The Sidney herald., 1957-03-14

By Ernest Immel
Helena - If the 35th Mon
tana legislative assembly had ad
journed a week or 10 days ear
lier, its record for effectiveness
would have been more creditable
But during that last week or II
days, the intrusion of narrow par
tisan politics marred a session
which up to that time had beer
reasonably free of harsh politica.
factors.
This emergence of rather in
temperate partisanship in the last
days of the session was disap-
pointing to me, for there had
been indications that despite the
customary party rivalries, poll
tics would not become a disrup-
tive influence. OF course, each
party had its program and would
contend that in the carrying out
of this program the people of
Montana would benefit enormous
ly, whereas the policies Of the
opposition party presaged but
harm to the general welfare. But
this political byplay aside, the
session in its early weeks held
promise of being considerably
above the average in harmony, so
far as conventional politics per-
mited harmony.
The Democrats were in organ
national control of both houses.
With a Republican governor, j.
Hugo Aronson, and a Democratic
legislature, political maneuvering
with an eye on the statewide
campaign in 1860 was to be ex-
pected. Up to a point this jockey
ing for position went largely n
noticed by the public, but during
the last few weeks of the session
the Democrats, especially those in
the house, became acutely politi-
cally conscious. This was not con-
to dispassionate consider
alton of legislative problems.
In the senate, the DETECTION of
five or six Democratic senators
on issues with important econom-
overtones meant that the ma
Iority party seldom had solid
-anks. But in the house the stu
ltion was different. There the
had a big margin and
he leadership was able to i'm
,ose such firm discipline that on
nythIng presented as a party is
ue the Democrats were virtually ]
old on roll calls. In any event. ]
party issues they nearly always {
.ad more than enough votes.
One reason for this tight Demo-
ratio vote was because Of the {
elatively large number of new {
lembers who as legislative no. S
ices were as yet unprepared to {
emonstrate any real indepen- I
.ence and followed the party 7
aaders without question, though I
t times it must have been with
Ioubt and reluctance.
With perhaps few exceptions,
he sincerity of the freshmen leg
slators of both parties was genu-
ne beyond challenge. In my ra-
Ito programs / interviewed quite
number of them. / found them
evotedly trying to do the best
Do they knew how for the people J
Montana, and although their
oint of view was not infrequent- C
: at variance with my own, / ad- C
tired their sincerity. Later ] was '
see the thinking of some of
lem twisted to the will of parti- F
lbs who were more interested in a
arty advantage than anything
Sc. o
After my many years of close Il
intact with Montana politics and
legislatures / should b
be enough of a realist IL
IT to be an idealist in matters
government. But l still believe G.
the Fundamental soundness of b
processes through which we Of
ourselves and | remain OPP d
mistic about the prospects of e,
approving these processes in
-actice. Perhaps this is why l S
'ntinue TO be disappointed when
'er it appears to me that poll o.
IS is made the objective rather "
an the instrument of better il
,vernment.
The Democratic floor leaders II
-ed E. Barrett in the house and .
avid F. James in the senate
10Th from Liberty county)-had p'
cir troubles. / felt that Mr.. W
arrett showed considerable re- tf
raint on occasion in undertaking p'
exercise his responsibilities,
Irticularly with reference to the u
smocratic ranks. Senator James u
.uation in the senate was easier, Oh
It the time came when it SEEM SO
to me he was rather deeply a
sturbed by the attitude of the