The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-09-26

Hon. u. X. Ioole's Address.
Chairman Cullen introduced Hon. Joseph
K. Toole and said: am happy to intro
duce TO you the gentleman to whom will
be confided the power OF matchless and
peerless Montana as her chief executive
for the first period the Hon. Joseph K.
Toole. The applause tasted for several
minutes before Mr.. Toole could begin his
remarks. He said:
Ladies' and gentlemen: There is at least
one good thing coming out of your ap
plsuse. IL comes out of my time, as NC
essarily have but a short time TO address
you. Although come home this evening
much worn from fatiguiug campaign my
energies would be far spent, indeed, II they
did not respond to the very interesting. gen
erous and cordial welcome of the greeting
accorded 70 myself and Major Msginnis. 7
never appear before q Helena audience but
that feel have never yet expressed my
appreciation OF them for all they have done
90 promote and advance my Interests IN the
years it has been my good fortune to
reside here. l came to Montana
more than twenty years ago and
took my first steps in the battle OF life in
this town, and whatever l have achieved
In the past and whatever 1 hope TO do in
the future has been because l have been
sustained and supported by these people.
(Applause) And 1 am indebted for no
higher honor than that which surrounds
years who have assured me of continued
respect and confidence by selecting me as
their candidate for the chief executive
office OF the new state. (Applause.) 1t is
my duty and privilege and good fortune as
party TO say few things which
ought, In my judgmeat. 20 be con
trolling In influencing y1W judg-
ment OF the two parties Who are
inviting the suffrages OF the people. We
have M0nfanA luVn
democratic party and the republican party,
and when the candidates of those parties
are asking the suffrages of the people il is
appropriate here and now TO deal with the
politics of Montana while the territory is
clothed in the swaddling clothes OF terri
torial existence and take upon herself the
full dress OF majestic statehood. Our ter
rItory was organized in 1854. and from that
date until this no burdens have been i'm
posed by the democratic party on the
masses affecting the freedom Of the citi-
Zens; IL has gwen them the smallest rate
or taxation and officers who secured
the enforcement of the laws at the least
possible expense. These have been
the distinguishing features of Democratic
legislation. We have given to the counties
or Montana court houses which will COM
pare favorably with those of any county
In any of the states of the union, and kent
their expenses down to a reasonable
amount until 1883 when the republicans
came into power-and it surprised that
party more than IL did anybody else laugh
teri at the political change And a repub-
lican lS g1slatlve assembly met here in 1889
for the first time since 1884. Let us briefly
compare the records Of the two parties
as affecting the people of this
territory and see where the
people look for the best en-
defiance of An act of the congress of the
United States declaring no legislature in
any OF the territories should pass any law
increasing or decreasing the debt OF any Of
the counties-in defiance OF that law thev
proceeded to increase, by so pr cent the
fees OF all these officers, rs per cent. of
whom were republicans. And these Off
GERS were In political accord with the sen
timent And this increase OF taxation the
TAX payersoI Montsns are helping to pay.
And then proceeding 70 the enactment OF
laws just at time when We were claiming
the right Of admission into The
Union. they proceeded 70 pass
registration Law designed to puri-
the democracy Of Montana has been in far
yor Of every measure which was calculated
TO bring about this result. This registra-
ton law disfranchises he people along the
frontier and remote settlements of the
country. Ii Is well enough in cities and
along the lines of railroads. In the country
voters were compelled In some instances 70
travel twenty, forty and hundred miles
In order that thev might put their names on
the register. and this legislative assembly
IL responsible for II. Now. fellow cfflzens
after this brief reference to the history OF
the two parties you can reasonably expect
thot the democracy will carry out the in
ferests of the people in the future as Ia the
past (Applause-) And aside from that as
suggested by my eloquent friend who |
preceded me, il there is anything of graft
tude in the people, il they beIievein render |
ing to that party which comes % their res |
cue and releases them from their condition |
os territorial existence. they will come to |
the aid Of the democratic party Of this ter |
ritory. IAPplause.l And now having |
reached this point In this discussion. let Us |
see where IL Is and 10 whom the credit be- |
longs for the admission OF the territory in |
to the Union We hear republican |
speakers going about denying that the |
democracy are entitled 20 the credit for the |
admission Of Montana, and claiming that /
10 was done By the republicans OF the house |
OF representatives and Of the senate, and IL 1
seems IL was due to two distinguished |
gentlemen who took Montana into the /
Union--Ar; Reed and Mr. Sherman
Laughter.
Now, As your representative in congress
who Is entitled 70 give an account OF his |
Stewardship, and In order that You may |
know the full history OF this transaction, |
as IL is part OF history that every man, |
won an and child ought 70 know, / Will |
brisly recite IT, In 1884 the people Of this |
territory. who were IN willing longer 70 wat |
for action on the part Of congress. Assem-
bled themselves IN constitutional CONVEX
ton In obedience only 10 . legislative act
Of this territory and formulated the fnnds-
was submitted for their approysI or rs,se-
ton and Q vote taken and by an almost
unanimous vote 10 was approved. I gave q
copy Of ir 70 the president OF tie
United States and introduced 9
bill into the house OF Representa-
1xufo the I7uiou- At The name time Sansrr.r