Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-13
WHEELER'S
| TO BE PARTY LEADER.

III De FAM LEADCh.
livery INDICATION is tina
- B. K. Wheeler, United States
senator-elect from Montana, will,
become the acknowledged leader Of
the democratic party in this state
No man was ever sent to the
United States senate from this
commonwealth by a greater vote
of the people. In 1912, the first
year of electing United States SEN
ators by direct vote in Montana.
T. J. Walsh's plurality was scarce.
ly 1000; in 1916, Henry L. Myers
majority was 1000, and in 1918,
Senator Walsh was reelected by
5000 maj GRITTY. S%enator-elect
Wheeler's plurality is about H.
900.
Some contend that the senator
elects tremendous plurality was
due in part to the weakness of his
opponent; others say that it came
as a result Of the desire of Mon
tana voters to repudiate the Har-
ding administration, while still
others believe that thousands voted
for Wheeler because they thought
an injustice had been done him in
the campaign of 1920. No doubt
but that all of these conditions con-
tributed to his victory and none
of them can serve to challenge his
right to party leadership.
Those who are familiar with the
friendship that exists between T..
7. Walsh, who will be senior
tor from Montana after March 1
next, and Mr.. Wheeler, know that
nothing will be more pleasing to
Mr.. Walsh than to see party lead
ership vested in his young col
league. Senator Walsh is more of
a statesman than politician. He
probably spends less time fixing
his political fences" than any other
United States senator.
Though always willing to look
after his constituents, 1t is a well
known fact that Mr.. Walsh pur-
posely neglects to take advantage
of the many little opportunities a
senator has to make political thun-
der-such as followingq up letters
from his constituents with propa-
sanda about himself, or laying
awake nights %scheming political
maneuvers that would add to his
prestige, or directly or indirectly
soliciting newspapers to boost him.
Senator Walsh always has consid-
cred the dignity of his office above
this practice. He has even been
criticised by some of the members
of the democratic party for what
they termed his APATHY" toward
his own party organization.
For the last three years, Mr..
Wheeler, as a matter of defense
against the personal campaign
waged against him, has had to
travel this state building up an or
sanization of his own. In the
August primaries and on last cleo
ton day, he demonstrated the eff
fectiveness of that organization
and proved to the people OF the
state that it comprises more than
half of the democratic party. He
has won the right to claim the
party's leadership by the dint OF
his courage to fight through to
victory when a weaker man would
have quit rather than stand for the
villification that has been heaped
on him.
Mr.. Wheeler, in spite Of what
has been said Of him, is not at the
present time regarded as a radical.
He is a man of considerable prop
erty interest and considers the So
cialistic theories, which his oppo-
nents have accused him of possess
ing, as impractical and impossible
of attainment. He is {. progressive
democrat. Perhaps he is a bit more
progressive than some of his party,
but his strength within the party
would indicate that those who are
more conservative than he, are IN
the minority.
Mr.. Wheeler has an excellent
opportunity to build up the demo-
cratic party in Montana and The
Tribune believes he will be equal
10 the occasion.