The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-10-03
REPUBLICAN, COUNTY TICKET.
FIRST GET THE LEGISLATURE.

FIRST GET THE LEGISLATURE.
During the past few weeks there has
been considerable discussion in the
state republican press as to the party
choice for United States sen to
succeed Senator w. A.. Clark, the
friends and admirers of each as~pirant
showing more or less cOmmendable
zeal on behalf Of their favorite. It
appears to the River Press, however,
that such discussion at this time is
premature and profitless-the first or
der Of business being the election OF a
republican majority to the tenth legis.
lative assembly. When that task shall
have been accomplished, the merits
Of senatorial aspirants can be given
proper considers alton.
There is every reason to believe that
the tenth legislative assembly will be
republican, provided republican voters
are alive to the situation and are pre-.
pared to meet it.; but it will require
earnest and persistent work during
the campaign to secure the election of
a majority of legislative candidates
OF the republican faith. A brief re.
view Of the conditions of two years
ago will form an instructive object
lesson.
There wal a Roosevelt tidal wave
throughout the country in 1904. even
Missouri going republican. Montana
was in the republican column to the ex-
tent OF over $4,000 majority for republic
can presidential electors, but in the
state legislature the political situa.
ton was as follows: Senate-Repub.
licans ]6: democrats 10. House-Re.
publicans IS: democrats 81. On Joint
ballot for United States senator the
republicans had only a majority OF
ten, which a be changed to a mi.
nority by the loss Of six members at
the coming election.
At the general election of this
year, successors will be chosen to six
teen state senators whose terms are
about to ~expire-nine of whom are re.
publicans and seven democrats. For
the house OF representatives, q full
quota OF y members is to be elected.
In view of the comparatively small
republican majority in the ninth leg
islatlve assembly under tidal wave
conditions, it is evident that Montana
republicans must put up a strong fight
to hold their position and, If possible,
increase their Legislative majority.
The situation, unfortunately, is com.
pllcated by II Legislative apportion-
ment that does not fairly represent the
various counties affected. There is a
constitutional requirement that the
membership OF the house OF represen.
ta.ives shall be apportioned among
the several counties in proportion to
their popul alton, the latest federal
census to be the basis of such appor
tionment. This constitutional require.
ment having been di>regarded by the
eighth and ninth Legislative assem-.
b1ies. several counties have greater
power and influence 10 the state legis.
lature than counties OF larger popula.
ton, and the political complexion o
the assembly is not representative o
the true sentiment of a majority O
Montana citizens.
A few illustrat atoms OF the iniustic,
perpetrated by the present obsolet,
and iudefensible apportionment vii
make the situation plain to the aver
age voter:
Meagher county, according to III.
federal census of 1900, had a popula
ton of 1926, and has two members il
the house of representatives-or on,
for 1898 citizens of that part of Mon
tana. Carbon county, at the sam,
census, was credited with a p~opulatio,
Of 1858 people, but has only on,
member in the house OF representa-
tives. 1t thus happens that 1903 citi
zens of Meagher county have as mucl
representation and influence in tn,
house, and have about as much vote,
IN the election of q United States sen
ator, as 1858 citizens of Carbon couu
ty.
Another striking instance of unequa