Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-03-20
Political Pot
In Montana
Is boiling
United Press Writer Dis
cusseS senatorial Situa-
ton In State.

by the United Press.)

by the United Press.)
Montana's political pot il boilinf
~ 1t only can boil In this political
minded seate. At every four-cornsfu
in svery newSpaper Office, discu1sio,
Is rife etsr the probabls oubeome Q!
city, county, state and national elec
tions which viii Be 1t issue 1t tn,
approaching primaries.
State, county and city polhica
racas are d more Or less local con
earn. It i tn elections for nationa
Q6iee4- and Unitet
Skates senator (which are Of para.
nAeunt interest to every Monkana
eitisen.
Montana's senior United State.
senator, Thomas J. Walsh, Genes ur
Aeeinst the political run Again next
faA-for It h ! foreeohe conclusion
thAk he will BE- the democratic choice
and once again the republican party
will strive to unseat this veteran
2olon. Hence It is that the outstand-
ing political question In the state to-
day is, who will be Walsh's repub.
lican opponent at general election
next fall! And hence 1t is that this
question is the vertex around which
the political whirlpool swirls.
To date, there has been the usual
epidemic OF names: Among those
mentioned in prominent circles are
These names come under the
heading Of regiment tut after sift-
ing and classifying. the more promi-
nent prospective republican candi-
dates, according to political prognos-
ticators, are a. follows:
Chief Justice Of the Supreme
Court L. l.. Galloway; Associate
Justice Of the Supreme Court Albert
J. Galen; Harry r. Cunningham,
president Of the Montana Life Insur-
ance company; Norman B. Hotter,
prominent hardware man; Dr.. e. n.
Larson Of Great Falls; Or. Alfred At
kinson, pnesiden4 At Montana Stxts
college; W. 8. Mccormack Of Kxlis.
pel, former lieutenant rovernor:
State Senator w. D.. Kemmis, Rich
land county; W. ]. Paul, Deer Lodge
attorney who was beaten in tho last
4dbernAtorial primaries and, last but
not leAst, O. H. P. Shelley, weekly
newspaper publisher Of Red Lodge.
Fond hopes OF many republican
leaders that Congressman Leavitt Of
the second district would toss his
hat into the ring for the republican
senatorial nomination and oppose
Walsh were blasted when Mr.. Leavitt
announced his candidacy for reelec-
ton from Washington, d. C. What
ever were the congressman's public
reasons for his decision, those in the
political "know" say he was unwill-
ing to forego almost certain relec-
ton to chance battle with Walsh
for the senatorial toga.
Mr.. Shelley, at this writing, is the
sole candidate for republican nomi-
nation and his announcement released
the spring Of q flood OF editorial COM
ment from all parts Of the state, both
pro and con.
just what impelled Mr.. Shelley's
announcement and how wide politi-
cal swath he will cut have been the
controversial subjects which have
opened what may develop into tor
rid campaign. One editor hints
rather badly that the Junior demo-
cratic senator, Burton X. Wheeler,
Is responsible. The purpose? To toss
a monkey wrench into the republi-
can machine. Another editor labels
his discouraging editorial-for Shell
ley, at least-as "How Utterly Use
less" Another refers to Shelley as
a fortunate republican find but won
ders whether Republican National
Committeeman Schnitzler found him
or whether Shelley found himself
Still another believed he might give
Walsh 'real battle" and then re-
called how he staged his asserted
abe" coup and gained control Of
state committeeman. The candidates
experience as Montana's first federal
prohibition administrator; how he
was dismissed, tried and indicated by
an acquittal was mentioned, by an
other scribe.
So 1t goes-some soothing, some
specializing, some wondering and
some applauding
With the smoke Of the primaries
cleared away, the arguments for and
against Walsh will probably line ur
something like this.
For-He is a man Of national promi.
hence, Of great ability, who has
served Montana Loyalty and stead.
tasty for many years and who should
be rewarded by being returned to Of
flee. He is one Of the "great" in ths
senate and new senator would have
to serve years of apprenticeship be
fore he could attain Walsh's pres
emit power as welded through promi
nent committees.
Against Without discountinl
Walsh's ability, republicans believe
he has been a United State senator
Of the United States at large rattle,
than Of Montana. In other words, G
0. P. campaign speeches will prob
ably set forth the senior senator Ia
been notably deficient IL Attendin,
to MontAnAH special pFo6 aems and -
rather devoted Ms time and Abilif,
to national and international prob