The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1928-03-02

would run for governor or senator.
To these trained observers there was
no longer any doubt that the sage of
Missoula would breast the tape line
when the great race of 1928 starts.
The republican pilgrims who turned
their faces towards the Placer last
Sunday, like the wandering Jew to-
wards Jerusalem or the Mahomet to-
wards Mecca, were unlike the veri0at-
ed cOnglomeratiOn of company haters
who crowded the eX-governor's room
in the Finlen-tney were leaders OF
his party who had campaigned with
him in the past. Nearly all of them
urged him to be a candidate for the
senate.
Washington or Helena, Which?
Because of the widespread feeling
that Wheeler has run his course-that
''his sins have found him out" and his
appalling record of treachery to the
people of the state has become known
leading republicans are saying that all
Dixon has to do is to enter his name
for the office of senator to win.
Against Wheeler he would hardly
have to make a campaign. 1t was
conceded on all sides that he would be
nominated in the primary without op-
position and would win in November
with a majority of $4,000 votes. 1t
would please the big men of his party
and the Independents of the state to
have a man in Washington who would
not sneeze every time John D. Ryan
or Con Kelly take out their silvered
snuff boxes in New York.
But
On the other hand many feel that
their greatest vote getter should lead
the van of battle in the campaign for
the governOrship. There is where the
hard fight will have to be made. There
is also a seething unrest directed
against the continued government of
the state by the minions of one gigan-
tic corporation. The occupancy of the
governors mansion by John Erickson
has not met with the approval of even
the members of his own party. His
appointments have not pleased any
body outside of Mr.. Jim HObbins. The
promises of his supporters that the
governor would inaugur-te an era of
economy have not materialized. The
cold fact is that while the income of
the state has increased by over two
millions the debt is greater than when
Dixon went out of the capital. De-
spite the fact that the governor is
dominated by his purchasing agent
who was a former purchasing agent
for the Anaconda company, Mr.. Err
icksOn must answer to the people for
his administration. In the capital ii
is Governor Murphy who is held re-
sponsible for every act of the chief
executive from his visits to the out
houses in the capital grounds to mis-
whitewashing excursions to Warm
Springs; but in the wide open spaces
and cities of Montana, where John
Erickson is not known as eyes
Man" to Cow Murphy, the governor
must shoulder responsibility for the
state administration. He must give
an account of his stewardship to the
people.
Dixon for Governor
Erickson is as weak with the mem
bers of his own party as is Wheeler
but it is conceded that he would Gu
into republican strength in the fina
election. For that reason many urg
Dixon to run for the hardest Office
to attain-that of governor. TIL,
company" would fight him bitterly
for this office but he would have thu
support of the Butte Miner-the daily
newspaper with the largest circulation
and most influence and the independ
ent press of the state He would wiz
where another candidate would have
hard Shedding.
by Dixon running for governor re.
Ru6hcans contend that they could elect
Their whole ticket. Rankin would wiz
IN walk if Wheeler should happer
to be the democratic nominee.
BOurquin Looms
Here is where some more figurine
comes in. Judge George Bourouin ii
ready to announce his candidacy fo1
democratic senator if Dixon decides Il
run for governor. Bourquin's friend.
are confident that he would defea
wheeler in the primaries but tn,
f1ghtlng Judge has a strong admira
ton for the sage of Missoula anC
would not care to face him in the fl
nails. If Dixon does decide to run fo-
governor the line up for senator II
the finals is likely to be Rankin ol
the republican ticket and Bourouin OF
the democratic ticket. That will b,
q pretty race. Both ar eyoung men
Both are very progressive in politica
outlook. They are good speakers an,
dramatic and forceful personalities
But there is difference in an imnorf
ant particular. Rankin is a drv Will,
bourquin is wet and an uncomnro
missing supporter of AL Smith. Thi
would make an interesting race witt
a great question the subject of debat,
between two of the most alert mind
Of the state.
Prediction
This article is not half finished bu
the train and the presses of the Pro
ducers News do not wait. Politica
prognostication is not safe pasttim,
yet | would venture to make a Iittl,
prediction. JOE DIXON WILL AN
NOUNCE HIS CANDIDACY WITH
IN TEN DAYS. He will probabI7
nun for Governor.