The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-01-30
STRONGLY SUGGESTS A JOB"

- fNA - VI
defined plan to play into the hands of
the railroads under the pretense of an
honest endeavor to comply with the
wishes of the people, is not quite clear
at this distance, but it looks suspi-
cious that a member of the legislature
should seriously offer a bill for a
railroad commission containing the
identical provision which caused the
one two years ago to be vetoed by the
governor. The gentleman may be
sincere, but the fact that in his meas
ure it is provided that the commits
sioners shall be named by the legisia-
ture and shall hold over general cleo
lions needs explaining.
Without any wish to enter into a
controversy relative as to who pos
sesses the appointive power, the gov
ernOr or the legislature, it is still APP
parent that the authors of the bill
under consideration would go too far.
Manifestly some motive hat does not
appear on the face of the matter is
prompting him. 1t is either his wish
to prevent Legislation while pretend.
ing to assist in it's enactment, or he
is DESTROYS of providing jobs for some
of his friends. Whichever side of the
proposition is accepted, it does not
rebound to the credit of the distin-
guished author of the measure, who
ever he may be. The Office of railroad
commissioner is created for the bene-
fit OF the people, not, as he seems to
think, for the purpose of creating ad.
ditional offices to reward men for
political work, and they should have
something to say concerning who shall
fill it.. OF course, it will be necessary
to make appointments temporarily,
but under no circumstances should
the appointee, whether by the COVER
nor or the legislature, hold over be-
You'd the first general election. Human
judgment is faulty and often errs.
Regardless of promises and public
opinion, the men appointed may not
come up to expectations, and provis.
ion should be made to retire them al
the earliest possible moment. II, or
the other hand, they prove themselves
competent and satisfactory they need
have no fear to 60 before the people
and ask election.
The question is tOO serious and i'm
portant to make it Il thing for use b,
politicians to pay political debts. Thu
people believe they have a g~rievanc
against the railroads and are demand
ing relief from the only source avail
able to them-the legislature-whicl
body they ask to create an institution
to which they may appeal with conf
dence that whatever MEASURE OF relic
is due them will be granted. The,
care nothing for politics or politician
J and will resent any attempt to max
their necessity the plaything Of me
whose ideas do not ove a create
range than is comprised in bar roor
politics and the tricks OF ward manil
ulators. Better have no commissio
than one of the sort suggested by tn
. bill now in mind.
The Gazette believes that there ar
enough honest and sincere member
: in the legislature to thwart any sue
| scheme as the one under review.
= has confidence in them and feels sur
thatlwhen the right time comes the
. will rise superior to the tricks an
lures Of those who would betray til
trust reposed in them and see tn;
. every promise given the people
: faithfully kept. The republican III,
, jority in the legislature stands pledge
D to the enactment Of an honest Law
t That pledge must be kept, unless it
the wish to wreck the party and asai
give control of the state to the demo
Gratis. with all that that implies
Billings Gazette.
I The genuine black finish for iron {