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M O X T A X A - 1 9 1 6 



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Harvesting Oats Along the High Line of the Great Northern 



part of those entrusted to public office. In the first election following statehood, 

 Montana's electoral vote was cast for Benjamin Harrison; in 1896 and 1900 it was 

 cast for W. J. Bryan; in 1904 for Theodore Roosevelt; in 1908 for W. H. Taft, and in 

 1912 for Woodrow Wilson. The present state administration is democratic, with the 

 exception of the State Senate, in which the republicans have a majority. 



Strong interest is displayed by the people of Montana in public affairs, and the 

 state has been particularly free from administrative scandals. The magnificent state 

 capitol at Helena^ a picture of which is shown in the frontispiece of this book, was 

 built at a cost of $1,100,000 and is universally regarded as a splendid example of a 

 state getting the full value of every dollar spent. 



Political power is jealously guarded by the people, and through the instrumen- 

 tality of a direct primary law, under which all nominations are made, they keep in 

 close touch with political conditions. Through the initiative and referendum clauses 

 of the state constitution, they reserve to themselves the power to enact or defeat 

 legislation by popular vote, a power which thus far has been seldom but always 

 wisely used. Of seven measures which have been initiated through popular agencies, 

 five have passed and two have been rejected. Of two measures referred to the people 

 after legislative enactment both were rejected. Equal suffrage, without regard to 

 sex, has been Avritten into the constitution. 



The people of Montana welcome outside capital and treat it with every degree of 

 fairness, while at the same time insisting that capital be also fair with the people. 

 Every branch of legitimate industry is encouraged, while the people amply safeguard 

 themselves with every necessary protection. A railroad and public service commis- 

 sion has been established to regulate the rates of every public utility and common 

 carrier; a "blue sky" law has been enacted to protect investors from fraudulent 

 promoters; a grain inspection department looks after the proper inspection of 

 Montana grain; farmers are protected in their seed purchases by a system of free 

 seed inspection; weights and measures and pure food laws are rigidly enforced; an 



