The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1950-06-02
On Choosing legislators

Un choosing Legislators
What kind of men and you going to elect tc
represent in the 1851 legislative assembly? Will pick
solely the basis of partisan affilation the type
personalities they because they belong the
clubs do? ORw you pick them primarily on how they
stand important issues?
Because, Montana counties people less
personally acquainted with those seeking public office
natural tendency for the voter to let friendship for
another candidate rather than determine how he casts
frailiy in determining the type of designate
makers But because of it, frequently find sub
ected to laws which not to liking discover that
needed legislation by hook crook failed to be enacted
Of course there would be point bringing up
of solution be offered This basic question:
What the qualifications for determining whether will
make good legislator? In determining this several things
mind Is he reasonably we'll informed issues of
the state? Does he integrity Does he
moderate degree sound reasoning ability
(hore sense Has he leadership ability? Does he believe in
progress he firmly mbued with the Status quo spirit?
Except the first all other questions raised above
be answered only by those to whom the candidate known
Thus the question: What of the major
that will face members of the 1851 legislature?
Space does not permit detailed discussion of all such prob
es but few hghlights of value to the voter in
making his decision at the forthcoming primary general
elections.
Generally speaking the next assembly like its predecessors
will have spend lot of the continuing effort to
develop sound, long education Likewise,
enforceable solution the gambling racket must be found
of sound financing for of states
highway system must be developed major effort must be
undertaken revamp and modernze taxation methods
dealing with welfare of should
added to in keeping with conditions; agriculture
REAs and farmers cooperaves must not be weakened by
actment any discriminatory laws such proposed n
both the 947 and 1949 legislatures sincere efforts should be
made modernze and wherever possible consolidate the
than hundred divisions of
thorough study of cuoda institutions that the needs of
these various institutions be realistically met
To determine how prospective legislator perform
should he Helena January the before
casting his ballot might well ASK for example, the following
questions:
the candidate greater equalization of
ton costs by having the state provide 500 of all eemen
tary secondary school expenditures? Does he
law? for consolidation Of
school districts?
the candidate benefits for disabled
unemployed workers? Does he favor enactment of
occupational disease law making such ndustiay disabled
compensate under Industrial Accident laws?
amending existing child labor laws closely
with the stcter federal laws governing such labor?
Does the candidate favor sales taxes form? Will
support legislation designed bring about statewide
of uniform assessments Does he favor application of
highway gasoline to gasoline used for high
purposes? Does he favor enactment of legislation making
compulsory that public utilities the valuations
taxation used for rae-settng? Does he
favor upward revision of existing state income laws?
Does the candidate favor continuation of the nonpro
does he believe that slot machines should
banned from the and that enforceable legislation
enacted Tasting death for this racket? Would
legislation giving licensing authorities authority
permanently business establishment per-
hitting operation of slot machines it's premises?
candidate the placing of additional bus
co-operatves, partnerships and individual
propretorships? bring comprehensive
market roads? Will he oppose any and all
cripple and weaken by state legislation the rural
identification program in Montana? C
of the questions that be asked of