The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1924-11-12
JOSEPH Nj. DIXON
(From Record-HeraId. Helenal

(From Record Herald, Heena)
Governor Joseph NJ. Dixon, the first free Governor Montana had in
thirty years. will retire from office with a proud record. He stood erect on
his own feet while chief executive of this great commonwealth; there was
no copper collar round his neck, neither did he bow the knees to the wealth
and power that deuded or inundated enough votes in the industrial counties
where those political dominating influences are supreme to defeat him. He
served vel and faithfully the people OF the tate during MS for years in
office, and time will fully prove the truth of that assertion.
Lincoln said you can't fool all of the people all of the time, but you
can fool some of them all the time and all of them som of the time. That
principle is as operative today in Montana as in the ages all the world
facts of an official record. In that is Dixon's triumph.
Governor Dixon put taxes upon the great natural resources, cement
oil, coal metals, and upon inherited wealth, which in the past had wrongfuHy
escaped, and for that great labor, accomplished in spite of tremendous Odds
tribute of gratitude. In taxing these sources of wealth he performed an
act of equity to all of the people of the state; he eliminated an injustice:
he removed M of the expressions imposed upon society by the power of
wealth. In doing this Dixon as right and is right and eternany will remain
right.
Another great service he performed for the people during his four
years was embodied in his unfagging resistance to the encroachments upon
the government and the political freedom of the people of Montana by the
oyerto"erng industrial operations that foT 80 years controlled the politics
Of this state and after January /, 1925, will resume that control. It may
be thought by some shallow philosophers that this matter embodes a mere
n'any "'Wu' SWS 50" nee; Dl IN S"n q vie" te mario" selishnes and
the blind synicsm thai barter a brthright for a mess of potage make their
their feet will remain urn the path Of progress and their aim will not stray
far from the common good; when that sovereignty is in the clutches of
politically predatory corporations, they are ensaved and their welfare be
This is one Of the verites that history has illustrated OF countless
tragic occasions. 1t has been written in the blood and tears of mutitudes.
1t has been burnt inc the souls of enslaved peoples time and again in the
slow courseo the centuries. In days to come it may be blazoned across the
sky to the people of this state in words of fire.
But this does not by any means tell the whole splendid story of Cover
nor Dixon's labOrs and accomplishments for the people of Montana. The state
needed a state tax commission, or equalization board, 20 constituted that it
could function ntenigenhy and efficiently. After a battle with the great
corporate powers clear through the supreme court, he gave the people such
a commission. 1t may be rendered moribund during such time as it is
subject to the parayzng effects of privileged corporate masters of state
administrations, but it will remain al effective arm of government ready
to serve the people whenever they themselves are in possession of that
government
Governor Dixon found the state loaded down with debt He found the
SO ' "i " o+'1' -rtc1v.t2H - 20 facilities. and
totally inadequate to the demands EGde upon tacr!. lie found the state
suffering from overwhelming industrial and financial adversely, the fruits of
the a and drouth. The task Of reconstruction, political and economic, that
confronted him vas of insuperabe difficulty. But he was not daunted. He
undertook it with courage, and for nearly four years has fought and fought
on until today a record Of public service unparalleled in the annals of this
stctc IS his reward end dEtrctively and uniquely numines his name among
Montanas governors.
The free people Of Montana profoundly value education for their chill
Hon od 4bav bv dirat vote founded IN state colleges with e. non M
raised from bonds and by a tax levy for their support The huge vested
interests of Montana did their utmost to prevent the expenditure of this
money SC the state colleges should be made modern, adequate in size and
placed OF a level Of educational standards that should assure the youth
If the tate a university education in Montana equal to that to be secured
aIsewhere