The Sidney herald., 1955-12-29
BY Ernest Immel

Helene - Ever before we are
across the Threshold of the cleo
ton year 1856, rapidly intensity
ing political activity is being
thrust upon the attention of a
public that would rather not be
disturbed about such matters for
at least a few more months.
Nationally an accelerating fac
tor is the effect President Eisen-
hower's health will have on the
fortunes of the political parties
and on aspirants within the par
ties. In Montana one reason is
that the primary election, June
5, will be nearly six weeks earlier
than it had been.
At this writing, two candidates
have already filed for the Demo-
cratic nomination for governor.
One is former Gov. John w. Bon
ner of Helena, whom ]. Hugo
Aronson defeated in 1852. The
other is Danny O'Neill, Havre
livestock commission man. Paul
Cannon of Butte, former lieuten-
ant governor, has announced that
he may seek the nomination.
Attorney Gen. Arnold H. Olsen,
a controversial figure in and out
Of the Democratic party, has not
discouraged the report that he
will file for the gubernatorial
nomination, but some political OBJ
servers believe that ultimately he
will ask for a third term as the
states chief law officer.
I can definitely quote Cover
nor Aronson that he has not yet
decided whether he will make a
bid for a second term. My opinion
is that despite what his personal
inclinations may be, he will bow
to party pressure and become a
candidate.
Montana, as of now, will not
have a United States senator to
elect in 1856, but the congress
sional district contests will gen.
crate nearly as much interest. In
the second or eastern district il
appears conclusive that the rivals
in the general election will be
Republican Congressman Orvin ]
Flare and Sen. Leroy H. Ander-
son, Democratic nominee in 1854
who will .relinquish his senate
seat from Pondera county. o.
course, there is the perennial can
didate, Willard E. Fraser of Bill
lingS, who has indicated that hi
will run if his health permits.
In the first or western distric
the presumption is that Demo,
cratic Congressman Lee Metcal
will seek a third term. Who hi
Republican opponent would b
is less certain. Repeatedly Win
fled E. Page of Missoula, GO
nominee in 1854, will not be
congressional candidate this yea
but will seek to return to tn
legislature.
What may develop into chrys
talization of the Republican stu
alton is mention Of Sen. j. s
Bremen of Beaverhead county a
the party's congressional conten
der. Jack Bremen impresses m
as one who would be a formid
ible candidate. AS a legislator, thi
substantial rancher has demon
strated realistic understanding {
Montana's problems and aspir
atoms and has demonstrated hi
ability to deal with these prob
lens and to implement these as
pirations.
Next to the governorship, mos
important in the executive de
partment of the state governmer
is the office of attorney genera
Even though the political outloo
should seem to make it expedier
for Arnold Olsen to run for a
torney general again instead {
venturing into the governorshi
race, it is not improbable tn;
he would face a critical fight fl
the nomination. Supreme cou
Justice Forest H. Anderson h;
all but committed himself
enter the Democratic primary fl
attorney general.
Judge Anderson tolo>me a fe
days ago that he wanted to "loC
things over a little more" Wht
I asked him whether his decisiC
would be contingent on Mr.. 0
sens decision, he replied, "N
necessarily"
In any event, the Republica.
" nrn dotnrminnd 70 maka . mn