Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1889-11-24
Desperate Efforts are Made by Our
Democratic Governor to Complete
the Work Of Precinct 81.
Interesting Details of Partisan Work
Of Democrats at ihe Capital to
Control lie Lcgi lature.
HIGH HANDED PROCEEDINGS.


HELENA, Nov. 23.-There are few
new developments to-day in regard to
the legislative halls, which are still
locked aud guarded by democratic ap-
pcintee, of the county commissioners.
the work Of putting the new Yale
locks on all doors leading into the
halls continued till midnight last
night and was resumed this morning.
During the night Jack Smith and
other gusrds slept at their posts, mat.
tressCs and bedding being brought up
and deposited in the legislative halls
far their use. The only explanation
of rhis singular proceeding is that the
democr ,ts were afraid some wicked
republicans might steal into the rooms
during the night and take possession;
but the precaulion was useless, as the
republicans never thought of doing
any such Thing.
A Herald reporter Lusied himself for
two hours to-day trying to ascertain
the reason for putting new locks on
the doors Of the legislative halls, but
that Is something no fellow can find
out" aud all the satisfaction he got
was that 'it was the governors Or
ders." A carpenter, who was at work
putting Yale lock on the swinging
doors leading into the gallery Of the
house of representatives, said he did
not even know why new locks were
ordered; all the locks were in good
condition and provided with keys.
Nevertheless the commissioners or
dcred him to put new Yale locks on
every door leading TO the legislative
rooms, whether they were hitherto
provided with locks or not. In conse.
quence all The doors leading to the
floor of each house are now double
locked. Curious to know what this
Useless proceeding Is going to cost the
county the reporter asked how much
the work would amount to and WIS
told thai the labor would cost from SIS
to $50, and the new locks, OF which
there are twelve, cost $3.50 apiece, or
$50. The work was being done under
orders from County Commissioner
Knight. II was also stated that the
three special guards were paid S. each
per day. For two days work this
would amount TO $50 or $40. 50 that
Lewis and Clarke county will be out
about 800 for the operation. unless she
is reimbursed by the state. Another
item of useless expense, which the
state will be responsible for, are the
wages Of Mr.. b. f. Hooper, who was
employed by Secretary Of State Rot
witt at SO much per day for fitting up
the halls. AS he has not finished the
work and Is not allowed In to complete
1t, he Is hanging around the court
house doing nothing. yet drawing his
salary.
Asked is he wanted to "talk locks
Gov. Toole answered In the negative,
but said he thought 1t would be wise,
10 the present state Of affairs, TO have
the legislative halls secured, and 80
ordered Mr.. Knight to see that all the
doors were provided with proper fast
eniDgs. The governor intimsted that
he was about TO issue proclamation
calling upon the legislature to convene
tomorrow at the court house. From
other sources IL Is learned that, In this
proclamation, the governor may take
occasion to mention the members OF
the legislature by name and also call
upon the people Of the state 10 refrain
from any violent demo onstrations and
TO conduct themselves as peaceful
law-ablding citIzeds during the ap
preaching crisis.
County Commissioner Knight cor
daily received the Herald reporter
and said he was perfectly willing Il
answer any and all questions. ASKED
Why new locks had been put on th,
doors, he said he did not know, bu
that 1t bad been done under the gov
ernor's orders. Asked a. TO the pur
pose of such an extraordinary and un
usual proceeding, he said he did NO
. know; that he, as chairman Of tn
county board, was simply carryln
out the wishes Of Gov. Toole, wit
, whom the board had decided 10 maE
J q contract for the rent Of the leglsls
tive balls. This contract had not "
been made and he had not yet turne
over the keys TO the governor, b.
would do so; for which reason he he
TO refuse 10 deliver up the keys whe