In 1893, after Montana became a state, William Clark and Marcus Daly ran for the U.S. Senate, but neither could achieve a majority in the State Legislature, which elected senators in those days, and Montana simply did without a senator. In 1898, masked men tried to steal the ballot box in one precinct; two officials were shot down. One died. Who ordered the raid was never proved.

In 1899, Clark simply tried to buy the Legislature, but Clark got caught red-handed when a legislator dumped $30,000 before his fellow members and declared it had been advanced to him and three others for their votes. Members called for a grand jury. Clark was able to explain away the evidence and he was elected. His closest adviser, however, was convicted of bribery.

In Washington, a petition was filed charging Clark with securing his election through bribery. After hearing from 96 witnesses, the testimony detailed bribes ranging from $240 to $100,000, paying off mortgages, purchased ranches, paid debts, financed banks and blatantly presented envelopes of cash to legislators. Clark realized the U.S. Senate would not recognize his election and graciously resigned, creating a vacancy.

However, the lieutenant governor appointed Clark to fill the vacancy while the governor of Montana was out of state. The governor returned and rescinded the appointment and named his own man, but the senate refused to seat either.

In January 1901 in a newly elected Montana Legislature, most had received financial support from William Clark, and elected him to the Senate for the same term. No charges of corruption were filed and Clark was seated without objection.

Today, more than 110 years later, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a shadowy group that links corporations and legislators in order to advance extreme (and extremely unpopular) agendas is trying to influence Montana’s politics. ALEC uses corporate money to craft one-size-fits-all legislation that its member legislators propose as their own.

The bills attack voting rights, threaten economic fairness, promote kill-at-will laws, distort corporate campaign contributions, propose privatization schemes that undermine education and support bills that benefit corporations at the expense of working people. These legislators are not thinking for themselves. They are dismissing the will of their constituents in favor of demands from corporations.

The Flathead’s members are Mark Blasdel, Dee Brown, Steve Lavin and Scott Reichner. Did you vote for one of these legislators?

Rodrik Brosten,

Bigfork