The Washington times., 1911-02-13
Democratic Candidate Leads,
But Amalgamated Men
Are Opposed.
FIGHT PREDICTED IN
ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
Several Republicans Say They Will
Desert Carter If Any Demo-
Gratis Vote for Him.
By ROBERT W. WoOLEY.

HELENA, Feb. 1S-Montana's Sena-
torial situation has reached a stage
where anything may happen, but where
no election seems likely to be the final
outcome.
T. j. Walsh, for whom the Demo-
Gratis declared at the polls, still main
tains a decided lead among the leGis-
iators of his own party, and states
positively that he has no idea of with
drawing in favor of anyone else.
Pressure of all sorts has been brought
to bear on him, but It is Invariably
traced to the Amalgamated Copper
Company. which has number of rep
Tesentatives on the scene working like
beavers, with the sole object of down
ing Walsh.
This company lets it be known freely
that it considers defeat in this cleo
tion would be most disastrous So
strenuously has it spread the propa-
Eanda of corporation control in poll
tics, protesting the while that It longs
to retire from the campaign, that one
is almost persuaded II voices the Mon
tana frame of mind.
Investigation in other parts of the
State, however shows feeling against
very great. In Butte and Silver Bow,
for instance. which have eleven repre-
sentatives in the legislature, and where
the Amalgamated is absolutely supreme
there is resentment among the voters
against the manner in which this giant
concern has prevented its representa-
tives from entering a caucus to agree
upon a Democratic candidate.
Refuse to Sign Caucus Call.
The Democratic State committee held
a meeting in this city last week and
adopted a resolution strongly urging the
Democratic legislators to enter a con-
ference, with the view, ultimately, of
holding caucus and ending the contest
A caucus call had already been In circu-
latiOn. but the Amalgamated's repre-
sentatives declined to sign II, though it
was not to become effective until fifty
one names had been secured. They
openly declare that the action of the |
State committee is a matter of indiffer- !
enCe to them and that under no cir
CumStanCes will they support Walsh. The |
only complaint they have against him, !
by the way, is that he has persistenly |
refused to accept retainer as an at |
torney, and all efforts to control him |
otherwise have been without avail.
Those Democrats who decline to en- |
withdraw in the interest of the party" !
said Mr.. Walsh to the writer today. !
IF I did | would be unfaithful to the |
trust reposed in me by, the voters of |
Amalgamated seem to consider that |
thwarting the will of the people is a
virtue, and that in trying to obey It I |
am am guilty Of q crime Their threats
afford to deadlock the Legislature,
thereby denying Montana half of its
representation in the United States Sen
ate for the next two years. l can afford
blame"
Five Democrats to Vote for Carter.
What the Amalgamated is really try
ing to do is to re-eIect Thomas II. Car
ter. The latter's friends have declared
loudly that he will never return to
Washington with the aid of Democratic
votes, but such talk is regarded by
those who are in q. position to know as
a joke. Five Democrats, two Of whom
are from Silver Bow county and two
from Lewis and Clark county. of which
Helena is the county seat, have
agreed to go over to Carter, and only
an opportune moment is awaited for
consummation of the deal The Repub-
through before now, but that three of
their own members have warned them
that the minute a Democrat casts his
vote for Carter they will vote for
some one else. Inasmuch as the Repub-
1ican strength is only forty-eight as
compared to fifty-thTee for the Demo-
Gratis, such action would be disastrous.
The Democrats have decided that the
minute break from party lines Is evil
dent they will march out of the Assem-
bly, Chamber, dragging with them any
members of their party who try to re-
main and preserve a quorum. This
would be likely to cause free fight,
but little thing like that doesn't count ;
In Montana.
House May Not Receive Senate.
There is not going to be a repetition
of the Clark scandal of twelve years
and ten years ago, If these men can
help it, The sergeant alarms of both
the house and senate are Democrats,
and, of course, they will refuse to ar
rest the bolting legislators.
Another plan which may be reSorted
to is for the house TO refuse to receive {
the senate in joint assembly the day it I
becomes evident that any coup is to be s
attempted.
The speech of Senator Root. of New .
York, in the Lorimer case at Washing
ton last week made a profound impress :
sion in Helena. Democrats fatty declare
that charges and an investigation would
follow a Republicans election, and the '
fight woUld be carried to Washington. ]
Many letters and kilograms have been
received by the Democratic members
from prominent Democrats in other |