The Western news. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1890-1977, 1910-11-04


close, although skirmishing will con-
tinue all along the line until the bat
tie OF the ballots begins at s o'clock
Tuesday morning.
In marked contrast to the situation
that obtains in most states, where the
hosts of insurgency and progress are
arrayed against the reactionaries and
standpatism, general apathy reigns
throughout Montana. but little inter-
est being manifested as to the outcome
This is one of the quietest campaigns
in the history of the state.
This condition must be due to gen.
eral knowledge of the fact that the po-
litical departments of the Anaconda
opper Mining company and allied cor
porate interests absolutely controlled
the state and three-fourths of the
county conventions of both political
the nomination of the legislative tick
cts. The corporations don't care much
who executes the laws, so long as they
are permitted to make them. In ex-
planation of the possibility of such
state of affairs one need only to recall
the constant boast of the Amalgated
newspapers-which include all of the
daily and many of the weekly papers
of the state-that the Anaconda Cop
per Mining company employs $4,000
men" in the copper mines of Butte, the
Anaconda and Great Falls and in the
sawmills and woods of Ravalli, Mis-
soula, Flathead, Sanders and Lincoln
counties-two years ago the total vote
of Montana was but 10000. Employ
ing all these men, controlling the
press, the banking power, great mer-
camille establishments and various 9TH
er interests, is it any wonder that a
little group of financiers snugly en-
sconced at 26 Broadway, New York,
control the destiny of the Treasure
state?
Everybody knows that the Amalga-
mated influence prevented the demo-
cratic state convention at Livingston
from indorsing an Independent candi-
date for United States senator and
everybody knows that the same in
terests caused the republican state
convention at Missoula to stand pat in
support of Senator Carter and Con-
gressman Pray-both of whom had SO
faithfully served the system in
congress.
AS to results, one thing is abso-
lutely certain: The Anaconda Cop
per Mining company will control both
branches of the legislature by an ov-
erwhelming majority, as usual, and
will either elect Tom Carter or an
Amalgamated democrat to the senate.
Incidentally, the company will enact
whatever legislation it chooses The
prospect Is that Charley Hartman, who
is a real insurgent, will defeat Stand
pat Charley Pray for congress. Ow-
ing to the peculiar situation that ex-
lists in Butte, hitherto the Gibraltar
of democracy, the probability is that
Carter will be reelected to the SEN
ate. The 13 members from Silver Bow
county, together with those from the
rockribbed republican "cow counties, y
and the holdovers and pickup" from
about the state, will doubtless enable
Carter to turn the trick" 1t happens
that in Butte what white miners are
left are in g rebellious mood. Already
5000 "bohunks" have taken the places
of as many Irish and Cornish miners
and there are $500 empty houses in
the big camp. Incidentally, possibly
for the purpose, the democratic leg
islative ticket is top-heavy with Am
algamated nominees. Harry Gall
way, superintendent of the Parrott
mine and one of the chief Amalgamat-
ed lobbyists is running for the senate
and Roy Ally, President John D. Ryan's
private secretary, for the house. Only
one of the 13 is miner. On the other
hand, the republican ticket presents
a fairly Independent lineup. Hence be
prepared for surprise in Butte.
Another important office to be filled
is that of chief justice of the supreme
court. Judge Theodore Brantley, who
has served II years, is a candidate fol-
a third term. There are three Other
candidate-Judge Cheadle of Lewis
town and Judge Clements and John B