The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1884-01-31
From Maginnis to HeIena----A Letter from the
Capital City, by an Old Timer
EXPENSE.

Olihious lafe 10 any part OF OlVy, 10
Iotal............-....-.- 90
Good meals in frst-class hotel or
restaurant in Helena so cts.
COMFORT.
Across a rough country in open con-
yeyances with stations from sixteen to
thirty miles apart, in mid-winter, of
course there is not much; with more
stations, better stock, close coaches,
less whip and more water, passengers
will have to walk less and of course the
trip will be more pleasant.
RAILRoADING.
To one who has lived ON the frontier
half century, and not seen railroad
for twenty-five years, the sight of one
on our own soil, with its improved
engines, palace cars and air brakes, is
easier seen and felt than described, and
the query rises whether the great con-
venience of railway travel and traffic, is
not partially counterbalanced to such
as the writer by the destruction of game
and the breaking up of the grand soli-
tudes of nature to which he has so
long been accustomed We can at least
sympathize with the Indian who is now
looked upon as a stranger and vaga-
bond on his own soil. But to the
railroad.
The trip from Junction (Custer Sta
tion) to Helena is made in the night,
but the bright moonlight revealed to
us the beautiful valleys on the yellow
stone. The ascent of tie train over the
Bozeman divide. through drifting snow,
drawn by single engine, was slow and
difficult, but the descent down the
valley Of the Gallatin and on to Helena,
was smooth and rapid. At the Helena
depot-a mile or more below the city
a small town has grown up, consisting
of round house, depot, hotels, etc.
Strange faces, nobby suits, city omni-
buses and hacks attract the attention.
The improvements in Helena during
the past three years are very noticeable.
Telephones, electric lights, three and
four story blocks where formerly were
shanties or vacant lots, the numerous
banking houses, fine stores and jewelry
shops, all attest u substantial prosperity
and live people. Although the city is
flooded with strangers, the cordial
greeting and hearty hand-shaking re-
ceived at every step, prove that hun
dreds of the old whole-souled, large
hearted men and women that stood by
Helena in her days of issolation, are
still in the land of the living, and are
now reaping the reward of their faith
in her future prosperity.
The Constitutional Convention has
been in session three days. Your
county is represented by McClintock
and Fergus; Hasse, absent. Clark of
Butte, President, Van Cleve, of Billings,
Secretary. On the whole it is very
body of men, but being
largely of lawyers, who arc
generally fond of talking, business
moves slow. Politically, there are
nearly two democrats to one -Republi-
can, several of the republicans being
absent. 1t was hoped that politics
would not enter into its organization.
but the republicans foolishly offered
challenge by holding a caucus, which
the democrats were not slow to accept,
that is, the republicans walked up to
Sullivan and got knocked down MS they
deserved; the result is, the democrats
5ook all the offices, they had capable
men ready to fill and gave them big
pay, viz: two stenographers, $15 each
per diem; pages and firemen, 81, etc.
The republicans and q few democrats
fought for a reduction and accom-
plished something, claiming that the
should pay no more for
such services than was just and right.
)r that the members would be willing
20 pay for such service in their own
business; the democrats acting on tho
principle that "to the victors belong the
5poils." More again. f.