The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-07-05
FOR STATEHOOD.
The Montana constitutional Conven-
ton Assemblies and Effects
Temporary Organization.
Hon. J. K,TooIe Elected Temporary
President and w. n. Todd
Chief Clerk.
The Republicans Give a Complimentary
Vote TO Col. .Eaton-To-Day'.
Programme.

I
AfteFSecreisry Walker had called th,
convention 10 order and called the roll Mr.
BickfOrd, Of MissOuls, placed in nOmina
ton for temporary president of the conven
ton Hon. Joseph h. Toole, of Helena
Hon. W. A. Clark, in seconding the nomi
nation, paid graceful compliment to Mr.
Toole, to whom, he said, Montana was in
debted more than TO any other man. unless
it were Hon William NJ. Springer, for the
passage of the enabling act by the fiftieth
congress.
Mr.. Joy, of Park, nominated Col. George
| o. Eaton, than whom, he said, no mao was
better acquainted with the resGur. rs and
needs Of Montana. Essentially mining
| man, Intimately connected with the agri-
1 cultural interests. actively engaged in
| stock raising, an accomplished parlia-
| mentarian and gentleman in every po-
| sitiOn, the speaker declared that Col.
| Eaton would, If elected, RdOrn the position.
| Bris T seconding speeches were made by
| Messrs. Kennedy, of Missoula, Goddard, of
/ Yellowstone. and Hershfeld, of Lewis and
/ Clarke. Mr.. Middleton followed in a few
1 remarks eulOglstic OF Mr.. 1OOle. after
which Mr.. Conrad. of Choteau, moved that
the convention proceed to the election of
/ temporary chairman by ballot Gen. War
/ ren, of Butte, moved to substitute the viva
voce method. A vote was taken upon the
eide, division was taken. The amend
ment was rejected.
A ballot for temporary president was or
dered, and Major Maginnis stating that be
| was expected 10 deliver an address TO an
| assemblage at that time gathered in front
of the court house and awaiting his CON-
| ing, he was permitted to cast his ballot in
advance of the roll lcall. Messrs. Collins
and Hickman acted as tellers. The vote
resulted; Toole, 80; Eaton. 80; Ware, l.
In few well chosen words Col. Eaton
moved that the election OF Mr.. Toole be
made unanimous. Mr.. Hersh6eld seconded
the notion. which was carried with
heartiness that spoke elOQuently of the
popularity of Mr.. Toole with his colleagues
of the convention.
The teIlers were, on motion, instructed TO
present and introduce the temporary presi-
dent-elect and after that duty had been
performed ard the gavel resigned into his
hands by the territorial secretary, Mr..
Toole addressed the convention as follows,
being frequently Interrupted by applause:
Gentlemen OF the convention: L am
profoundly grateful for this evidence of
your confidence and esteem. l consider IL
no slight honor TO be chosen TO preside
over the temporary organization of this
Important body. 1t Is the largest deliber-
stive assembly ever convened in this terri
tory Certainly none over met charged
with higher duties OF graver respUusibili-
ties AS look this convention over and
see all of our actions clothed with the
authority of an act of congress, begin to
TesIizs how near &c are 20 ths tlsTeshis-5Id
OF statehood. Looking out onto the splen-
did procession which lines the street with
flying banners and gilded streamers, the
memory of other days comes back in
strange contrast with the present. The oc-
cGsion invites only glance at the pano-
rama of the past
In the stretch of a quarter of a century
we behold the birth OF this territory. Scat
tered here and there were a few intrepid
spirits, poorly housed and still more poorly
clad and fed, in pursuit of fortunes. The
population represented the best aud worst
elements of society. Malefactors and law
breakers were holding high carnival.
With them honor was jest and virtue a
fable. Law and order were "mOre hon
Ored in the breach than in the observance
Interesting as il might be time does not
permit to recount the dangers through
which the pioneers passed, nor the trials
and sufferings entailed upon them by
residence In such climate and under
such circumstances
Ii is enough 10 know that they overcame
every difficulty and surmOunted every
obstacle In all their lsudable ambitions
they finally triumphed. All along the line
will be found the record of an honorable
career. For twenty years l have been q
close observer of men and affairs in this
territory. During that time 1 have noted
with pride the increase OF our Intelligence,
the advancement Of our civilization, the de-
velOpment of our resources, the augmenta-
ton of our wealth, the stimulation of our
ambitions, and the realization of many of
our best hopes, until to-day | behold here
assembled the representatives OF people
who, by every rulc of virtue. education,
property, patriotism and industry, are fill
ing TO fullest measure every requirement of
citizenship.
Twenty-Five years have wrought these
and many other changes. They might
have been longer delayed under different
circumstances 1t was fortunate for us
that among the brave and adventurous
spirits who subdued the plains and con-
Quered the mountains in order that they
might lay here broad and deep the fOunda-
ton of great commonwealth. there were
not few men of high character, sound in
tegrity and rare ability. They formed the
nucleus around which matured and pros
peTed the brave men and beautiful women
of these matchless mountains They
Inhabited what wss then re-
mote land. | fain can hear the glad
acclaim that went up when the news. so
long delayed by the method of its coming.
finally reached them that Montana on the |
26th daY of May, 1854, had been organized |
as territory, and that the law, although |
travelling with a leaden heel, was soon 20
be securcly enthroned in their midst. The |
view OF our career as a people. of our un-
exempted progress and prosperity, the |
hardships endured and the ultimate sue
cess obtained thereby, ought ever be to us
an inspiring memory.
Before another six months shall have |
rolled around our territorial garments will |
be cast aside. new state will be born and |
spring full fiedged into the family OF
the union. and on her shining brow will be |
seen in golden and silver lights the coat OF
arms Of the state Montana, and there will |
be inaugurated a new festal day for us.
which, let us hope, we may cherish and |
perpetuate with no less interest and en- |
thUsiasm than that which seems 10 animate |
the great thrOng within our hearing in |
this celebration of the natal day Of our na- |
ton. (Applause.l
And finally, gentlemen Of the conven-
ton, when our labors shall have been con- |
cluded, and the time shall come when we /
are called upon 20 put aside our swsd |
ding clothes and don more fitting ralment |
may the territory which we shall have nur- /
tured into statehood lay down the sceptre /
opedIent 20 the constitution AMI the laws /
without the shadow OF repudiation having /
tainted its good credit OF the stain of dis /
honor having marred its bright escufeheon- |
For this high honor again 4 thank you
Nj Clark nominated William h Todd, |
of the Benton River Press, for temporary /
chief clerk. and he Was elected without /
opposition Temporary organization was /
completed by the election OF sam Alexan- |
der. of Helena, to be sergeant-at arms, and /
c. P. Connolly, Of Helena. TO be stenog- |
rapher.
on motion of Mr.. Collins. a committee of |
five waited upon Chief Justice Blake and /
notified him that the members of the con-
yentlon were prepared to receive the oath /
OF office, which was then administered.
a HOllen 70 appoint com on ere
dentials elected some discussion, but il was
finally voted down, the convention being
advised that the duties ordinarily devolv- i
ing upon such a committee would fall to
the committee on privileges and elections
On motion the convention adjourned 70
meet at D. M to-day. when permanent /
officers will be chosen. The democratic
members in caucus have decided 70 elect /
Hon. W. A. Clark, of Butte, president Of K
the convention, and the temporary chief /
clerk, sergeant-zf-srus and stenographer Il
will probably be continued in their Offices. /
The Washington Convention.
oLTNETA. W. T., July 45[Spe-
cisI to the Independent The con-
stituti0nal convention was opened by
Territorial Secretary White at the capital |
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