The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-24
And the Republicans Run the Rump
in a Second Story
Room.
The Democrats Show Their Deter
mination TO Do What
Is Right
The House Organized by the Democrats
hut no Republicans Barred
Out

court chamber az the house. quorum OF
twenty-eight members was present al the
opening of the session.
The trouble anticipated 10y some did not
occur. Beyond the unusual interest attend
ing the assembling Of the first Legislative
house, there was no excitement more than
general discussion over the events leading
up TO the day. There was general feeling
of good nnturcd satisfaction over the result
of the controversy. The democrats were
iubilani over their victory in securing the
organization Of the house and the republi-
cans present seemed 10 feel thnt the plans
of their conspirators had suddenly col
lhpsed.
The corridors OF the court house began
filling up with spectators nc an early hour.
The representatives had gathered in their
hall several hours before the session WAS
called. but the doors were locked and no one
WAS permitted 10 enter until noon. In Gov
ernor Ioole's rooms, which were open during
the morning, an informal reception was held.
The governor was kept busy shaking hands
with his friends and receiving congratuln-
tons on his proclamation of Friday. The
offices of the state officers were open and
republicans and democrats alike dropped in
10 pay their respects to the various officials.
The republican senators were around the
corridors, waiting for the senate room 10
open. There was plenty of good natured
chat among the politicians OF both sides,
no signs of the contest appearing in the in
tercourse between them. All of the leading
democrats in town were at the court house.
Col. Broadwatcr was one of the earlier ar
rivals, who chatted with the governor until
the proceedings upstairs demanded atten-
tion. Ex-Governor Hauser was on the
scene with Hon. w. A. Clark. of Butte.
Major Maginnis WIS an Interested spectator
Col. Sam Word and many prominent demo
Gratis Of Helena were present, including ex-
Auditor Sullivan. Hon. X. Il. Smith, Judge
Mcconnell, Col. Curtis. Judge Bach, A. j.
Davidson. ID. A. q. Floweree, ". B. Raj
eigh, Major Davenport, Judge Garfield and
w. q. Preuitt. Hon. George Washington
Stapleton and Captain BranRgnn were
there from Butte, Hon. Walter Cooper and
Editor Nerkes of Bozoman; Editor
Jerry Collins, Hon. Paris Gibson
%nd md T. T. Collins. Rs,oda Of Gre", g. n,.l Fails
were there. while the Ihotcnu county dem
ooracy was well represented hy David O..
Browne, Editor W. H.Todd and Col. G. Il.
Conrad of Benton. In nddltIon to these
names there were many well known demo-
cr,is present. They were scnttercd about
in groups exchanging pleasnntrics, political
and otherwise. As the noon hour drew near
the crowd increased. The north door of the
circuit court room was locked and at the
southern end II gunrd WAS stationed Ia keep
the gathering people back. While every
one was patiently waiting for the APP
pointed time an amusing incident occurred.
The hurrying form of Tom Power who will
be remembered as "A cauiidatc for cuberua-
iorinl honors, came rushing through the
democratic thrung, toward the representa-
tiyes' room. He prnsped the door knob
firmly bnt gently and tired to force his way
through the heavy oakon door. When the
crowd gnye him the laugh hIs dimlnutiyo
form rose up and his squcnky voice AN
nounced; II just thought I'D see if IT was
locked Again the lnugh cnme forth and
the little commodore hurried away.
Atl2 O'Clock the galleries were opened aud
tile crowd rushed mp stairs. In another
minute the visiiors' seats we're packed with
psople. The front row uf seats were filled
with interested lady visitors
On the iloUr of the house business was at
once commenced. lhcteprpscntAtiyos took
their seats. G. Z. Bakrly. the oldest rep
resonlalive present, called the house to
order and asked for the roll cnll. which Waa
read by Repre- outatiye u. l.. Frank. OF
Silver Bow. There being twenty eight rep
resentatlves present, the presiding officer
announced the house Of representatives Of
the first Legislative body of the state of
Montana open and rcndy for business. Mr..
Blakely's strong voice had hardly ceased
before roof.rnising cheer went from the
gallery and house. TWAS fully five minutes
before the three hundred spectators ceased
hurrahing. On the door the members
joined in the applause by clapping their
hands and cheering over the democratic
organization Of the hodse. When this little
excitement was over the house resumed
business. On motion Of Mr.. Fmnk the
credentials were presented and the repre-
sentntiyes sworn In by County Attorney
Nolan.
The oath having been subscribed, the
temporary organization of the house WAS
proceeded with. On motion of Mr.. Frank
Mr.. Blakely WAS elected Temporary speaker,
Charles Y. Pond, Of Jefferson, was chosen
temporary chief clerk. Miles Finlen, of
Butte, WIS elected temporary scrgennt-nt-
arms, and Sam Alexander. of Helena, was
elected temporary doorkecper.
On motion of Mr.. Frank the chair ap-
pointed Messrs. Fmnk, 'loOle. WhnleY,
Wallace and McElwee as committee ON
credentials. After u short retirement the
committee reported list which was read by
the clerk. The only democratic absentee
WAS X. G.. Humber, Of Deer Lodge. The re-
port WAS adopted and the committee CON
tinued
The speaker then instructed the clerk 10
read the following communication from the
governor TO Capt. Smiths
Capt. John Smith, IN charge of House OF
Representatives, SIR 40 II o'clock noon.
10 day, you will open the doors 90 the house
of representatives, and admit no person 90
the tlCor except persons clniming 10 be
members Of thht body. When notified by
any member whom you have admitted that
the house of representatives hns temporarily
organized, you Will turn over your keys 10
such person ah the house may designate. II
the auditor Of the state appears at the door
before you nrc relieved by The person desig-
mated by the house Of representatives.. you
will admit him 10 the hOor Of the house.
When you are relieved by such person your
employment ccaseH. j. X. 1oOLE,
Governor.
This letter clearly shows that il was at no
time the intention of the governor 10 have
admission 10 the house refused 10 the
auditor or to the republicans cluimiug meut-
bership 20 the house. Tho republican rop-
resentntiyes were as free 10 20 on the floor
OF the house ns democrats. The claimants
10 seats were not refused admission. They
could have rennined on the floor until their
cases were disposed of by the proper com
mittees Of the house Of representatives.
recess WAS then taken until 2 o'clock.
After the session was concluded the inter
est in the legislature, ~ far as the crowd
WAS concerned, was gone. Everyone felt
that the question Of the control of the
house was settled, The contest had settled
down into the dry humdrum OF business
and the democrats were ON top. The repre-