The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-09-06
MISSOULA DEMOCRATS.
An Enthusiastic Meeting Addressed by
Major 1IaginRI= and Mr.. Bfckford.

An Enth 1Ieetfng Addressed by
Major MaginRIs and Mr.. Bickford.
MIssoULA, Sept. S-[Special TO the In
dependent The frst democratic gun OF
this, the most memOrS 'le campaign, was
hred At Missouls this evening. Yesterday
u was announced that Major Martin Ma
ginnis, that chieftsin who for more than
half a score Of years had represented the
people OF Montana in congress, was 20
speak 70 the people OF this community this
evening upon the issues OF the day. The
optra house was secured for the occasion,
and before the speaker had entered the hall
not even standing room could be obtained.
Anvils were fred and bOnhres were built
al the intersection Of the principal streets,
and nnquestiOnably the largest crowd ever
gathered on the streets OF Missoula
were present on this occasion. The
Twenty-hfth Infantry band furnished
the music for the occasion. The
hall was filled with the elite OF the ciey and
many gentlemen were noticed 90 give up
their seats TO ladies. Occupying prominent
seats among the audience could be seen
Judge Hiram Knowles and H. Dewitt. of
Butte, and Col. W. T. Sanders, OF Helena
Major Maginnie entered the hall amid 3
round of applause and was introduced to
the audience by Hon. w. NJ. BickfOrd. In
substance Sir. MagInnis said.
seventeen years ago. through internal
OlssenslOn, the democratic party In Mon
lana was Oyerthrown. Sixteen years ago
IN Deer Lodge county, q citizen OF Mis-
sOuiE county, Capt Higgins, nominated me
Tor delegate u congress For SIX success
siye years i was called upon 10 lead
your hosts and carry your banner 10 vic
tory. Again / Am called upon 10 be your
ze- -. N.rnN~ Is.7a
OF q forlOTn hope, but the leader OF a
united party The first bill / was able 10
get through congress was for
the relief Of the citizens ot the Bitter Root
valley, and one II not quite the last act Of
my official life At Washington, wa in be-
half of your county In securing you q mil
tary post located At this point"
The speaker then told why be was q
democrat, and said the democratic party
was the pioneer OF Montana "When 1
came 70 No taDa found Thomas Meagher,
that patriot " hOm l had accompanied with
HancocE and others on many a bloody
battle field, occupying the governors chair,
and found men here who in the ear ly part
Of the civil war were strong abOliitOnists,
but who left early In the tight 70 come to
Montana / say ] found such men here
deno0neinR Mr.. Mesgher as a scOundrel, q
rascal, and traitor"
He arTaigned the republican party for
opposing the admission of the territories,
and told how the party, not In Washington
but ID Montana, opposed the admission OF
the territories. AT Inls luncture the speak
er said. 81 want TO make some exceptions
Col. Sanders and Col. Hedges, Of Helena,
each favored the admission OF Montana
under the Springer bill, OF any other bill,
but the party 81 large opposed IT," He then
discussed briefly the action of the republic
an party in the Anaconda convention. He
said that though the voice OF the head of
the ticket WAS that OF Thomas T.. Power
the hand that moved the string was the
long, bony fingers of Col. Sanders. He
then discussed st length the record Of the
republican party In Montana.
Hon. w. NJ. BicklOrd, candidate for as
sOciste justice, and Hon. w. J. stephens,
candidate for district judge, also appeared
and spoke briefly upon the subjects Of the
day. The meeting w6s a very enthusiast
tic one. Major Maginnis is very popular
IN MlssOulA county aud made votes for
himself aud the ticket here tonight