Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-09-22
MANLY RETRACTION.

Preceding the nomination of Mr.. Toolc
for the Deleeateship and Immediately fol-
lowing it, Republican newspapers through
out the Territory took great delight in
reproducing articles which from time to
time appeared in the Benton River Press,
d~enouncing Mr.. Toole for alleged neglect Of
the interests of northern Montana in not
securing the opening OF the great Blackfeet
Indian reservation to settlement. Our
esteemed evening contemporary, the Inter
Mountain, fondled these articles with low
ing care and displayed them to its readers
dressed in rich thoughts and crowned with
flowers OF rhetoric. 1t declared in season
and out OF season that Mr.. Toole had
shamefully neglected to discharge his duty
to his constituents::in Choteau County and
that an almost solid vote would be cast
against him by the people OF northern
Montana The MINER maintained that
MIR. Toole did all in his power to open the
reservation to settlement and that it was
not opened is due to circumstances
over which Mr.. Toole had no control
1t gives us pleasure to publish an'article
from the River Press OF the 18th inst.
which not only ~fortifies the position taken
by The MINER, at the time our esteemed
evening contemporary preferred its sense
less charges against Mr.. Toole. but is a
straightforward, manly retraction by the
River Press OF its previous allegations
against our Delegate. In this explanation
of it's former utterances the Press not only
does Mr.. Toole ample justice. but adds the
testimony OF one OF the most prominent
and by far the most popular Republican in
the Territory, to the fidelity OF our Dele
gate to the interests of northern Montana.
Here is what the River Press says:
Before the assembling OF the Democratic
Convention the River Press took grounds
against the denomination Of Delegate Toole,
for the reason that we thought then that
he had not labored as successfully in be-
half of northern Montana measures as he
might have done. The Delegates address
at this place last Saturday evening, row.
ever, put the matter in a new light alto
gether, showing that he was unjustly made
the object OF adverse criticism, in that mis-
most diligent efforts were put forth in be-
half OF legislation affecting this section.
His plea was sincere, honest and convinc-
ing, and was accepted as such by political
friends and foes alike. During the dark
days OF the early part OF this year. when
it seemed that the very fate OF Fort Ben
ton hung in the balance, we grew naturally
impatient and were prone to expect too
much OF our delegate. We forgot the Diff
~ficulties that stand in the way Of national
legislation even Of the simplest sort, and 80
much greater in q case involving the open
ing OF an immense Indian reservation, and
for the want OF somebody else to find fault
with laid all the blame on Delegate TOole.
BY his showing and the evidence adduced
it was clearly unfair aud unjust criticism,
as manyn now admit who before held the
delegate responsible for various sins OF
omission and commission.
In his speech here Mr.. Toole said: II
want to quote the evidence OF a gentleman
who has large interests in your town and
a leader OF the Republican party
and one in whOm.you all have the fullest
confidence refer to Mr.. Thomas C..
Power. He did me proud the other day in
Helena by volunteering the statement thai
| was authorized to state on his authority
he certainly has a full knowledge OF
all the facts-that any allegations or in
to the effect that l had not been
to the citizens of northern Mon
tana and diligent in seeking to promote
their interests. are utterly without founda-
This is evidence OF a convincing
sort. Mr.. Power was in a position to
the facts of the case, and he recently
told the writer the same thing.
Mr.. Toole told the people OF Benton on
the occasion OF his late visit, that he had
hia hpa RI m tho nnepinO ri fhia rroot
Northern country to settlement and that
be will devote his utmost energies to that
end. This we believe he will do, and that
it is to the interest OF the people OF this sec.
ton to strive to re-elect him there can be |
no doubt. Inthe present situation We can. |
not afford to try q representative OF the |
Pacific railroad.