Plentywood herald., 1928-02-03

THOUGH his political life was
n stormy and full of bitter fights. for
"A mer Gov. John (. Richards Who dlea
IN Berkeley. Calf, on Christmas day, was
fond in later years of recalling the lhel-
cents Of the Montana constitutional con
vention and Of the eight years tnat ne
served, first as lieutenant-goVernor ana
then as governor of Montana, according
10 Judge o. F. Goddard OF Billings,
close friend and ally in his political pat
Ties Judge Goddard served IN the sem
ate from Yellowstone county from 1891
to 1895, while Richards was governor
During the iast 10 years. Judge God
dard received a number OF letters llohi
Governor Richards. full OF memories OF
the old days and in June, 1870, Wnlle
Judge Goddard was on trip through
California. the two men spent dellght-
ful afternoon together at the governor
home. rec lling old acquaintance anu
the friends and enemies OF the polillcai
conflicts of the "nineties. he received
a Christmas card from him Whlch hau
been sent only a few days before MS
death.
Richards made many bitter enemies as
we'll as close friends by his courageous
actions and independent attltuQe IN tne
controversies of the time. during ms
administration the final contest between
Helena and Anaconda over the state cap
ital and the allotment OF the various
state institutions TO different cities were
important events. Several years aiter ne
retired from the position of governor ne
was given a position in the census bu-
reau at San Francisco through the
agency of Senator Carter and California
was his home from that time onward
although he made several visits 10 Moh-
tana.
In one of his letters to Judge Goddard
he said that several friends VINO hau VS.
tied him had said that he shoulu return
to Montana and re-enter pollllcal ~ ~
Vie said that while he appreciated the
kindly things they had said, nothing
could induce me to enter political ne
again with its calumnies and slandels
II was only that l sought vindicatlon lot
nv actions as presiding officer OF the
senate that l was willing to run Tor gov
ernor." ,o
Delighted in Memories
In his letters however he showed that
the bitterness OF the conlllcl hau ioii7
acn left him In one letter ne mace III
ol1trv of the Judge about the apscona
inrFsenators who quit because they dldn
like my style of umpiring. In announcer
letter he had made some remark ABOUT
q billings man who had been partleu-
larlv caustic in his opposition ana theh
added in a postscript: 1 nave Just hea.u ..
fen what | did about him, but maven
time to revise the letter. Please forget
Even a tombstone says nothing but Whal
is rood about man when ne is uoWA
In congratulating Judge Goddard on
his election to the bench, he sald, l am
not unmindful of your new dlShlly pe.
vou Will always remain senator TO me
He smoke FREQUENTLY OF his delight in re-
living the incidents of the early days,
even though it might be sign OF old
age. "I challenge you to a contest 10 DC
+he last survivor of the CONSTITUTIONAL
convention" he said in one OF ms epls-
ties. In another he said, Il noticed thal
YOU misspelled nv name. IL IS as pau
as if | had addressed you as Goddarn.
Well, we'll You are doubtless IN your
dotage and l forgive YOU
Only Republican Governor
Ten or Is years ago, Governor Rickards
attended a reunion of members OF the
constitutional convention. He MADE the
remark that he was the only Republican
who had ever been elected governor OF
Montana Judge Goddard said, Yes, aiteI
you were governor we couid never eiees
another" Richards appreciated JOKE
even on himself and he frequently re-
ferred TO the judges thrust.
Alexander Botkin was lieutenant gov
ernor during the administration OF Gov
ernor Richards Botkin was paralyzed ano
could not walk and had 10 De Wheeiee
around by q negro who was known al
Botkin's bodyguard Botkin was fond Q.
whisky and was not at ease II he coule
not have frequent nips. An eloquent ad
vocate. he devised various stratagems fo
getting q drink while speaking. AT ont
time when making talk at Billings, III
secured a colored glass and substituted
whisky for the usual water furnished th'
speakers.
Botkin's Strategy
AS presiding officer of the senate, BOT
kin found newspaper convenien
screen for taking his drop. On the las
day of the session, Governor Rickard
came to the senate and sat at Botkin'
elbow waiting to sign any bills that wer'
passed. Richards was a teetotaler as wei
as good Methodist and Botkin became
uneasy as the evening wore on and tner'
was no indication Of the governor leav
ang. Finally Botkin called Senator God
dard to his chair. Richards was annctes