Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-05-23
A POLITICS.


HOAASAS0A HOS 30 0oS W WA
/ pretty soon. The state id.
ministration is not an issue in the
coming election, except insofar a.
Gov. Dixon is trying to elect a
state legislature that will not be
hostile to him ~ was the last leg.
islature. It is our idea that the
best interests of the state would be
served by the election Of a demo-
cratic Legislature. So far rs the
senate is concerned that would in
volve a political revolution, not
likely to be brought about. Con-
ceding for the purpose of this ar
ticle that the next senate Of the
legislature will be republican in its
majority, we conceive that it is
for the interest Of the democratic
party and for the interest of the
state that it should be anti-Dixon
in its makeup.
This is true because the Dixon
program is calculated to check the
rising tide Of prosperity in this
state. 1t appeals to class preju-
dices. 1t proposes to readjust the
taxes of the state by increasing
the tax burden on the richer ele-
ments of our population and de-
creasing the tax levy on the poorer
classes of the population. This is
always a popular slogan among the
voters who do not think. To levy
new and higher taxes on corpora
tons is always a popular idea. But
when one comes to realize that all
taxes are finally paid by the con-
sumner of goods no matter who
first pays them, the popular slogan
of swat the rich mar loses its po-
tency. There is only one way to
lessen the burden of taxation on
the consumer, and that is to lessen
the amount of money levied.
Just now there is wide discussion
over the senatorial question. Both
political parties are at sea over the
nomination for this high office. In
the republican party the principal
contenders are Attorney General
Rankin and Carl Riddick, while
Senator Edwards and DR.. Lanstrum
are also discussed as probable can
didates. We think this a fair and
honest statement to make when we
say that none Of the republican can
didates mentioned have the united
support Of the republican party, or
measure up to the full qualifica-
tons expected of a party candi-
date.
The democrats are not much bet
ter off. No candidate for senator
has yet appeared who seems to
command a united party support.
Tom Stout Of Lewistown is pro
minently mentioned" as a candidate
for senator, though he has not for
mally announced himself for the
position. We think he is a good
man. Perhaps we may find a bet
ter candidate, and perhaps not. At
any rate a recent editorial Of his
printed in the Lewistown Democrat
has added interest from the fact
that SO many democrats are dis
GUESSING the possibility of the editor
of the Lewistown Democrat be-
coming a candidate for the senate.
He says:
THE recent announcement by
Attorney General Wellington D.
Rankin of his intention to seek the
republican nomination for United
States senator served to inject a
flip of interest into a situation
which has been somewhat moribund
for several weeks. Seldom, if ever,
before in the history of Montana
politics has a condition existed
similar to that which now obtains
with relation to the most exalted
office within the gift Of the voters.
Until the Rankin announcement,
there was but n openly avowed
candidate for the senatorship be-
fore the people. Even at this time,
Jim O'Connor of Livingston, is the
only democrat who has come out
openly and announced his receptiv-
ity for the honor of making the
race for and on behalf of the states
unterrified. Carl Riddick and At
torney General Rankin are now
pretty definitely in the race for the
republican honors. And while these
are all excellent gentlemen, the
state appears to be awaiting with
some interest further developments
in the situation
aT. A. -~-.L1-.- ---i. f.