The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1944-11-02
Says Montana
IS Doubtful"
For Roosevelt
Continued from page u


two other candidates.
Ford's primary opponent drew o,3oo
votes.
How many, if any, Democrats /
would give Ford the nod? pollticos
are. asking. The doubtful 37,l44 may
we'll select Montana's next COVER /
nor, and it was to these that Ford |
and Erickson were directing their
closing campaign oratory. Both cam
didates were rounding out extensive
camnaign tours which will have
carried them into all Of the states
Sc counties by election eve.
Erickson will make his final APP
peal to Butte's miners, to whom ne
looks for a big margin. big enough
perhaps to offset Ford pluralities in
other portions of the state. Erlck-
son is almost assured Of a Silver
Bow county majority, as well as the
labor vote in Cascade and Deer
Lodge counties but he knows ne
will need decisive margins there to
cancel the Republican-partial vot-
ers Of western Montana, Of Billings,
and of certain other G. @. P. strong
holds
/ Ford will wind up his campaign
| in Helena, where he expects to take
1t least small plurality Basing his
campaign on a slogan that he has
kept his promises the Republican
incumbent hopes that his record Of
| improving state finances and his
fight for state rights in regard to
! the use of the waters Of rivers ris-
ing in Montana will give him the
major portion of the business and
agricultural vote.
Whatever happens Nov. z, history
has shown that independent Mon
tana prefers the Democratic par
ty. In most general elections the
Treasure State has been on the
bourbon side. In 1882, 1896, and
1910, Montana gave President
Roosevelt big margins. In the off
year of 1912, however, the Repub-
licans came within 1,2l2 votes o.
victory.
Montana has a full Democratic
congressional representation ant
most state elective office-holder:
Il are Democratic Only one Of tht
congressman, James f. O'Connor 0
the second district, is seriousl,
threatened by a Republican thi
year. Veteran lawyer +. f. Hayne
of Forsyth stands good chance t.
return the silver-haired democra
to his law offices in Livingston. Il
the first district, university instruc
tor Mike Mansfield Of Missoula
little worried by the challenge Q
Republican M. S. Gafasso of Butte
The incumbent Democratic stat
office-holders, Atty. Gen. r. Y
Bottomly, state auditor John
Holmes, and Secretary of State Sar
w. Mitchell, are better than eve
bets to be reelected. Bottomly
opposed by veteran attorney Stan
ley r. Foot, Holmes by former legis
lator E. J. Mo, and Mitchell by a
aggressive newspaperman, legisla
tor and university teacher, Howar
X. Hazelbaker
Incumbent Republican 1t. Co
Ernest T. Eaton Of Billings will 70
with Ford, but his record as legl:
lator and educator will swing som
G.. O. P. votes and his city's votel
will help the Republican ticke
Eaton is opposed by Paul Cannon
Butte businessman and minOrlt
leader in the House in the l943 lei
islative session.
One republican incumbent, Eliz'
beth Ireland of Havre, state supe
intendent of public instruction
should defeat her less widely know
opponent, Violet Eastman OF He
ena, while two other offices a
open to new men. Republican Georl
r. Porter is opposed by w. p p
geram for state treasurer, ar
Democrat Horace Casey fac
George A. Davis for the railroad az
public service commission.