The Montana nonpartisan. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1918-192?, 1919-01-18
HELENA H|GHb|NDERS H0RR|F|ED
RESORT TO EVERY TRICK IN PACK
LEAGUERS LISTEN AND LAUGH
.eaguers Open Forum Caucus, Working Havoc
With Gangs Nerve

The sixteenth legislature of the
state of Montana opened a few
days ago with a bright promise
for the future. This promise did
not lay as the gang press said in
what was foreshadowed by the
governors speech, but in the fact
that the Nonpartisan league del
egation were present for the first
time in the history of this state.
The governors speech tinged
as it was with pompos phrases
and half hidden threats showed
plainly the apprehension and ner.
vousness with which the Copper
crowd are filled and indeed there
is every reason for their feeling
for the presence of sixteen far
mer-labor members pledged and
determined to make good their
pledge to the League member
ship, brings no comfort to the
mind Of the professional politi-
clan.
The gang press also has de-
voted a large portion Of it's space
and a great deal Of black-faced
type in an endeavor to persuade
the general public that the Lea
que delegation went to pieces the
first day Of the session and that
it exists no more. 1t does not
matter that these stories are alb
holutely false, they merely show
the desperate straits which the
copper crowd find themselves in,
and it must give them a great
deal of pain to realize that in
spite of all their treacherOus ink
spilling, the League caucus is
held every night in proper busi-
ness like manner with minutes
kept by the recording secretary
and open to the suggestions and
discussion from all who are in
terested.
Introducing Bills.
The governors speech foreshadows
4 good deal Of legislation which the
Copper crowd hope to get through
and against which a good deal Of op-
position is expected. He for in
stance, told the legislature in so many
words that county divisions by legis-
ative enactment would not be tol-
Grated. He further stated that po-
ice force should be enlarged and en-
powered to do all sorts of things the
Copper company desire and under the
spacious excuse of combating an
archy recommended legislation for
The purpose of destroying the princi-
pal weapon of organized labor in
strike periods. The response to this
demand was so sudden that it is said
notoriety hunters fairly swarmed
around the door of the committee room
in order to be first to present this
bill. The welcome task (from poll
tician's point of view fell to Wash.
ington j. Mccormick of Missolula
who gave notice of introducing a bill
which would even make, if the origi.
nal draft is not modified, the wear.
ing of the "We'n Stick" Button q
criminal offense punishable by one
year in the penitentiary.
Gang After Supreme Court.
Since the election of Chas. H. Coop.
er to the supreme court, the Copper
crowd have felt that they were not
likely to receive any favors in that
direction and that cases coming be.
fore the chief tribunal would be ad.
Judged on the merit involved and moi
with an eye to pleasing the sixth
floor of the Hennessy Building. They
now therefore give notice of the in.
PRODUCTION of bill intended to en-.
large the supreme court by two, hop
ing thereby it is suspected to upset
the present status by electing some.
one more favorable to Copper than t.
The administration of justice.
Memorial introduced.
The house and senate both voiced
their sorrow tOr the sudden demise Of
Colonel Roosevelt by adjourning fol
the day and by the introduction Of
resolutions and memorials comment.
ing on the same. The women mem.
bers also gave notice of introducing
to the United States Con.
gress supporting the woman's suf.
frage amendment while someone from
Butte put forward the idea of the
freedom of Ireland, at which the
house laughed.
The League Delegation.
The moment that the League
delegation appeared at Helena,
the gans press began its campaign
of abuse and villification. 1t en-
deayorpd to create the impression