The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-09
President Harrison Issues His Proc.
lamation Formally Admitting
Montana TO Statehood.
j. K. Toole Takes the Oath of OF
fee and Assumes the Reigns
of Government.
Scenes and Incidents Attending the Cere-
mony-C Congratulations from all sides
As Viewed at Washington.

Montana is state. For several days the
people of the territory have been anxiously
awaiting the receipt OF the glad tidings
which would usher into existence the new
born state, and yesterday the electric cur
rect flashed the welcome news as follows;
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON, ID. q. Nov. 7, 1880.
To Hon. Joseph X, Toole, Governor of
the State ~ Montana:
The president signed and issued the proc
lamation declaring Montana n state OF the
union at 1910 o'clock this morning.
JAMES q. BLAINE,
Secretary Of State.
This telegram was received at the Western
Union Office NJ IL o'clock. and eleven min
utesl later il was in the hands Of the Hon.
Joseph X. Toole, Manager Swan carrying
the document in person. The lNDErESDESr
soon spread the news before the public and
il went through the.city like whirlwind
Everybody was happy and people cor
daily greeted one another with handshak-
ing and other tokens of pleasure. II was
great day and never did old Sol shine more
brightly on Montana than yesterday.
seemingly joining with the people in the
great event that inaugurates n new era in
Montana's glorious career. The sturdy pi-
oneers who paved the way for this condi-
tiOn of things. were the most Joyous.
IL was grand occasion for those men
who for twenty-five years have toiled and
labored in the interest OF this common
wealth: men who drove the savage from his
haunt To make happy homes for thousands
men who brought order out of chaos and
made known 10 the world what grand em-
pire Montana is-the brightest gem in the
constellation of stars that is known
throughout the globe as the greatest nation
on earth.
Mr.. Toole announced that he would take
| the oath of Office nj = o'clock. Before the
appointed time the governors Office in the
| court house was crowded with people, all
| in the happiest mood. and when MIR. Ioole
| appeared at the main entrance of the build
| ing, escorted by friends, he was loudly
| che.red. As he entered the governors
Office the cheering was repeated. Mr.. Toole
bowed his acknowledgements and stepped
| up TO n desk where without any undue cere-
mony. he was duly inauguratod. II was
| just lass u. IN. when Governor Toole placed
! his hand on an open bible. raised his right
hand, while his young nephew, y. X. Stout,
notary public, read the oath, which Gov.
| Ioole repeated in a loud, clear ylce. Dur
| ING the simple but impressive ceremony
everyone in the room stood up with hat IN
hand. The oath WAS AZ follows;
81 do solemny swear that will support,
protect and defend the constitution Of the
| United States, and the constitution uf the
state Of Montana, and that will discharge
1 the duties of my office with fidelity: and
that ] have not paid or contributed, or
promised 20 pny or contribute. either di-
rectly OF indirectly, any money or other
valuable thing io procure my nomination or
| election except Tor necessary and proper ex-
penses expressly authorized by law; that
have not knowingly violated any election
law of this state, or procured II Ia be done
by Others in my behalf; that ] will not
knowingly receive directly or indirectly,
any money or other valuable thing for the
performance or non-pcrformnnce OF any
act or duty pertaining 10 my Office other
than the comp,nsation allowed 10y INV. So
help me Cod
just at the conclusion Of the taking of
the oath Mr. A. Lambeth, who WIS near
| Montana's first governor, reached out his
hand and rendered the first congratulations.
Ihece more cheers were proposed for the
governor and heartily given, while his ex-
cellency received the hearty handshakoH
/ and cordial greetings Of long line OF
! friends During this pleasant scene Prof.
Beggs Rnd Max Behrens entered the room
carrying handsomely frnmed. life size. oil
| painting OF the governor. which WAS the
gift Of friends Calls Of a speech from the
governor were made and the Hon. Sam
Word mounted n chair nt the sug-
gestion Of Others present and IN
behalf Of the people present extended CON
| grntulatiOns To Gov. Ioole and said his
| friends would he glad 90 hear from him.
Gov. Toole responded ~ follows:
Gentlemen; In assuming the duties OF
the governor Of the state Of Montana, am
profoundly impressed with the responsible
tiles Of the office. The circumstances at
tending snch an event are always interest
ing, but upon this occasion they are unusu-
ally important. We are called upon 10 set
IN operation for the first time the machinery
of tue new state. We will be confronted at
the onset with problems the solution Of
which will call for the exercise of sound
Judgment. and in the enforcement of which
there should be an unheKible purpose 10 do
right fapplause), The honor and tho integ-
rity Of the state shall be paramount 20 all
other considerations. Az citizen, often
bonored by her people. ne the chief exec
utive charged with the duty of seeing the
laws faithfully executed, | shall always have
thnt warm and devoted heart for her
best interests which the continued conf
Ht'N' ~ H'FlflN AiNN llnIllifus zap
plnnse.l With firm relinnce upon the
people with whom the power of government
Is lodged, and invoking their aid and Co
operation in all lawful endeayofs. now en-
ter upon the discharge Of the duties Of my
Office. CHEERS and great applnuse.) sin
cerely thank you for your kindly interest in
these ceremonies My FIRST official act will
be 10 accept the portrait which yon have
kindly presented through Mr.. Word. II
surprises and peases me. Continued np-
plause.)
After the cheering bad subsidized Cornelius
Hedges said 70 Gov, Toole, "God bless YOU. /"
Many had been one minute too late 10 be
eye witnesses 10 the great event. The inform
al reception was continued for half an hour,
when Benjamin Webster, Ex-Governor
Whites private secretary. surrendered the
keys and Office 10 Governor TOole.
About 3 o'clock in the afternoon Governor
Toole wired Secretary Blaine 90 the effect
that he had taken the oath of Office and en-
tered upon his duties as the governor Of the
state Of Montana.
Among those who witnessed the inaugu-
ration were noticed lgnatius Miller, Sam
Word, Henry Bratnober, Col. G. ID. Curtis,
Hugh McQuaid, G. w. Cannon, j. B. Walker,
y. ID. Edgerton, Cornelius Hedges Louis A.
Walker, James Ferguson, +. M. Chadbourne,