The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-01-30
AGAINST HUNTS BILL
Meeting Of Citizens at the Y. NJ CA
Rooms Declare Against Gamb-
ling and Oppose Licensing.
WANT 1T WIPED OUT.
No Middle Measure Will Do, But
Every Gambling House Should
Be Made to Close Its Doors
and Stop Its Games.

The meeting called at the Y. M. Q. A.
rooms last night for the consideration OF
the recommendations made by the COVER
nor relative to anti. gambling and the OBJ
servance OF the Sunday law, attracted
about fifty people. One lady was noticed
In the assemblage. Judge j. w. Eddy
was made chairman and Mr. Wheeler sec
retary OF the meeting. The chairman
stated that the object Of the meeting was TO
reinforce the public sentiment against
gambling. Rev. Mr.. Moore, In responding
10 request TO speak, referred 10 the COVER
or'srecommendation and said he had some
suggestions to make TO attain the object
desired. In commenting upon the evils he
said there were many laws on the statutes
which should not be there. Capital Is kept
IRON the territory by their existence. The
governors message Is regarded as direct
challenge 70 the legislature 10 act on these
matters. When the governor penned those
lines he didn't expect the legislature would
at once take hold of the subjects, and II he
did he has been disappointed. IL now re-
mains Tor citizens who have opinions to ex-
press them. The question is, Is 1t wise 70
inaugurate movement 10 get public senti-
ment from all over the territory? He be-
lieved that certain element. and In fact
majority OF Helena citizens, are opposed 10
licensing gambling in any form, and be
was sure the whole territory felt the
same way. Some men, he said, who
have opinions are afraid to express
them, thinking anything they might say
would iDlure their business. But unity
would give this class courage to speak out,
who, through timidity. have no voice. We
want TO unite the sentiment OF the whole
community and give expression 10 this
sentiment IL II ayails nothing with the
OF bringing such an expression TO the sur
face, which we may present to q succeed
ing Legislature should we accomplish moth
ing. lie said we were long way behind
other states. Many of the present laws
are blot on the reputation OF the people.
While he did not claim 10 be an agitat0r or
an expert politician, he suggested that an
executive committee be appointed to be
composed OF gentlemen who are in SYM
pathy with the movement This commit
tee Is authorized TO work up mass meetings
In Helena, Butte, Anaconda, Deer Lodge,
Missoula, Bozeman and Great Falls, the
meetings 10 be held simultaneously in each
place II possible.
A motion TO appoint the committee rec
ommended by Mr.. Moore was adopted, and
three gentlemen from the audience were
names. The three selected were Messrs.
Sanford. Ellis and Wilcox, who retired 10
another room,
Massena Bullard then took the floor. He
began by saying that the Hunt bill was an
Ubiquitous measure which should not pass.
He thought the expression OF sentiment
should not be- limited 10 Helena but should
extend all over Montana lie had very
little regard for the Hunt bill, but would
rather see II than nothing at all. He was
absolutely opposed 10 the government re-
ceiying any revenue from any vice in exist
ence; he would rather see the treasury de-
pleted II II would save young men from
the vice OF gambling. He considered the
gambling In clubs composed OF leading cit
liens far worse than the open sure-thing
games on Main street.
Dr. q. Z. swallow spoke at some length.
while on newspaper In this city he had
an opportunity to feel the public pulse,
and whenever he had an article on any re-
ligi0us topic he met with considerable op-
position, but finally found sympathy com
ing from all parts of the territory and felt
confident that II the present topic was left
10 vote of the people the result would be
A majority for anti gambling and the Sun
day law. He also said that the present
movement needed the assistance of the
women. and upon motion the executive
committee was authorized 70 add ladies TO
lts number. Judge Eddy also spoke In Ia
vor Of the mass meeting and thought IL
would have grand effect
Rev. MT Webb also spoke, after which
the committee Of three presented the fol-
lowing names for the executive committee:
Massena Bullard, chairman; G.. q. Swal-
low, ii. G.. Arnold, +. Atkinson. Fred
Gamer, Geo. @. Martin, Il. Sharpe @.
Hedges, A. G. Clarke, w. G.. Bailey, DIR.
NJ. @: Parsons, Prof. Baird. DIR. Q. X.
~. NtF. n
Englehorn, Il. A. Carleton, J. M. Wood
bridge, o. Q. Bundy, J. Armitage, IL. v.
Wheeler. J. w. Wade, X. II. Howey, Q. d,
Cleaver, II. Cameron, j. X. Sanford, G. II.
Ellis, Timothy Wilcox Rev. Mr.. Moore
then had the audience rise and pledge IT.
self 10 devote time and energy 10 the move.
ment Rev. G. b. Allen, Jr., offered q
prayer, which was followed by hymn,
and the meeting adjourned TO meet again
at the call OF the chairman.