The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1913-03-17
AN INSIDE VIEW

The Fergus County Democrat prints a letter, written a
The request of its editor by Representative Drinkard. Thi
etter is in review Of the work Of the Thirteenth ASSEMBLY
With special reference to the defeat of the Drinkard high
bill, one of the best road laws ever suggested, but
discusses some of the general conditions which prevailed
1t the legislature and is worth reading. Mr.. Drinkard il
these paragraphs from his review constitute an excelen
characterization OF the session S methods:
na unnhs 1 0'he1 n sessions ssnn n OF the S legislature 4nms u the t division h%ta non ns the
represented in the house and three Elm the senate. but there were but
me side of the battle line stood those who represented the general
mated Copper company and other large large Corporate interests @t 'o of t he" state
fsTss,a f tn mas sm in tn rh past tr beer controlled Mt lied by the large corporate in,
c "sSlS for OF w th sea Statutes ts of rf the sss 1f TN .nu ts Goneer ms a ave been "ena wei vel
demanding much e legislation at the hands of the Thirteenth
to hold what they had already gobned. The Representatives of these
the fort two years hence depended upon 1, heir ' being %: able % 4%" p"t
faithfully to that end, and I must admit that, in the MAN. aSS thy y' ae1
6omp.s1 Sy a '0 nwn nu,p@ %f ,M The n eorp Sma rnsrs were n represented in both
that could be desired by able corporation attorneys.
1 People sa nearly "a n',n all Of them hem tnexpersnesa in the arts n wnes of poll
honest. earnest and determined. They knew what they wanted They
to the at They wrote their aG " OWN s Speeches esf~ mo spee an t"4 rsse sp u
If hey 20 any legal assistance in drawing their bills, had to pay for it =.
e,s T E p "osasss ,un met s5. their 1 first d. defeat wx when DR.; Macdonald as
h hell the evening before the house was organized. In the caucus,
"a "a vote saen in the re- house "set the progressive democrats felt morally obligated
fatal misfortune to the progressive cause. He ws a reactonary of the
Ia IL the committees and to determine t. Which Committee lite e 1~h hin u
should o. No speaker should be permitted to exercise these two
There "a but n party caucus held during the entire session and
TIT writer hopes it will prove to be the last n ever to be held in
the state. Party caucuses are undemocratc. They invariably mean
the rule OF the minority
To m mind n of the most bnoxious wills hiatt ese+ or 1a.,.,,
W. BODY was TIL presence OFFS so many lobbyists a the capital. These
oppysts bring a tremendous influence to bear upon the members Of
I ne legislature They throng the Hobbies Of the hotels frequented by
ne members of the legislature gather in the corridors and cloak
rooms OFT tn capitol button holng the members every time thew leave
ther seats. n frequently enter he floor of h house m IN
senate n plead With the members a. their seats. right Mt HI tima
"hen the Votesa ar being taken. These lobbyists are men OF ability
IN veil 1nforned upon the subjects upon which they attempt to in
fluence the members. The legislator hears but me side oft the mes
uoh argued. n public, the great majority of the people If the state.
nave n lobbyists there Their side of the question is o presented to
TN w-mak h natural result is but little legislation in the in
terest Of the general public. The thing must be stopped before W e
may hope fol much just legislation.