The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1917-03-30
NEW FACTOR IN
BUTTE POLITICS
WILLIAM MALONEY'S ACHIEVE.
MENT SETS OLD TIME POLL.
TICIANS TALKING.
Distances Field of Ten Competitors,
Including Mayor Charles HI. Lane,
Considered Strong Candidate;
Polled Ten Times as Many Votes
as Socialist.

Is a new political sun rising in
Butte? William H. Maloney, brill
liant young attorney of the mining
metropolis, in field of ten candi-
dates, won the nomination for may
or on the democratic ticket in the re-
cent municipal primary by vote so
overwhelming as to set the old poll
ticians talking.
He received nearly twice as many
votes as Mayor Charles H. Lane, the
runner up, and who was considered
as strong candidate to succeed him
self. Maloney also received more
than ten times as many votes as Dun
can, former socialist mayor, who was
running alone on the socialist ticket,
and who, in the old days, was strong
with the miners. Aside from the
Lane vote Maloney received as many
votes as all the other Democratic
candidates combined.
Made Phenomenal Race.
The result was somewhat of sur
prise to those who figure prominent
ly in municipal politics in the big
mining city, although it was general
ly conceded that Maloney was a
strong candidate and was putting up
a most effective campaign. But even
the most sanguine supporters of his
organization, while strong in the be-
lief that he would be nominated, did
not expect him to put up the phenom-
inal race that he did. Butte is the
democratic stronghold of the state,
and the Maloney vote would indicate
that he has considerable more than
fair chance of finishing the contest
with success.
Maloney's friends point to the fact
that Butte's chief eXecutivesh1p.
when the incumbent is man of abil-
ity, has been the stepping stone of
strong men to higher places in epo-
litical preferment. Lee Mantle went
from the mayors chair to the leader
ship of the republican party, and
was shortly afterwards elected Unit
ed States senator. John Macginniss,
after he had been elected mayor,
went to the legislature, and was
strong contender for the United
States senatorship. Many others
who have filled the mayors chair
have gone on to higher places in the
states political scheme of things.
The mayor of Butte presides over the
destinies of 100000 people, one
sixth of MOntana's population, and
he is by far the states most import
ant municipal executive.
Is Successful Lawyer.
William Maloneys rise has been
rapid. He spent his boyhood in
Butte, attended the Butte schools,
studied law, was admitted to the bar,
and although young man, has be-
come one of the city's most success
full lawyers.
His platform was unique and eff
fective. He promised, if elected,
that coal will be sold throughout the
city at 1000 pounds to the ton, also
that 16 ounces net will mean a
pound. He promises vigorous and
unceasing prosecution of the indi-
vidual or corporation dealing with
false weights and measures. He
promises also to reduce, wherever
possible, the high prices of farm pro-
ducts, which may mean that he is
in favor of the establishment of a
public market, where the producer
and consumer can get together, and
in which the rural population of the
statewould be very much Interested.
He also has declared for a strict en-
forcement of all laws.