Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-03-08
Continued on Second Page.)
PLEDGE
IS REDEEMED
LEGISLATURE PASS.
ED EVERY MEASURE PRoMIs-
ED IN PARTY PLATFORM.

Representative George j. Wiedeman
returned home Saturday evening from
Helena. where he has been continu-
ously since the beginning of the legis-
lative session. In common with the
other two members of the assembly
from Fergus county, Speaker Hedges
and Senator J. u. Waite, Mr.. Wiede-
man made reputation for hard, con.
scientious work. He served as
member of several of the most import
ant committees, and was active on
the floor of the house from the begin
ming of the session.
"The Ninth legislative assembly,"
said Mr.. Wiedeman to the Argus to-
day, lis credited, now that it Is all
over, with having been one of the
hardest working bodies that has ever
assembled at Helena. In the sixty
days, over 400 measures were consid-
cred, and the scrutiny In many cases
| went to the minutest details. AS soon
as the members settled down to bust
ness, there was constant and car
nest effort to accomplish everything
possible for the state, and personally
l think the effort was crowned with
considerable success. Some OF the
hardest-perhaps the very hardest
work was done in committees, of which
the public heard little or nothing. The
committees were carefully selected by
Speaker Hedges in the house and by
a committee in the senate, and as
result of the quiet labor in the COM
mittee rooms, the steering committee
had but few measures to look after
when it took hold.
"The Republicans kept every pledge
made in the platform. They have CIV
en- the people an initiative and refer
endum measure. The Lieper bill.
which was passed, is, in my opinion,
the best of all the bills on that sub
ject that were introduced. It's provis-
ions are such that Silver Bow will
not be able to run the state, and,
while that may not be satisfactory to
some persons, believe it will be to
the majority of the people. We have
given them a Urinary election law.
The measure introduced by Senator
governors hands when left the cap
ital. This is a local option measure,
is no requirement forcing it upon the
people. We passed the fellow servant
bill, and the railway commission bill
is now in the hands of the governor.
This is committee measure, and
ought to give good satisfaction. The
committee worked on 1t for three
weeks, and every provision in it is
well considered. 1t is up to Gov.
Toole to say whether the state is to
have this law or not. The Republicans
in the legislature have done their
duty and il the governor sees fit to
veto, it the responsibility must rest
upon him and his party
I'm regard to the O'COnnor anti
gambling bill, about which consider.
able has been said, that measure was
considered impracticable by great
majority of the members from the
start. While the purpose was all
right, it's effect would have been to
make grafters out of all the officers
who could be approached, from con-
stables up. 1t would, practically, have
set premium on grating. This ia
tai defect was recognized by pretty
near all of the members. believe
that if those who have seen fit to crit
icize the members who voted against
the measure would only read it, they
would change their minds. That is
the great trouble How many of those
who signed the petitions and advocat-
ed the bill ever read it? Scarcely
any of them knew anything about it
more than the title, 'anti-gambling.'
Speaker Hedges made a splendid
record, and probably there has never
been a speaker who was SO liberal to
the minority. He was fair at all times
and won the esteem of all the men,
bers Of the house. irrespective Of
party"
Senator Waite has gone to Wash
ington and the east, and will not re-
turn to Lewistown for some time.
Speaker Hedges is still in Helena.
where he will spend few days with
his relatives, now that the work OF the
session leaves MIN free to enjoy
brief holiday.