The river press., 1910-08-31
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 81, 1910.
MACHINE POLITICS.

MACHINE POLITICS.
According to advices from New
York, there is merry political war
in the Empire state between the ma
chine politicians of the republican
party and those who resent machine
methods. In New York, ss in many
other states, the machine is controlled
by Office holders or Office seekers who,
by shrewd management, generally suc'
ceed in their plans, but on this oc'
cssion they have bumped against
Theodore Roosevelt, formid able Oh.
stscle that threatens to cause them
trouble and distress.
The press dispatches that give news
of the controversy are to the effect
that the New York republican machine
turned down the suggestion or request
Of Mr.. Roosevelt that the party plat
form shouldifavor the en- actment of q
direct prima ary law. A further humili.
alton for the ex.president was forth.
coming in the refusal Of the machine
politicians to name him as the temper.
ary presiding officer of the republican
state convention-an exhibition of per.
sonal dislike that has aroused the re.
sentiment of Mr.. Roosevelt's friends
throughout the state. The result will
be battle royal between the New
York machine politicians and the re-
publicans who object to their methods,
with prospects ofisuccess in favor of
the latter.
The political lmachine is working
twenty.four hour shifts in various
parts Of the country at the present
time, control of the nominating con-
ventions being the principal object in
view. If.theI machine can name the
candid stes, the most important part
of its program is completed. A direct
primary law, under which the voters
of each party select their own candi.
dates, would practically retire ma.
chine politics to the background, and
is consequently opposed by political
bosses and strikers employed by them.
The political machine is entrenched
behind the convention method of nomi-
mating the candidates of each party in
Montana and is now in active oper.
alton. The machinery of each party
is generally believed to be controlled
by Influences that seek selfish ends,
and which--unless the mechanism be-
comes Observation-Disclosures the nomi-
nees for the more important offices.
Political gossip credits the republi-
can machine with interference in poll
tical affairs in Chouteau county, to
the extent of naming the republican
candidate for state senator. The story
is to the effect tn at the present incum.
bent is not satisfactory to the einhuences
controlling theSmachine, and in order
TO remove him from the race his
friends are promised that he shall be
nominated for the Office of state rail.
road commissioner.
The River Pressiis not informed as
to Mr.. Everett's wishes in the m after,
but his friends have reason to regard
the scheme with suspicion. AS men,
Der OF the state railroad commission,
we believe Mr.. Everett would perform
valuable service to his constituency
but under the circumstances there is
very little chance of his nomin alton
for that important Office.
1t is the purpose of Chouteau county
republicans to urge and support the
denomination of Hon. Charles N
Pray for congress, and in this en-
deavor they will doubtless meet with
success. With a Chouteau county
man at the head of the state ticket
would it not be regarded as presump
tion on the part of Chouteau county
republicans to seek the nomin alton O
another candidate from this localit,
for an Office to which several residents
Of other parts of Montana aspire?
MIR. Everett, as representative ant
state sen ator from Chouteau county
has made an excellent record, and il
the opinion of this newspaper his re
nomin alton and reelection would re
feet credit upon Chouteau county re
publicans.