The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1951-02-09
Legislative
KNICk- kMACKS
By GRETCHEN G. BILLINGS


1873, lib 255 and HB 1877! SO much
has been said and written on BOTH
sides Emotions are violent and
mixed. At times like this | wish |
were an ostrich.
On issues where material values are
at stake the pros and cons can be
more nationally evaluated.
But when human values are at
stake is is pretty serious thing.
TIE each living person his most
valuable possession is his life. 70 us
in America the dignity of mat has
been the bulwark of our national life.
When we in America first heard of
the furnaces at Buchenwald we were
Mortified. We all said "wherc were
the people, how could they have let
these things happen?" And yet today
in the legislature of the State of
Montana we are having to argue in
behalf of all men who may hold
ideas different from ours. We are
having to fight tooth and nail lest
men be deprived of the right to own
property, hold public office, or write
and think as they please unless
they adhere to the "status quo"
Will it next be the arm band of
the Jew in Germany? Will it be fol-
lowed by lethal gas chambers and
furnaces?
Though the thinking and reasoning
of some people might be beyond my
comprehension, though | might heart
lily disagree with what they think, |
am not willing to take these drastic
steps that built the foundation for
national disgrace in Germany.
In the first place l am not afraid
of things | can see and hear.
It is rather like the philosophy
we have used in raising our sons.
We have always had a great amount
of freedom of speech in the family.
Though it has been my lot to be
sorely shocked at times, our knowl-
edge has been to our advantage.
Is it not reasonable to suppose
that what can be denied a Hutterite
could as easily be denied you!
My sons may have to carry the
guns that weren't picked up by the |
butterflies, but God willing they would
come back to a country that was
still truly free, and | could ask no
greater honor than that they be
equal to that task.
Then when it comes to the road
the CONSCIENTIOUS objector must trav-
ell: 1t isn't always easy to follow
ones conscience. If it were there
would be less evil in the world to-
day. One young draftee said to me
the other day, 81 do not believe in
war, | would not enlist, but | have
been drafted and | don't have the
CUTS to be a CO." This is a pretty
strong damnation of the path we are
leading our young men down today.
The Governors Interim Committee
on Mental Health met with the ap-
committee of the House
of Representatives Monday, February
8, after the House adjourned. Those
speaking in behalf of the people at
the two state institutions, Warm
Springs and Boulder presented their
case in logical manner and without
dramatics.
AS | looked at the members of the
during the presentation :
felt GOODNESS. suppose that veneer i
is acquired after a certain amount of {
that sort of thing-everyone plead {
ing for their favorite cause. How I
ever, the politeness was almost too
much for me. 1t was with difficulty
restrained myself from standing
Up and shouting a few pertinent facts :
hat would have made no difference y
AWAY, | guess, because there are =
hose who are already saying the l.
wo institutions aren't going to get :
my additional facilities. .
Just the same, | would like to have ;.
lsked those immobile gentlemen: :,
What is the future to be for these !,
wo institutions ?
Are we going to delay additional
ABILITIES until at Warm Springs pa :,
tents are piled like cord-wood in the N