Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1923-02-15

full time and attention, to work out
new system of taxation. For this
reason, if for no other, one is quite
unable to escape the conclusion that
his scheme to dominate solely the
operations of the tax commission is
founded on deliberate design to use
it for punitive rather than construc-
lively useful purposes. Thus far.
Governor Dixon has been able to
make many thousands of people in
Montana believe that he is fighting
the battle against the great vested
interests of the state. He has said
that he desired tax commission in
order that experts" might be Sc
lected thereon to work out plans for
more equitable distribution Of the
heavy burden of taxation which rests
upon the shoulders of our people. Be-
lieving him, the people voted q tax
commission.
Believing his promises to obtain the
services of experts or, at least
thoughtful, representative, competent
men, the state Legislative assembly
sustained his plea for substantial sal
aries for the tax commissioners.
Now, Governor Joseph NJ. Dixon
has repudiated his promises to the
people and to the legislative assem-
bly, by picking three amiable nonen-
titles for the places which were t.
be filled by experts" There Ii no
wonder that tears stood In the eyes
of some Of Dixon's more loyal friends
and supporters when the full effects
Of his treacherous act was brought
home to their consciousness. There
is no wonder that his enemies are
gleefully shouting; I'VE told you -"
There lis no wonder that indienattea
fills ths hearts 81 thoxs wfic have
striven to be fair toward the man
and his administration Of ths affainu
of our state government. Az IL con-
templates the utter failures Of kis
administration; his refusal seriously
to get behind any movement. looking
to more economical management Of
state affairs: the extravagances
which he has sanctioned In almost
every branch of the executive depart
ment; his demagogic appeal for more
taxes and still more taxes; his gran
diose fight against a lot of all~devour-
ing, imaginary foes; his tragic per-
sistency in the selection Of pin-headed
incompetents for responsible public
positions (there being of course, q
few exceptions) his inability to keep
faith with friends or to fight fairly
against an enemy, this newspaper
feels that it is altogether useless any
longer to hug the delusion that JOS
eph M. Dixon is fit to be governor
Of the commonwealth.
He entered the office with the fin
est opportunity ever vouchsafed any
Of our chief executives to render use
ful and conspicuous services to the
p&Dpit VI Nlohtdftdbs ftt Hab Dath
Of him the support and loyal good
wishes Of the vast majority of our
people, republicans and democrats.
All that he had to do was to go for
ward courageously, sincerely, honest
~ with the performance Of his du-
ties in order to win for himself a
high place in the history of Montana
Mistakes would have been forgiven
him, errors Of judgment overlooked
and success acclaimed everywhere
bigotry, selfishness, insane
desire for power, blind hatreds, petty
contentiousness Joseph M. Dixon has
wasted the splendid opportunity
which was his 25 months ago. He
may continue to fume and sputter
that he is the victim of "big inter
est cabals and Vaccinations He
may continue to screech about the
'interlocking press" He may con-
.inue to droll half-truths to audiences
IF the common people" at farmers
,icnics and other gatherings, but he
AN never justify the record which he
1as made, record of downright,
Iickening incompetency. As friend"
# the common people" or any other
ort of people, Joe Dixon is iust a
,athetic mistake and nothing mcrAe