The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1916-12-22
RURAL DISTRICTS
NOT REPRESENTED

That other rural districts in the state
of Montana are not satisfied with the
treatment received from the larger
cities of the state, in the matter of
representation in political offices, is
shown by the following article from
the Cascade Courier. Cascade is a
thriving town in Cascade county, with
an exceptionally rich and growing
country district tributary to it. Great
Falls is the county seat and that city
appears to be even more hoggish than
the city of Missoula, if that is pos
sible. The Courier says:
Several of the leading newspapers
of the state are advocating a re-dis-
tricting of Montana into congressional
districts, This surely should be done.
At the November election both of our
representatives in congress were elected
from the same city and in the extreme
corner Of the state.
At the same time, it appears to the
Courier that the legislature should de-
wise new laws so that all of the state
should be represented in that body.
AS 1t is now only the county seats
which are generally the largest towns
in the county are represented, or at
least that is the case in majority of
the counties. Cascade county, for in
stance, elects six representatives to
the legislature. Everyone of these
representatives. are residents of Great
Falls. AS consequence the greater
area of the county is without repre-
sentation whatsoever. 1t is not fair
to the country communities and the
laws should be righted.
The law as it now stands provides
one representative in the legislature
for every 4,500 population. According
to that Cascade county is shy about
two representatives., as the city of
Great Falls claims population of over
$4,000. But unless the present law is
changed, one or two more represent
atives from this county will not help
the country outside of the county seat,
but will only give that city the privi-
lege of taking care of two more office
seekers. For the last election there
were in the neighborhood of $4,000
registered voters in this county. Great
Falls alone had close to 1000 of the
voters, so it can readily be seen why
the country districts cannot be repre-
sented in the state legislature.
In the election of county commits
sioners, the laws are just as unfair as
for representation in the legislature.
This should also be made more equit-
able for the same reasons-the larger
cities always have the board of COM
missioners and the country districts
cannot secure what is their just right.
In Cascade county all three members
of the board are elected from Great
Falls. The same in Lewis & Clark,
and we suppose in Silver Bow, Beaver
head, Fergus, Hill, Valley and other
counties that have large cities and the
controlling vote of their respective
counties.
1t is not fair, The laws should be
changed and the state re-districted for
congressman and the counties should
be made into legislative and commits
sioner districts.
The country press might take this
matter up and possibly enough support
may be secured from members of the
legislature to have these laws shaped
so that all of the people of the state
may be represented in congress, in the
state legislature and on the boards of
county commissioners.