The Sidney herald., 1956-04-05

/ chance to hold the senate but
they seem TO indulge the hope of
recapturing the house from the
Democrats. This is based on the
assumption that with some of the
strongest house Democrats filing
for senate seats, COP house can
didates in these counties will have
less competition.
This is not as I prefer it TO be,
but / continue to feel that the
odds for controlling both houses
of the next legislature favor the
Democrats.
If the Democrats retain control
of the house, it is highly probable
that E. A. Mahoney, Thompson
Falls lawyer, who was majority
leader in 1855, will bid for the
Speakership. He will have TO be
reelected, of course, but at the
time of my visit in Sanders coun-
ty the Republicans had produced
no opponent and were not opti-
miStic about finding anyone with
a fair chance OF defeating him.
Gene Mahoney did not discuss
this with me, but the opinion
seemed general in Sanders coun-
ty that in 1858 he will contest
the senatorship with incumbent
Republican Glenn H Larson.
Unless there should be vacan-
cies through death or resignation,
the only senate seat open this
year west of Powell county will
be in Lake county where it is
generally conceded that County
Assessor Bertha Streeter has the
edge over Sen. Lloyd /. Wallace
for the Republican nomination.
r. assuming that
former Sen. Ray Kelly, Poison
merchant, will be their candidate,
but Nh. Kelly indicated to me
that because of personal reasons
he is heSitant.
My trip into the western coun-
ties verified the impression that
former Gov. John w. Bonner is
gaining on Atty. Gen. Arnold H.
Olsen for the Democratic guber-
1atorial nomination, but the pre-
conclusion, as of now,
seems to be that Mr.. Olsen is
ahead and win be nominated, al
.hough on this point you can get
IN argument.
A Lake county Democratic
eader who is favorably disposed
oward Arnold Olsen, told me that
attorney general hurt him
elf in the lower Flathead coun-
by a speech in which he adj
rocated construction of the Para
lise dam, which would flood
much good farming land and
would have other disturbing eff
ects on the economy of the area.
heard other references to this
peech and the possible political
factions.
In western Montana as else
where in the state, there is deep
oncern among Republican lead
rs over party organization, par
icularly as to the national COM
and the chairman of
he state central committee. There
) increasing mention of Dry J..
armstrong of Kalispel, state rep
sentative from Flathead county,
or the national committee post.
n visiting with Mr.. Armstrong,
found him receptive. q
For more than a decade DRY =
armstrong has had statewide rec
Ignition as a Republican leader.
n 1851 he was speaker of the
Iouse of representatives. Prior to
hat he had been majority leader
nd in 1855 he was minority lead
Efforts have been made to
ersuade Mr.. Armstrong to run
or congress this year, but he is
mong those most strongly urg-
lg Winton Weydemeyer to make
lie race.
Wellington D. Rankin of Hell
Ia, present national committee
ian, is closely involved in a bit
r factional fight in the Re-
IbGcan state organization. 1t
.ems to be the prevailing feel
lg in Republican circles that MIR.
ankin could contribute to party
armony by retiring in favor of
,meone not involved in this dis
9ntion. Dry Armstrong would fit
Ito that category.