The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-10-11
THE CAMPAIGN OPENED.
SPEECHES BY COL. BOTKIN AND
MAX WATERMAN TUESDAY
NIGHT.
q Large and Enthusiastic Meeting and an
Excellent Address by Our Next
Delegate to Congress.

evening WIS dl AiluSNIslay 90
thusiastic one, the court room being
filled to its utmost capacity, while many
wishing TO hear the speeches were az
tually debarred admission on account O
the crowd. The martial band was on
hand ut an early hour, and played some
stirring music, while two large bonfire>
en- Main street, IN front OF he our
house. together with the firing OF anyi.s
added further to enlist the enthnsiasmo
the crowd i'm attendance. 1.-the WeatheI
had been more favorable and streets AND
sidewalks In o passable condition, it II
safe to gay the crowd would have beeN
at least az large again, and tl.at . mum
Der of seats would have been occupia.
by the gentler sex. Under the clrcum-
stances. however, 1t was a meeting .
which the republicans OF Benton may
well he proud, and we think they hav,
q right to consider that the campaign Oh
their side has been opened under aus
picious circumstances.
The meeting was called to order by
A. Cummings, who nominated G. w
Crane as president. The latter stated
briefly the OBJ ect ofthe meeting, and III
troduced Ma Waterman as the frst
speaker Of the evening.
Mr.. Waterman stepped forward anG
made a veEy happy speech OF half az
hour or SO. He accepted the statenen
&c IT, ol,ns.,~, 41.A ar forn,u3 satp.
duction was necessary, as he was per
sonally known to nearly everybody il
the audience, but cast q little doubt uUoi,
the announo cement that he would be Tia.
next district alto. Il, Y 81 the Third judi
cial district. That, in the opinion OF thu
speaker, would depend upon whetherol
not he could get more votes than hi
competitor, and as there was y blacl,
cloud in his pathway In the form Of hi
democratic majority, he was notinelineG
to make amy ~pretensions a. yet. Ate.
some Introductory remarks, M. Water
man proceeded to review the history O
the parties since 1850, showing some o
the good work accom- pl.shed Ivy the re
publican party during that time, an,
the claims it had upo2 the people To-
their further support and favor. In con
ciusi0n, be referred TO territorial matters
and while giving Maginnis credit fol
what he has done, maintained that any
man OF ordinary ability could have ac
colnpIished as much in ten years, Will,
Alex. @. Ro.kin, the republican III
inee, would make . record much mors
brilliant. Mr.. Waternan's speech wa
very we'll received.
Col. Botkin was then introduced, ans
for more than an hour he held tn
closest attention Of theaudience Will,
he discussed the Issues of the territorial
contest, making but the briefest refer
enee to national politics. During th'
course of his speech, the Colonel was FIRE
quently appiauded, and his many "happ,
hits'' enjoyed to the fullest extent. IL
said that he saluted o Benton audienc'
With a diff1denoe, knowing that a ria
iority Of the voters at this place were no
favorable TO his candidacy, and if hl
speech would secure him no support Ii
desired that it would cost him no Iriends
Of whom he hoped he had many in Che
teeNt county. He alluded briefly to tn
indictments brought against him per
sonally-being physically ixfirn and
'scarpet-baggers'-and brushed then
aside as campaign rubbish unWorth,
Of earnest consideration. The COlone
said that during his two yeats and a hal
of alRiction he had travelled a good man,
miles in Montana, and had no fears bu
that he could get around in Washingtol
city-at least he would never plead hi
n firmities for any neglect OF duties o
the interests Of his constituents.
Throughout the speech Major Magin
mis- was always referred to in most res
pecttul terms. While his unsayory cor
nection with the army ring and hi
various Sins Of omission as the represen
tative of the people of Montana Wer
shown up In nost admirable manner
and In suoh 8 way ne to give some Yer.
wholesome food Tor reflection to the bois
ferrous Maginnis men.
Reference was made in the most happ
W, y TO the TACT that the Maginnis sixtl
term boom had its start at Wilder
Landing, from which precinct the fir
Maginnis instructions were sent forth
"Wilders Landing is solid for Magir
.,p, 4, 4ha xy.., IF vyo harafdod Inv til