The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1931-05-08


study of the returns of Sheridan county
proves our contention to have been true every
where. Those for the bond issue got out and
voted; those against stayed at home except the |
most active and those close to the polls, who could
vote without much trouble or expense. The farm
ers living away from the polls who are not
ming their cars, because of poverty, this year or
did not have the money for gas, did not want
to gas, did not go TO vote against proposition
which they believed doomed to win in spite of
their VOTE for they figured it was economy for
them to save their time and gas Hundreds would
have had to walk in order to get to the polls and
these did not feel like exertng so much energy in
behalf of lost cause.
The idea OF the futility of voting promoted
greatly in Sheridan county by circular letter
signed by a number of alleged commercial clubs in
the county sent out few days before election by
Nels Madsen from the court house with help paid
for by the taxpayers, and in envelopes bought and
paid for by the county and charged to commission
ers expense. This letter blazenly stated that If
"Sherida ncounty voters voted against the bond
measure, Sheridan county will not get any of
the road money, so it seems wise to vote yes
the measure is going to carry by u huge majority
anyway" This letter succeeded keeping hun
dreds of voters away from the polls for two reas-
ons: % because it futile to vote and, (2) be-
cause il Sheridan county defeated the measure,
then this county would not get any road money.
The voters have Niels Madsen and Frank French
to thank for this skulduggery.
In Sheridan county the taxpayers paid for the
campaign to fasten this huge bond issue upon
themselves thanks to the above gentlemen. 1t is
just example of the sort Of campaign carried
for the referendum.
But in spite of this Niels Madsen's own pre-
cinct, Coalridge, defeated the measure to 70 and
Dagmar precinct to lis. In Medicine Lake VII
lag where Frank French Banker Powers and Joe
Doln reign supreme, only half vote was east
those against the measure remained at home so
as not to enrage the Lake bosses.
In the towns the mainstreet vote was cast solid.
ly for the measure because the bankers were for
it, and secondly because the Producers News
against it. Many of the mainstreeters and there
were some, who were against the emeasure, did
not vote at all because they thought that
| jority against the debenture would be victory
for The Producers News, and they did not want
to be party to any such thing.
Already Tom Stout whose paper, the Lewistowu
Democrat, supported the big bond issue and the
1O-cent gas tax with great exertiOn, is preparing
an out for himself IN regard to the 10cent tax.
He says editorialy
'While the matter may be taken to the
Supreme Court for opinion upon that
/ phase, it may be stated that regardless of
what that tribunal might decide, there is
the most remote likelihood of any addition
altax being collected. No one in the state
and this includes all of the most ardent
good roads enthusiasts desires 10-cent
tax"
Just what Tom means by this is conjecture OF
course. If the supporters had for instant adj
nitted 10-cent tax before election the measure
would nave been defeated by 10 TO 1 vote, but
the Contractors" and their enuuchs were able Il
convince the voters who could not read English Of
were too lazy to read referendum &c. that it wa.
not 10-cent tax. If the court decides that the
law does provide for a 10-cent tax it will be EN-
barrassing for TOm-and the rest of the sponsor
and next summer when Tom runs for governor
economy platform, his support of the BIZ
bond issue, the 1O-cent gas tax and the highws,
hipp-O-ray is going to be ghost that will follow
him in and out and around the state like his shad
ow.
Tom admits already that the tourist crop ma
fail for some years because of the depression bu
feels that when times come back they will com
here by the millions to imbibe our scenery, whe
1
interest and all, that the highway commission
now blowing like bunch of drunken sailors.
. Tom continues with his salve:
The contest over the debenture meas
, ure was conducted without any ranoOr on
either side and the great majority of those
t who opposed it were animated by sincere
E motives. They include many of Our states
? best and most progressive citizens who,
? we are certain, will accept the result in
: the best spirit and continue their efforts
: to do what they believe to be always for
o the best interests of our great state"
: The Lewistown editor wants everybody to forg
the bond campaign right away. There viii
others But the Montana Record Herald crows
cause Sen. Kane's and Gov. McCormacks count
: went for the measure against their opposite
. that paper did not mention this opposition befo
the election. However, those who laugh last oft
/ laugh best and we predict that tho the hipp-o-r
boys put their hOOey over, their victory viii tn
IS out an empty one, if not thing that viii p,
! sue and embarrass the victors for a long til
% to come