The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1942-05-08
By AN AMERICAN SOLDIER


In comparatively short time the
people of the state of Montana will
enter the polling booths to elect their
representatives for the various posi-
lions of trust for the ensuing few
years. In the past they have had but
a single burden to bear, that of choos-
ing candidates whom they felt would
look after their own interests. They
were unconcerned with the other per-
sons ideas about the right of any
certain person to hold office and as
result a motley and industrious ele-
ment has too often held our positions
of trust
However, this year the people re-
naming to vote in the primaries of
the state hold double trust. They
must not alone adhere to their own
consciences but must see that the
trusts and beliefs of thousands of
young Americans are carried with
them to the polls. For this year, all
of the electorate of our glorious state
will not be present on the day of the
primary but will be carrying the wea-
pons of battle on many far-flung
front. These men are allowed the
privilege of franchise but most of
them will be much too busy in other
fields to take the time out to place
their "X".
We have often held that if man
was unwilling to expend the effort of
stepping to his polling place that he
was unworthy of the privilege of rails
ing his voice in the hue and cry that
follows an elected representative
throughout his term Of office. But,
these young men would like very
much to have a voice in the election
of the men who will represent them
now and on their return home, now
they are more concerned with the
business of living and dying. Not all
of them are in the fighting fronts.
Some are merely holding down rout-
inc army jobs, others, training for
duty, but all are wearing the uniforms
of the United States armed forces
which often take man where ballot
has little chances of reaching or re-
turning. 1t is these men whom those
left behind will have the privilege of
representing in the ensuing election.
| would not venture to say that it
is an honor left by these men to those
whom they have chosen, for voting
is often a drudgery and unpleasant
task, despite the privilege of fran
chise. Rather, it is trust placed in
your keeping to see that men are
selected that will back our fighting
men to the limit, yet, will also look
after the things that make normal
life possible.
In the past, the people of this state
have been inclined to overlook GER
tain offices as they felt that these
were of little Importance in regard
to their welfare. Therefore, many
INSCRIPTIONS men have enjoyed en-
ployment in these offices and have
many times misplaced their trusts in
the performances of their duties. The
majority of the people had not taken
the trouble to elect them so they rep
resent those that had elected them.
1t has always been my opinion that
the one who has an axe to grind will
take sharp care in looking after the
grinding of that axe while the one
who is not concerned or believes his
life will not be affected by any result
of this deed is inclined to pass on,
caring little whether it is ground
sharp or left in dull state. This
has often been apparent in Montana
politics. We have passed by our du-
ties of franchise in electing men for
different offices, feeling that they
could not concern us in their perform
ances or misperformances, as it has
been in many cases, of their duties,
only to find that the laws they have
made or the duties they performed
deeply affected us. In other words,
we have often been beat over the
head and swindled in broad daylight
and while still conscious.
This election you will have the OPP
portunity to rectify many mistakes
for yourselves and for your brothers,
sons, fathers, and friends wearing the
uniform of Uncle Sam. They prob
ably do not know the office seekers
and have little chance to find out, let |
alone voting their convictions. Let |
us examine the roll of candidates not |