The Dillon tribune., 1885-02-28

to most of the readers of your excellent
paper throughout Southern Montana. The
fall of snow has been heavy. Sleighing
and hauling or sleds are almost the exclu-
sive modes of travel and transportation on
all the country roads and about the CITY,
Though we are in the midst of the dullest
season of the year, all branches OF mer-
camille business maintains an encouraging
activity, and, but for the temporary sus'
pension of work at some Of the smelters,
we should have more than the usual
amount of trade for the time Of year.
Mining operations are active. Bonding,
leasing and selling Of mines and mining
property have been more active this winter
than at any former time in the history Of
the Butte district. There is prospect Of
the development Of more new mining prop.
critics this spring and the coming summer
than ever before in one year. In brief,
Butte is booming, lively and hopeful
camp in all that pertains to the material
success of big mining community.
Will. Butte is acknowledged to be the
liveliest and most progressive mining
camp in the world, vast and rapid strides
toward the moral improvement of society
arc being made, under the very inspiring
encouragement given by the Montana
House of Representatives by the passage
OF Forbis' bill providing for the suppress
ing OF gambling. This was the signal for
a spontaneous uprising Of the friends of
moral reform to urge and encourage its
passage in the Council. The merits Of the
measure have been very fully and earnest
~ discussed in all the pulrits and in both
Of the newspapers of Butte, and the pro-
priety and practicabillty Of the enforce
,ncnt of such law have formed one Of the
chief topics of conversation ately-agita-
ton finally eliminating in the assembling
in the Opera House of the largest mass
meeting ever convened in Butte on any
moral question affecting the interests of
the people personally and collectively.
Many Of the leading lawyers, principal
physicians: eminent mining superintend-
ents, ard intiuen..l men Of all commend
able pursuits were present. Many of the
members OF the Women's Christian Tenn
perance Union and large number more
Of the best and most intelligent ladies Of
the city we're also present. Hon. Hiram
Knowles was chosen to preside. and Prof
]. K. Davis was appointed secretary Of the
meeting. A number Of prominent citizens
Of Silver Bow county were selected as
vice presidents.
Judge Knowles after stating the object of
meeting to be that Of taking action to en-.
courage the honorable Council Of Nor
tana to pass the Forbis bill to prohibit
gambling in this Territory, presented some
very logical arguments on the baneful in
fluences and demoralizing effects Of gamb- |
ling on both the individual and the COM
munity. He earnestly recommended the
adoption Of S; CHI resolution as would as
sure our legislators that to enact law pro-
hibiting gambling would be heartily appro-
we'd BY a majority Of the people Of Butte.
a number of other emininent citizens |
followed Judge Knowles in ringing ad-
dresses denunciatory of the gambling vice.
Among the speakers were Dr.L. E. Holmes,
Mr.. Dyer, Hon. Chas. S. Warren, Rev.
Father Dolls: Rev. Mr.. Frost, Rev. Mr..
Blackiston and Hon. Lee Mantle. The
vice Of gambling, in all Of its debasing
and demoralizing features and influences,
was wildly portrayed by all of the speak
ers in Enthusiastically convincing words
Graphic descriptions Of the effects Of gam.
bling on the moral condition of the people
were given. 1t was conclusively shown
that the time has come when We must pro-
tect society in Montana from being over
run by the hordes Of gamblers from other
Territories and the States where laws have
been made prohibiting gambling. Idaho
and Montana are the exceptions in the roll
Of States and Territories having laws for
the suppression Of this great evil. The
reverend gentlemen were earnest and clio. |
quent in their appeals to the audience to |
encourage the passage Of the law under
consideration. Throughout the meeting,
which was enthusiastic, It was plainly ap- |
parent that the people Of Butte, except the |
sporting fraternity, had taken decided |
stand against gambling, and public feeling |
was grandly exempli6ed in the great out.
pouring Of her best citizens at this anti. |
gambling mass meeting.
Emphatic resolutions in favor Of the pas
sage Of the Forbis anti-gambling law were
adopted without dissenting voice. Three
rousing cheers were given for Hon. John
E<>rlN2a ossHhnr IS kh> LII IT,