Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-09-11
INDIGNATION MEETING IN
HELENA.
from the Helena Herald. ]


HELENA.
From the Helena Herald
Pursuant to notice as published in the city
papers for a meeting OF the citizens OF the
Territory. the largest coEcourse OF people
convened last evening at the Court House
that we ever remember to have seen since We
have been in the Territory. Judge Lawrence
was called to the chair by reclamation; K.
E. Fisk and L. F. LaCroix Secretaries. Judge
Lawrence briefly stated that the purpose Of
the meeting was to give expression to the in
dignation Of this people at the fraud that is
being attempted to be perpetrated in Viz
ginis City, in recognizing in the canvass the
fraudulent returns OF Meagher county.
Col. W. f. Chadwick, having been called
for. addressed the meeting, and gave an
account Of the proceeding by which it was
sought to defraud Helena of the Capital.
which had been accorded to her by large
majority of the Territorial vote. He said
that tie large assembiage before him had not
come together to listen to wordv discourses,
but to take action upon the course that IS
necessary to obtain our rights, and to vindi-
cate the sacreuness of the ballot, which Is the
only guarantee Of our liberties.
On motion the following gentlemen we're
appointed by the Chair a Committee to draft
resolutions expressive of the sense OF the
people on tic outrage which had been at
tempted lately in Virginia City. viz: Col.
| w. F. Chadwick, II. Il. Williams, d. &. Cor
bin. Mai. Boyce and VIM D. Cullen. The
Committee refined to draft resolutions. and
after repeated calls Col. w. F. Sanders as
crnded the stand and remarked that the &C.
easion that calls ,ls together is too grave to
permit US to engage in words Or acts prompt
ed by passion. We must be prudent. The
crime that has been perpetratcd in altering
the returns Of Meagher county, Will" str'k-
ing directly at Helena to rob her OF the Capt.
tai. was striking at the dearest rights of every
citizen Of the Territory. He depicted in eto-
quent language the consequences that must
inevitably follow il such crimes are allowed
to triumph aud the perpetrators go uppanisl'-
ed.
Col. 4. N. Voolfolk, being called for, IN
burning words delivered himself Of his de-
tcstation of the outrage which now moved
our people AZ one man. AS citizeL he was
willing to give all the assistance ia his power
to avert the consequences OF this hi2h-hand-
ed act. He was willing 10 accompany Mar
shall Wheeler and the Recorder, Collins, Of
M.aghcr county and to present will, them to
Governor Potts and Secretary Gala way the
evidences o. tho fraud by which the votes of
the people Of Meagher county are attempted
to be robbed. and to ask them that .his in
justice may not succeed.
N. G. Page. after repeated calls, rose to his
feet and addressed the meeting. lie thought
that there was little ground for the passion
which controlled our people. A great wrong
was sought to be pcrpctsa,cd. The vote Of
Meashcr colnty was well known to every
man in Montana. There has been no can
vass OF the Territorial vote. for tho rcturns OF
the vote Of Measher county are VIGOROUSLY
fraudulent. which, utilities the canvass. He
WAS pleased 20 say that Governor Potts had
never betrayed a trust or negies ted the call
Of duty. The evidence OF fraud which can b.
presented to the Governor will he sufficient
to satisfy him that great wrong threatens
us, aud that he would interposc in behalf OF
right end justice.
Nr. Pags's remarks were listened to with
marked attention and were applauded long
and heartily.
The meeting adopted a preamble setting
for b that it appeared from a;iidayiis and
other evidences before them, that the v, tc of
Mcagher county on the Capital Law was
fraudulently changed in Virginia. and then
proceeded to adopt The following resolutions:
Rcsolved, by the citizens of Lewis & Clarke
county, That i. is with feelings OF indiyna-
t;Oh. mingled with regret, that we review the
gross fraud that has been perpetratcd ~ de-
signing villains, in the interest of Virginia
City, upon the electors Oi the entire Terri.
tory, and more especially On those Of Mcagl.-
er county. With the Indignation that an
election fraud so mOnstr0us and su5versive
Of our mos, vital Interests should be perpt-
tratratctl in our Territory and even to nee.
with tie sanction of those hisl, in official sta
ton; with regret that amy coniiai:ni,y with
in our borders should she.cr and cOuute.,-
ance the person who would be guilty Of such
Il crime.
Resotped, That We viii devote our time.
our energies and our means to the detection
ara ptltllShNl'I,t III the miScreanfS who Dlan-
ned aud cxcc"ted this fraud upon the decis-
ion Of our electors and violated the election
laws OF the Territory.
Rerolcca, That we call upon Wells. Fargo
s. Co. fO~ prompt investigation of tl:is ou.-
rage upon the p op!e, by tampering with The
election returns OF Mcaghcr CO. niy, which
was evidently committed in their Office a,
Virginia City; and il il shall be proven that
this fraud was perpetrated while the said re-
turns OF the Capital vote were in their Office
at SAID place, then we demand the dismissal
Of ii. S. Howell from their employ, as Agent.
Resoiced, That We call upon the Hon. Jas.
+. Galloway. rs Secretary OF the Territory. to
give lis such information as lie may possess
relative to the care and custody Of said el. G.
ton rctnrns from Meagher county. after their
arrival in Virginia CITY, and If Tie same were
allowed to remain in the Express Office for
tue period OF IS days. or whereabouts. instead
OF being deposited in the Sccretary's safe, in
his Office.
Resolced, That this high-haidcd outrage
upon The laws of the Territory and the dear
est rights OF an A lerican citizen. demand
the condemnation OF every honest man in ne
Territory. And VIC cordially invite all who
are not in favor Of fraud and forgery in every
county In the Territory. to Cooperate with
US in detecting. exposing and furnishing the
Otfe ders and their advi ers and abett0rs.
RPS0{pl1 'nhnt rms lrs.ot il, ~ .. . ~.