The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-05-27

Glass, erstwhile member of the legis-
lature, with heavy load of political
aspiration. He suffered something of
an eclipse when defeated as a candi-
date fer congress in the primaries two
years ago, and is not running for any
thing this year. His fondness for the
limeight is probably responsible for
the latest flash light view bringing
him into prominence.
Mr.. Glass makes somewhat vicious
attack on Senators Crawford and
Gamble. Because their course in the
present congress has not been to his
liking he proceeds to read them out of
the ranks of progressive republicans
and brands them as traitors to the
cause.
There is presumption for even Mr..
Glass. Even if the facts fully war
rant his conclusions, which the do not:
it is ill-advised to say the least, to IL
ject, in the closing days of the pri-
mary, further discord into the pro-
gressive ranks, alreaday suffering from
too much self-imposed leadership. Mr.
Glass has laid his Judgment open to
severe criticism If not his motives to
suspicion.
Senators Crawford and Gamble are
not issues in this campaign. Their
course has not been clearly under
stood or entirely satisfactory to the
progressives of South Dakota. But
there has been much misrepresenta-
tion in the opposition newspapers
which has created impressions not
warranted by the facts. Both contend
that they have been voting, according
to their best judgment, in the inter-
ests of the people of this state, and
for progressive reform legislation as
they see it. Mr.. Crawford in recent
dispatches has declared that he is as
strongly progressive as ever and is
ready to defend his record as against
accusations tie the contrary when op-
portunity affords. In view of this
and the fact that the senatorships
are in no wise an issue in this cam
paign, it would only be fair to Sena-
tors Gamble and Crawford to wait I'M
til the session is over, the returns all
in and their defense against criticisms
weighed before passing judgment
against them, and reading them out
of the progressive ranks. Mr.. Gam
ble's successor will be chosen in two
years and Mr.. Crawfords four years
hence. This will give ample time to
carefully weigh both, and if either is
found wanting the progressive re-
publicans of South Dakota will reckon
with them. But for Mr.. Glass to as
sumo this responsibility now is nei-
Their just nor political wisdom. There
by he plays into the hands of those he
processes to be opposing, helping them
to befog the main issue.
The chief concern of the people of
South Dakota today is how they shall
be represented in the lower house of
the next congress. They can touch
this and cannot now touch the senate.
They have been misrepresented in
the present session by Martin and
Burke, in their support of Cannon
and Cannonism. These men are ask
ing reelection on a platform which is
wholly silent On this vital matter.
Thorson and Schrader stand equivo-
cally on platform of hostility there
to. Would-be progressive leaders
should use their ammunition in sup
porting them and not in firing back
into their own ranks. After the en-
gagement with the enemy is won it
will be time enough to reckon with
those who have been entrusted with
the leadership and have failed to
measure p.-Deadwood Telegram.