The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-16
FRIDAY MORNING, FEB. l6. 1917.
I1AMSTRINGlNG THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY.

but their minds were blinded for unto this day
remaineth the same vail untaken away
1t not pleasant duty to critcise; it is far more
agreeable to indulge in words Of commentator and
praise when speaking Of our fellowmen.
But the action Of majority Of the Montana state
senate-a bipartisan majorty-in voting yesterday
for the repeal Of the primary law. the most powerful
weapon now possessed by the people Of this state.
and newspaper in this state, that believes in the rule
Of the people as against the rule Of invisible govern
ment.
Only few short years ago. the Republican
party was all powerful and nvincibe in state and
nation. The people trusted its progressive leader
ship and year after year returned it to power with
overwhelming majorities.
In 1904. the Republican party swept the nation
by popular plurality of 100000. carrying the
presidential electors in 81 states to the Democrats
IL. all in the solid SOUTH
That year, in total vote of $1,000. the Repub-
lcan electoral ticket in Montana was given plural
iy Of over 5000. carrying every county in this
state except three
/. Last November. the Democratic electoral ticket
carried Montana by more than $4,000 plurality
and received plurality vote in every one Of the 4
counties in Montana, with one single exception.
There must be some reason for this humiliang
reversal Of public confidence in the great historical
party. that first came into power as the champion
OF the rights Of the masses against long time en-
trenched special privilege.
Such change in public sentiment cannot be ac-
counted for by the law Of chance.
The stream can rise no igher than its source and
political organizations cannot retain the confidence
Of the Masses unless the leadership is such as to in
spire confidence in the masses
Speaking plainly that is the trouble with the Re-
publican party today. When its national organi-
cation tell under the control Of men in whom the
rank and file did not have confidence, they could
not longer be brought TO its support
When the Republican party control in Montana
fell into the hands Of men who sought to use it fo
purposes of trade and barter for their own use anc
personal GAIN by delivering it over as the pawn ane
cats paw Of invisible government in Montana, tn,
voters repudated it at the polls
With the present almost complete subsdization o
the Democratic machine in this state to the use ane
benefit of special interests the Republican party on
had to step out into the open as the champion o
the square deal in state affairs 10 again become tn
majority party in Montana.
The present legislative session presented an CD
lican membership. such as rarely comes TO poltca
organization in long term Of years
We believe that large majority of its member
ship is clean handed and were ready and anxious t.
support and follow intelligent, unselsh Leadership
Of forward looking men.
-Four years ago. the people Of this state, vexe
and exasperated by the steady refusal Of con,role
legislatures TO enact legislation that would prevcr
the control OF nominations by both political partie
for the important Offices in the state. themseke
initiated and submitted for ratification or rejection q
the polls statewide primary law
AT the general election in 1912 the primary la,
was enacted by the people by vote Of about 43, 90
for and 10000 against. 1t was not perfect Law
nasmuch as it failed 10 include provision for III
voter expressing second choice in the matter {
nominations. but it was long step in the right d
rection. in giving the people themselves the right
say who should be their candidates. instead Of lea,
ing the question to be settled in back room COME
cnces by the representatives Of special privilege
But now comes a bipartisan majority of Il
Montana state senate. and votes for the repeal Of
measure that the people themselves had written in
the law Of the state by more than three to o,
majority.
Just q men in the Montana state senate til