Judge defended legacy in history interview

By JIM MANN

The Daily Inter Lake

Former secretary of state, legislator and gubernatorial candidate Bob Brown interviewed Tom Judge for a history series just a few week's before Judge's death on Friday.

"It was really one of the best interviews I've ever had," said Brown, a senior fellow with the University of Montana's Center for the Rocky Mountain West. "He was proud that he had been governor during Montana's second progressive era."

That era, from 1972 to 1981, "was a period of great political activism and reform and change," Brown said. "And he was very proud of the fact that he presided over that era."

Brown has done about 30 interviews with prominent Montana historical figures, most of them political, for the university's Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library. Judge was fairly difficult to reach, Brown said, but he eventually made contact through his son, Patrick Judge.

"He immediately responded and said he very much wanted to participate," Brown said. Judge flew to Helena from Arizona for the interview about five weeks ago.

"He had prepared for the interview, obviously," Brown said. "It was mostly a spirited defense of his legacy, and the progressive reforms that had taken place during his time as governor."

While Judge died of pulmonary fibrosis Friday, Brown said the former governor was obviously wracked with symptoms of severe arthritis. Brown said Judge's condition had grown much worse from when he saw him about two years ago.

Judge took office in 1972, the same year that Montana's Constitution took shape. During his following terms in office, considerable environmental legislation was passed into law, including the Major Facilities Siting Act and air and water pollution controls.

Judge expressed frustration and disappointment that some of that legislation was softened in recent legislative sessions, Brown said.

Brown said he was a 23-year-old Republican legislator from Whitefish when he first met Judge, who was the Democratic lieutenant governor at the time.

"The only bill I ever had vetoed was vetoed by Tom Judge," Brown said. "He told me that his problem with it was fundamental, he just didn't agree with it."

But Brown said he was greatly appreciative of Judge calling him to his office to explain the veto.

Brown, who went on to serve 27 years in the Legislature, his final term as president of the Senate, recalls that Judge was a "philosophical liberal." But, Brown said, Judge was more pragmatist than liberal ideologue.

"He was very interested in finding solutions to problems rather than confrontations," Brown said. "He was very approachable and easy to talk to and was willing to try work things out."

Reporter Jim Mann may be reached at 758-4407 or by e-mail at jmann@dailyinterlake.com