(Dave Manning tribute, continued)
Ode to Ruth, continued
You'll always be an inspiration
as we work by our husbands' side;
And we'll often point to the Mannings' record
with admiration and pride.
Yes, we look up to you with wonder,
for your stamina, tried and true,
But most of all we love you, Ruth,
Just because you're you.
The legislative story of Dave Manning . . . through 50 years of history of Treasure County and Montana
Soon after Dave Manning was elected to the Montana House of Representatives in 1932 and A. J. Plumer was elected to the Montana Senate the men put this pledge in the Hysham Echo.
". . . We hereby acknowledge our appreciation of the confidence you have reposed in us in choosing us to represent you in the next legislature. We pledge to you our best efforts to secure for you the kind of legislation you want, and to this end we earnestly desire and ask your cooperation and assistance.
"We are in accord with the plan of the Farmers Union Treasure County Local to hold weekly instead of monthly sessions during . . . the legislative session in January and February . . . these sessions to constitute an open forum at which the citizens of the county may discuss and analyse all house and senate bills which will be sent by us to the secretary as fast as they appear on our desks.
". . . We also invite the participation in these councils of the local Treasure County Taxpayers League members, either collectively or individually.
"In this way you will be able to check up on not only your own two legislators but also on others as well."
A. J. Plumer, Senate
Dave Manning, House
In 1932 each county of Montana had a representative to the state legislature, one member to the House of Representative and one member to the Senate.
The country had been torn by a depression that ruined farmers and businessmen alike.
It was not a good time for the politicians of the country . . . there was rioting, there were bread lines.
But Dave Manning thought it was the time for him, as a fledgling politician, to work in the state House of Representatives of Montana. He filed for the office in 1932 and was elected in November of that year.
While running for the office of State Representative Dave was serving on the city council of Hysham, running and contracting business and was the owner of the Yucca Theater in Hysham.
When the dust settled in November, 1932, Dave Manning had defeated incumbent J. C. Sheffer by a vote of 399 to 239. Dave was never to look back from that day.
Voting precincts in Hysham for the first Representative race ever run by Dave Manning were Beaver Creek, Sanders, Hysham, Big Horn, Rancher, and Bone Coulee.
There were 85.2% of the registered voters who came to the polls that year. Hysham had a voter turnout of 302 out of 330.
In 1932 it was "one man, one vote" and each county in the state had a member in the House of Representatives.
Earlier in the summer of 1932 Dave Manning's Construction Company had won the bid on the Custer Battlefield Water System, awarded by the U. S. War Department.
The fourth of July in 1932 was not the usual hot one. Threatening skies brought cold weather and rain for much of the day. The county-wide picnic dinner and program was moved to Buffington Hall. But in the morning the youngsters got in some footraces and other athletic events at the school grounds. At the end of the day Buffington Hall was host to the dance.
When the legislature convened in 1933 Dave Manning was appointed to serve on the Constitutional Amendment Committee, Irrigation Committee, Horticultue, Aviation and Fair and Expositions Committees. He also served on the important Water Conservation Board.
CONTINUED