The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1945-03-02
Plnderbunds Prfteerg Methods Exposed C. Decision
PRINCIPLES
BACKED BY
DEMO. GROUP

The democratic minority in the 29tl
Legislative assembly which ended to
day supported a program based OF
principles and convictions and dedi
Gated to best interests of Montana
David F. James of Liberty county
democratic leader in the house of rep
resentatives, said today in summing
groups in both houses. Leonard
Plank, also of Liberty county, was
the senate democratic leader.
James pointed out that the demo
Gratis adopted and advanced" the
greater part of the program of Gov
Sam C. Ford, republican against very
definite opposition" The republicans
held wide margins of control in both
houses of the assembly.
During the session just closed the
minority attempted to base all of its
contentious on what it considered i'm
portant principles and honest convic-
tions," James said. HAD we had
more strength we would have made
which we feel are not in the best in
terests of the people. A few of the
more important of these are as fol-
lows:
1.-THE minority wanted to see our
liquor monopoly brought back under
a branch of our state government
where it can be properly supervised
and where it cannot be used for polit-
ical purposes. The present liquor set
up since the decision of the supreme
court is in a position conducive to
political graft
1.-THE MVA plan for an overall de-
of our great river basin,
cheap hydroelectric power,
was given almost unanimous support
by the democrats, who feel that such
g plan is the only way in which full
of our resources can be
realized.
"The minority party took a firm
stand in defense of the primary, and
all reversions to the conven
ton system. We felt that any move
to disfranchise the people, however
slight, would be undemocratic and
would place us in the class of the
backward poll-tax states in election
procedure AS minority we fought
for better and more avail
able education, with emphasis on
equalizing the tax burden for all parts
Of the state.
"In all things the democrats at
tempted to avoid party lines, which
S definitely shown by the fact that
hey adopted and advanced the great
er part of the governors program
which he recommended to the legis-
Azure in his message at the beginning
If the session. In much of this we
ed the fight against very definite OPP
position.
Generally speaking, we feel that
he session has accomplished consid-
,rable. The state institutions and in
many respects the schools are more
financed for the next BIZ
nnium than they have been for some
ime. Many subjects on which no
Lction was taken were given a broad
nd constructive hearing which will
lead to better govern
nent in the future. The teachers
tension question, which has been
for a number of years,
las been given at least temporary
olution, as have the large number of
ther subjects which are more or less
# a local interest.
"The minority of the house highly
aspects the interest in legislation
AIKEN by various groups and individ-
Ials throughout the state. We feel
hat this is an indication of definite
rend toward better legislation, and
We also want to express appreciation
o the majority party for its fairness
n procedure and its broadness of
-iewpoint Great Falls Tribune.