The river press., 1885-01-21
OUR HELENA LETTER.
An Interesting. Goss1py Epistle From the
Capital.

HELENA, January II, 1885.
Editors of the River Press:
| As noon struck to-day the houses OF
the Montana legislature were called to
order and proceeded to organization.
| Every member was present, T believe.
and there was a large number of specta-
tors in the lobby. A glance at the per-
sonneS Of the council is interesting
DeWolfe of Silver Bow with pleasing
manners and genial face; Morris of
Madison looks troubled, as if there vas
q bee in his hat; DR.. Mitchell is. as of
old, agreeable, and although nervous on
the president business, held his head up
and must have seen at once that there
was no earthly chance for him: Buck
OF Choteau seems undisturbed as the
ballots We're prepared over and over
while people pointed him out as a possi-
bic dark horse; Cardwell and Mr.. Fer
gus are old-timers, and Greene of Yel-
loWstone is the energy Of the whole
council; Cotant of Miles is fine look
ing fellow, and Armstrong of Bozeman
lmpresses me as level headed, safe
man. The council, as body, is a good
set OF men and should do some work.
They seem disposed to understand the
needs of legislation and will appreciate
our wants.
The house is also representative as
sembly. It has been long time since
any legislature has met with more in
telllgent men in it. The republicans
are making use of every advantage, and
it is joy to the party to see how adroit-
~ they manage affairs. Potts, Gallo
way, Seligman and others befriended
Choteau in urging Westeryelt for assist
ant clerk and carrying him through.
lie (Westervelt) has made friends since
his arrival, and your county is to be
congratulated upon your entire delega-
tlon-Buck, Taylor and Westervelt.
Of course county divisions are an alb
sorbing topic. Fergus wants commits
sion to recommend suitable counties,
but Sloan of Livingston is ,''h-l b-t"
on new county from Gallatin, and says
they must have it. Missoula wants di-
vision, Townsend wants to be a county
seat, Yellowstone wants all that part of
Meagher by Olden and up that way, and
Lewis and Clarke wants part of Jeffer-
son. From what hear Jesse Taylor is
not yet decided whether he wants new
county of Choteau and Lewis and Clarke
or not.
The office OF district attorney will un-
doubtedly be abolished, and Hunt and
Blake are on record as favoring county |
A move is on foot to have |
the new law take effect at once, but this |
meets much opposition. IF such bill |
is moved it is proposed to create the of |
flee Of attorney general, to be filled by
appointment, in which event the repub- |
licans all unite in saying that Hunt
must be the appointee or the bill will
not even be considered.
Making nearly all Offices salared is a
hobby of Gov. Potts, and meets with
favor. A law making it a penalty for
! county treasurer to deposit with bank
$ talked Of, as cure for allowing coun-
y funds to lie at interest for the officers
benefit.
In city charters, mayors court, with
salaried mayor, is to be discussed, with
view to get rid Of police magistrates.
Cattle men are prominent. One of
hem remarked the other night that
the cowboys have the Montana legisla-
ure and the rebels the U. S. govern
aent, and the devil is to pay.n
The supreme court is sitting but doing
cry little. Lawyers are leaving for
heir homes and the politicians and lob,
visits will have it all to themselves.
Yours, DAWSON.
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