The Kalispell Bee

Game Warden Scott's appointment of his father as one of his deputies is as disgraceful an act of nepotism as has occurred in Montana so far. However, the practice is common in the United States. In Canada or Great Britain the public official who would use his authority to provide soft places for his relatives would be hooted from office, but in this country it seems to be quite the thing. Secretary Hay appointed his son to a consulship and Governor Toole appointed his sister-in-law to an easy job in his office, so that Warden Scott is only following illustrious examples. The objection to the practice is plain. An official cannot or will not hold a relative to the same strict account as he would one who is not a relative, and the relative knowing this it is but natural that advantage should be taken of such a condition. However Warden Scott's appointment of his father is unique in a way. The practice of fathers appointing sons to soft jobs is common enough, but it is not often that the rule is reversed.