The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-03-31
DUCKLING VERSUS
LAME DUCK.

The literary campaign is still on. but
the spring drive for the city hall is
about over and as the gas and smoke
from the big bombs, hurled from each
side, are dispensing, the campaign
camouflage does not appear to be much
different from that of former elections
under the commission form of govern
ment. Each candidate and his close
friends have, as usual, done their best
to accomplish the defeat Of their ia
yorite, and the only obstacle to the de-
feat of both OF them will be the voters,
who must make a choice, even against
their will.
AS heretofore the candidate who has
received a majority vote from certain
portions of the city has been accused,
without reservation, of having So
cialistic tinge, and of having the secret
and insidious support Of one Jim Wal
lace. The /. w. w. menace, which
has been recently discovered as the
best political dope, has been added for
good measure. Why, even Tom Kemp
had to carry this handicap two years
ago in his race against BIZ Houston,
besides many other nice things which
were said about him. Believing, ap-
parently that this sort Of campaign
ing was the secret OF his success at
the polls. Tom, so it Is rumored is
now using his humble efforts for Bill
Houston in appreciation OF the serv-
ices thus rendered. On the other hand
the candidate who was SO unfortunate
as to receive a plurality of the votes
in another. section has been charged
absolutely with having a capitalistic
hue, and that he is subservient to spe-
cial interests.
Notwithstanding all this political
hurrah. our good friend, Bill Houston,
was compelled two years ago to seek
admission to the lame duck squad of
Missoula, whose most prominent and
active members are now showing their
lack Of confidence in him by attempt
ing to expel him from this peaceabie
organization.
In justice to both candidates, / be-
lieve that the grateful people of Mis-
soula appreciate that the previous
record OF Bill Houston as sheriff and
chief of police has been at least as
good as that of the other distinguished
citizens who have served in the same
capacities. However l am not aware
that any special insignia has ever been
conferred upon him, or that any monu-
after his demise, nor that the federal
authorities have any intention OF
pressing him into service so that tbs
I. w. w. who intend to migrate from
Seattle to New York will seek a route
via Canada or Mexico
Bill Mopre's record, wherever he has
worked In recent years, has been sat
isfactory, but not above the average
and he has never participated in the
Carnegie Hero Fund. nor is it claimed
that he is indispensable to the police
department of this city, and there is ne
assurance that in case of his election
we will or will not have l. W. w
troubles. But let us hope that who
ever is elected will enforce the laws
impaftially and that with the cooper
alton of the sheriffs office, who are
equally bound to enforce peace, any
such troubles, which inevitably occur
under any and all administrations viii
be properly handled.
In conclusion. l believe, that after re
moving the camouflage. this is again {
race between the lame duck, whose fu
turc is In the past, and the duckling
whose past is in the future. Take you
choice.
A MODERATE TAXPAYER.