The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1930-07-18

A Promising County Situation

"A OH1SIu ho"N
The voters have spoken declslvely and their
word is law. No laments, no arguments ottered;
Taking for granted that the November election Will
confirm the decision handed down at the primaries,
the Economy" county officials will assume the relns
of business in January, 1881.
It was a clOud-burSt. a snow storm and a land-
slide all at the same time. A washOut for the whole
list of officials who were up for reelection and VINO
were not on the Economy" ticket. Some to be sure,
made it close for their opponents, but IN most con-
tests the margin was WIDE.
The board of strategy that mapped out the plan
of attack for the Roosevelt taxpayers assn should
be congratulated on their adroit and clever methods.
Their campaign was we'll timed to get the advantage
of the breaks from local weather and national COM
mercial conditions. When one set OF charges fell
flat, hit by official statements, another set was
ready to be spread abroad. After it was all over
it was plainly evident that the chief reason IN the
minds of the voters was, "They have been IN long
enough. If the voters say so, it is so. The people,
like the kings of old, can do no wrong. Even II a
mistake should be made it is the people who suffer
for it. The only thing that could lead the voters
into error would be lack OF information on the mat
tiers at issue. But no doubt they Informed themselves
thoroughly before venturing on such a radical step.
With the cost of about everything, except farm pro-
ducts, holding firm or creeping up, Isl
and should be the slogan of individuals and govern
ments. ~
The prospects in Roosevelt county affairs should
be very bright. The records and examiners reports
show the present financial status of the county as
good and distinctly on the upward trend compared
to former years. County warrants on a cash basis,
an immense sinking fund ready to take care OF ma
turing obligations, lighter tax levies, will afford the
new set Of officials a splendid opportunity to lnstl-
tute their regime Of reform and economy.
Many Of the new nominees have given assur-
ance, it is understood, that the expenses OF their de-
Dartments will be cut in half or nearly so, by means
Of smaller forces of deputies and clerks. Some will
do all their own office work. At least one publicly
promised to perform his duties for at least a thou
sand dollars a year less. The mileage rate, it is said,
will likely be reduced to ten cents and the salaries
of Office help, when any is employed, will be cut
sharply.
With all these tentative promises carried out,
it will be only a few years until the balance of county
Indebtedness, left by the present administration, will
be cancelled, after which taxes will be merely nom
inal, provided there are no road levies, and no levies
for anything not strictly essential to keeping the
county organization carrying on. Of course, under
stress of campaign excitement, with fiat" public Of
fees almost in reach, the economy candidates
may have become over optimistic in their pledges
and can hardly be expected to keep entirely within
the expense limits suggested. Still, their friends feel
great confidence they will keep close to their prom
Uses and keep in mind that a public office is a public
trust. Under the e~xultation of a glorious victory
those who voted for the advocates of economy will
watch closely the progress made in that direction,
and hope to be able proudly to point to their county
as a model for others to follow.
Bill Young made a great run and probably came
as close to election as any east-end man could. The
powers that be in the southwest corner simply will
not let any east-ender by. Mr.. Young's strength in
many of the counties where he is i noWn-Hill, Dan
iels, Sheridan, Roosevelt, McCone, and no doubt
many others on which no reports have been received,
was very gratifying. The state has lost a large cali
bre official but this county retains him.
The splendid success of the Bridge Dedication
fecomes more and more evident from press and
PERSONAL comment. Fred Rathert is given great
{ edit for his faithful work as director Of arrange
Taents.