The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1963-01-04
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Rv GRETCHEN G. BILLINGS

sion In fact the concensus is any
fights will develop TO prevent meas
ures of a regressive nature from be-
coming law.
IT is certainly true that many of
the fighting liberals have been cut
cut of the legislative roster over the
nast two elections, and whether the
handful left will be moved to put
I'm a battle remains to be seen.
In 1861 it was boosted by spokes-
men for the retrenchment enthusiasts
that they had been able to beat a
large percentage of the liberals and
those they didn't beat they chad
scared to DEATH.
Our democratic Legislative pro-
cesses do not always instill the fight
ing Opposition" found in other free
nations. it seems. Leadership of those
who "stand in opposition" is con-
sidered a noble and desirable posi-
ton in many nations.
Two lines of thought are discussed
as possible avenues for the opposi-
ton in the 1868 Legislature. One is
TO drift with. the Administration and
it's rubber stamp legislature on the
grounds it is their show, let them
have it. Another is to put up a norni-
nal fight on certain issues in gentle
manly sort of way, because after-all,
what can be gained by engaging the
battle in the face of all the big guns
and at the risk of being moved down.
Nowhere as of this moment have
we heard of any potential heroes
carrying messages to Garcia or storm
ing the ramparts in behalf of progress
sive legislation.
At the same time it is impossible
to say what might develop in the
event the minority gets aroused, or
even manages to form some sort of
cohesion.
If there is some lack of faith in
The ability of the minority party to
achieve this type of organization it
is simply because of their historic
lack of ability to accomplish it even
when they are in the majority.
In 1859 when Democrats were in
The majority the Republican minor
ity was highly organized, as of course
they always are. They turned their
talents in their mi
1ority position of harrassment, crea-
ion of confusion such as jamming
he voting machines, pounding gongs,
setting off alarms, and talking in
on unimportant issues to
,elay and upset the orderly legisla-
i've procedure.
This is role that would be alien
% the sometimes frustrating serious
less and dedication to their legisla-
i've positions that characterizes the
Democrats.
In 1859 Democrats seemed to as
.ume the shame that should have
been directed at the Republican mi
lority but wasn't, to properly inform
he electorate of the disgraceful per-
For whatever reason
Democrats didn't let the people know
# the tactics being used by the MI
lority they at least tried TO preserve
he dignity of the legislative process,
md consciously or unconsciously
hey protected the opposition rather
ike a mother shelters a retarded
hild.
The role left for the minority in
he 1868 session would be. to set
orth a program of progress in the
ght of the needs of this state and
IS people and give the majority an
pportunity to turn it down. Failing
hat they fail in their position of
landing in opposition. With battle
ield strewn with past dead heroes
f legislative conviction an ever pres
MT spectar, the course of the minor
" IN 1868 will not be determined
asily.