The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-10-22
THE REPUBLICAN RALLY.
The Most Enthusiastic Political
Meeting Ever Held in Cho-
teau County.
Grand Torchllght Procession, FIRING of
Cannon, and Eloquent Speeches by
Judge Knowles, w. Fl. Hunt,
w. /. Parker, Col. LEAN
ing and Others.

The most imposing demonstration
ever given in Choteau county took place
Tuesday afternoon and evening. AT
two O'Clock a delegation of citizens in
carriages crossed the ferry at the foot OF
Baker street to meet the distinguished
speakers who were to address the meet
Ing In the evening. AS the first vehicle
came in sight on the return, a gun was
fired and the firing continued until the
party arrived in town. Mr.. Knowles
was taken to the Choteau house and Mr..
Hunt was driven to his residence
NAt seven O'Clock in the evening "a
large croWd=of- republicans gatheredat
the Choteau house to secure torches for
the procession. The line of march was
then taken up, the procession passing
through Power etreet to Main, up Main
10 Benton, down Benton to Front,
down Front to Baker, up Baker to
Washington, up Washington to- the
court house. In passing the residence
of MI. Hunt three rousing cheers were
given for the next district attorney.
This demonstration was the first of the
kind ever held in Choteau county and
reflects great credit on the gentlemen
who had the matter in charge. At the
court house the cannon were fired and
rockets discharged, and bonfires illumi-
mated the entire section. The torches
were extinguished and the crowd went
into the hall.
Half an hour before the speakers ar
rived theespacious court room was filled
t0 oYerfoWing with people from all
parts Of the county, and many ladies
egraeed the occasion by their presence.
When the speakers arrived the apsr'ause
which greeted thentanst=Aape been tx-
tremely gratifyingI Nh. r. A. CUM
mings, chairman ofsthe republican CEN
trail committee, called the meeting to
order. Col. Mack j. Leaning was CALI
ed to the chair, and in a few happy re!
marks introduced Willis F. Parker,
This was Mr. Parker's maiden effort;
and he created a plt asant impression OH!
his hearers. He reviewed the situation
more particularly as regards county,
were familiar to him. \
The next speaker was Hon. VIM. HI.
Hunt. AS he mounted the stand thesI
audience greeted him with thunders Of
applause, and it was some time before |
be could proceed. However, when he
entered upon his remarks, reviewing
national, territorial and local issues,
every one was impressed with his clear,
logical and sound reasoning, and he was
declared to be one of the best orators in
Montana. In abiding to his own cam
didacy Mr.. Hunt said that although he
was a young man, he was not too young
to prosecute criminals, and if elected he
would do his duty fearlessly. He was
frequently interrupted by long-contin-
ued applause.
Judge Knowles was then introduced. |
He reviewed the great national issues in |
a mastery manner, and proved con-
clusiyely that the people of the terrific
ries were as much interested in the ques-
ton of tariff as these of any state in the |
Union. AS to Mr.. James G.. Blaine, and
the aspersions which had been cast upon
him, he made it clear to every thinking
man that these things were untrue. In
regard to the public domain he stated
that if elected he would use his utmost
endeavors to have the great reservation
bill passed. His speech occupied about
three-quarters of an hour, and was lis
tened to with great attention. The vot-l
ers of Choteau county can rest assured
that the affairs Of the territory, with
Judge Knowles as delegate in congress, |
will be safe in his hands.
Il