Montana labor news., 1945-01-11
MONTANA
DECADENT COLONY

CONTINUED Prom Page Onel
paid this state in taxes only amount
annually to less than 100000.
My first diagnosis was only partly cor
rect, but it was good as far as it went.
Such continued drain on any economy
for 10 years, not to mention for 80, as
present with us, is enough to bring one
of two results. Open violent resort to
armed rebellion against the further
! drain or a population so weakened,
! helpless, ignorant, corrupt, that organ
lied revolt at the polls is seen to be
futile. Corporate control here is the
only dynamic force No new industry
has been begun here since the sugar
factories twenty years ago.
From the Slavocratic control Of my
native state before the Civil War, flight
to Canada was the only escape for the
Negro. For our young men and women
with a purpose in life, flight from cor
poration domination and corruption
here, is the only avenue to freedom
broader outlook, chance to achieve.
As good an example as any of the
changes this condition makes in human
/ beings is that of our Governor.
A sketch will suffice for the purposes
Of this paper S. Clarence Ford when
as a Kentucky Democrat he entered
public life a deputy U. S. attorney under
B. K Wheeler, was a man of high po-
litical purposes, liberal in thought and
aims
Like the writer then mot after the
experiment., he believed that prohibition
could be enforced, and would raise the
standard of living of the common man.
Like me, he thought liberation and
cleanliness in government would be fur
thered by the votes Of women. OF course,
our troubles being economic mot social j,
prohibition was shown to be a fantastic
blunder, and the only benefit so far
arising from women voting is better be-
havior on election day at the polling
places Not another single reform, or
even change, can be traced to women's
votes in Montana. This bomb that was
to suddenly elevate us has proved a
"dud" (Never having needed, nor much
desired public office, I hope all women
will notice and remember my statement
for future reference when they vote)
So Ford the Kentucky Democrat, filed
for nomination for attorney general in
the Republican party. There were more
prohibitionists and women's rights ad-
herents in that partq. He was elected.
AS attorney general he still believed that
one human being could swim against the
current of financial drain and sequent
political corruption He made good
officer.
About IS years ago, published a list
showing that in six years, Of 81 cases
before our Supreme Court, in which
railroads had been a party, the railroad
litigant had gained "a. 1t stirred the
people to reform that court at the polls.
My income has usually been comfort
able, but I ran for chief justice securing
the democratic nomination The cor
porate opposition focused against the
center. I was (cheerfully) defeated the
flanks ran by; Ford and Angstman were
elected.
Ford made a fine, studious, liberal
judge But when he ran to succeed him
self, the corporations concentrated
against the flanks He was defeated. He
soured Lacking a background Of George
Norris or LaFollette, Ford's philosophy
changed right then. From a Progrcs-
/ siye Republican, he became a Republi-
can. He decided to make his peace with
the powers the parasites. But he was
clever. He maintained his standing with
the liberals in both parties About then
he changed his name TO Sam from
Clarence.
The powers We're tired Of printing
apologies for Roy Ayers. They conniVed
at Ford's election as Governor. Ayers
had been second choice anyway. Elmer
Holt, Northern Pacific land man, had
been the prime favorite Of the grand
alliance of rails, insurance, power, chain
banks, chain stores, mines, lumber com
panies.
A week after Ford was first elected
Governor, he unveiled. In Billings, Great
Falls Dillon, Missoula, his appOintees
we're picked from old-line Republicans
who, during his campaign, did not well
come him as a guest in their mansions,
and had worked openly for Ayers.
He signed a bill placing compensation
for silicosis victims Of the mines on the
Independent taxpayers. He failed to
make the A. G. M. Company lobby tell
the Legislature to appropriate enough
money to run the state charitable, edu-
cational or penal institutions. In fact,
the only gleam of the once liberal Ford,
during his first term must have been an
accident-the securing of DR.. Melby as
head of the university.
Perhaps 1 am a worthy critic on edu-
cational matters. once long ago I served
three years as school trustee At the
end of my labors an eastern committee
pronounced the Butte public schools the
best under the stars and stripes. Six of
my children have done well in Montana
/ universities. DR.. MelDyS advent mere is
a worthy-the only worthy event of
Ford's first term.
Ford has acquired the knack Of claim
ing to have done what he did not do.
The increase in the general fund was due
mostly to change in bookkeeping, and
4 the inheritance taxes Of Mrs. DAILY and
Mr.. Davis. Many special funds were, on
February %, 194l, by the Legislature
placed in the general fund. Ford bitterly
opposed releasing the taxes but it was
done by Democrats Matthews and Mitch
ell. Yet flash boards in the campaign
announced that during his administra-
ton "the general fund had increased
five million dollars" and that certain
taxes had been remitted. AS a taxpayer