The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-07-31
WEDNESDAY, JuLY2l. 1907.
DIXON AND PRAY.

gain partisan advantage by criticism
Of the policy of President Roosevelt
in dealing with the public land cues
ton, will not meet with success. The
preservation of the public domain for
home builders 10 the principal object
in view. The prosecution and punish.
ment of land grabbers are necessary
to secure this result.
The federal Officials charged with
the duty Of enforcing the land laws
may have made mistakes that caused
inconvenience and embarrassment to
bona fde settlers, but in most cases
their efforts to prevent fraudulent a..
QUESTION Of land have been justified
by the facts. There has been no in.
territorial injustice inflicted upon any.
one who showed q disposition to con
ply with the law.
In one of its recent articles relating
to this subject, the Butte Miner seeks
to reflect upon the loyalty Of members
of the Montana congressional delega.
ton by asking: Are Dixon and Pray
with the weet:?" 1t quotes extracts
from a speech delivered by Senator
Carter during the closing days OF the
last session of congress, in which the
administr alton Of the land laws by the
interior department was assailed. and
comments upon the fact that Senator
Dixon and Representative Pray have
not yet placed themselves on record in
this connection.
The Butte Miner is too blindly
partisan 10 give fair treatment to its
political opponents. II should know
that Senator Dixon and Representa-.
tive Pray have not yet had opportun.
ity to participate in legislation affect.
ing the disposition of the public do.
main, and any criticism Of their posi-.
ton in the matter is premature and
un~wsrrsnted. knowledge OF this fact
should suggest to the Butte Miner
that its partisan ammunition be kept
in reserve until there is proper occa-
siou for its use.
"Are Dixon and Pray with the
wes,?" ThatIquestion may be referred
to the voters lof Montana with conf.
dence as to.theln ature of their answer.
On two occasions.the merits of Senator
Dixon have been recognized by the
popular vote of his Onstituency, and
the bestowal Of senatorial honors wat
earned by public service that demon
str ated his lo~yaltyeto his home state
and other western communities. Mr.
Dixon's record :of four years in tn
house OF representatives demonstr ate'
that he was with the west'' al al
times, and there(is 70 probability tina
his record in the sen ate will be differ
emit.
Those who areIbest acquainted will
Representstive:Prsycare prepared Il
guarantee that he will be with tn
west" on everyOproposition which b
may be called upon Ito consider. l
has been the custom OF Mr.. Pray T.
consult with t%heipeople upon all ques
tions that affect their welfare, and I
Act in conformity with their desire
and instructions. His recent visits I
the various government irrigatio
projects that are of great importanc
TO . large numberloflhis constituent.
may be mentioned las an example {
Mr.. Prsy's endeavort to acquire il
formation thstswill enable him to b
with the west" whenever matters q
fecting this part of the country al
presented for consideration.
The Montana congressional deleg,
ton 10 q strong team, and each men
Der OF it will be with the vest unit
the end of his term.