The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1954-10-15
What DO YOU
Think?
BY GRETCHEN G. BILLINGS

y
urday to the Democratic Railroad and
Public Service Commission nominal
ing convention, and l stayed home and
attended the Republican one.
l begged the Republicans to. stir
up little excitement to provide me
with better story than Harry, but
they just flatly informed me that
Harry was going to have the best
story and l was out of luck.
Lack of enthusiasm of any kind
prevailed in Helena. There would be
no controversy over the nomination,
granted, but it is election year. Two
years ago the Republicans launched
"The Great Crusade. Today it is
limping along with three broken
wheels.
The atmosphere was that of group
of martyrs who were undergoing the
rack.
George Gosman, who was nomi-
mated as chairman of the convention
by Vic Overcast, gave the benediction
of the Let's All Be Unhappy To-
gether" congregation by saying that
he was sorry all these people had to
come to Helena because of the poll
itcal chicanery" of the Attorney
General, And George didn't even hint
at political chicanery" from August
until September 80 by member of
his own party.
They carried their act of "eyes-
ast-down-shame-o -Arnold-O Olsen so
far that the name of Yves D'Ewart
was used in rousing terms four times
before they even clapped once. This
oversight had escaped me until
veteran newspaperman called it to
my attention. | wiped my eyes and
made a note.
After the formality of nomination
the candidate was escorted to the
platform by Vic Overcast and George
Davis. Mr.. Hazelbaker said he "ac-
copied the challenge" of running for
the post to which the governor had
appointed him.
The only sign of dissatisfaction
over the nomination was from those
Who thought George Davis should |
lave had the original appointment
instead of Hazelbaker. Davis has run
or the Commission three times for
he COP and one time Smith beat
lin by only 300 votes. The appoint
nent would have given him a favored
position some thought he should have
ad
The Governor gave one of his first
political" speeches since taking Of
ice. Imagine my surprise when he
corched the attorney general be-
ause the VOICE had the story on
)lsen's statement demanding an cleo
ion in print at the same time the
est of the Capitol beat did, Natural
' after we heard about it we went
fter the story, or we would never
ave had it. We, too, believe in "com-
etition," "free enterprise" "the
merlcan Way" Governor.
Hugo Aronson, who has done a
ght good job of running a "busi- {
ess' administration and not "poli- S
cal' administration, as administra- {
ons go in the NE corner, jumped up i
} his neck in the political whirlpool t
aturday. There is no doubt he is
lie most popular Republican in the |
ate, and they need his support. V
here is no political reason why he
couldn't have given the speech rak- I
g the Democrats over the Goals, ex- r
pit it was out of character with his q
peated philosophy about his place +
Governor. a
After the meeting was over Vic G
gave resume of the cred y
cord" he has compiled on Senator v
urray. Overcast said that since he
IS compiled and published the rec b
d threats have been made to run t.
m out of the state" He offered to &
IN the mimeographed copies he r
nded to the delegates and assume
Il responsibility for them. N