The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-14
A Well Attended Republican Meet
ing in the Opera House
Last Night.
Commodore Power Also Makes q
Few Remarks About the
Tariff
The Colonel Tells His Hearers Sometfin Ing
About Silver and Wool Legislation
and Other Matters.

county republican committee, VINO ha0 the
house handsomely decorated with bunting
and dags. A large number of ladies we're
present and lent grace to the surroundings.
The appearance of Colonel Sanders and MIR.
Power on the stage brought forth ringing
round of applause. after which John w.
Thompson, chairman of the county COM
mittee, was elected by reclamation chair
man of the meeting. A long list of vice
presidents was read, and as each name was
called the gentlemen took seats upon the
stage. Among them were A. M. Hotter,
Judge Sanders, William Sims, David A.
Cory. E. D. Weed, r. O. Hickman, Joseph
Davis. Moses Morris, NJ. N. Hotter, A. J.
Seligman, E. A. Kinney, Ben Benson, Cor
nelius Hedges, John Horsky, Paul McCor-
mick and Rev. s. Z. Snlder.
Colonel Sanders was introduced to his
audience by the chairman in few appro-
pirate remarks. As he arose from his chair
and stepped to the front of the stage he was
greeted with : storm of applause which
wound up with three cheers at the sugges-
ton of Judge Davis.
The colonel told the audience that it was
an hour of Joy for him to look into the faces
of his neighbors and friends. For twenty
seven years he had never been separated
from OlOutaua ~ AOuR d6 upon Cne occasion
that came to close few days ago. He
was particularly Rratified and would make
haste to acknowledge his obligations for
the cordially of the greeting he had re-
ceived. He had felt in the years that were
past that he had always done that thing
and said those words which Just and fair
minded men would approve. He had not
always taken his guide: from caution, but
always endeavored to be guided by immut-
able Truth. His colleague and himself had
been permitted to take the cares and inter-
ests Of the citizens of the mighty state and
represent them according to their desires.
1t was double qualification to come back
home and be greeted by this unparalleled
audience. He knew the solicitude that ac-
cOmpanied their choice and the uncertain
ties that clustered around the occasion.
But he was willing to stand here and affirm
that not for an instant had he and his COL
league forgotten the people whose conf
dence they carried with them and whose
d lty it was to represent. 1t was fitting and
appropriate that upon this occasion they
should give to the people an account of
their labors, and whose wishes they had
sought to fulfill, ana lay before them the
things which they had done and the efforts
which they had put forth. In spirit of
.frankness, without pride, without exagger-
alton they we're ready and willing to give
an account of the short stewardship which
had been confided to their hands.
: Any achievement that had been accom-
plished in these short eight months they
were willing to compare with any previous
period of history. he knew better than
words could describe how the great inter
ests of this government during the past
eight months had been sought to be stif1ed
by a political party of which we had right
to demand patriotism; that had sought to
stitle tho action of u majority of the people
of the United States. For more than ninety
days he and his colleague had sat in their
seats and listened to a continuous speech
which had for its aim the defeat of the pur.
poses and designs Of majority Of the people.
Notwithstanding which by processes potent
to all observation they we're compelled to
come back and say if you are interested in
the material prosperity and moral good of
this republic We have achieved something
that shall meet with your approval. He
knew that four political campaigns in two
The toll and anxiety Of the people but he
knew that il was the purpose Of the people
in the coming election to 80 fulfil the du-
ties OF good citizenship as that hereafter no
party in Montana would challenge the on
ward march of the republicans of the
United States.
The colonel wanted to say with reference
to divers and sundry matters collaterally
connected with the issues. first that he cor
daily approved of the action of those dem
ocrts Within Montana who finding no hope of
alienation in that party had withdrawn and
organized political party of their own 1t
was to the credit of their ineellikence that
they had finally detected that the demo
cratic party of Montana had ceased to have
any sympathy with and interest in the
lRboring people of the state. They under
stood very we'll that the corporations and
millionaires, disdaining the interests of the
common people, had undertaken to seize
commonwealth az their own property. The
laboring mon had taken step in the right
direction aud he begged leave to assure
them they were half way into the haven
of the laboring mans home. The republic
can party was organized to dignity labor.
in disdain of millionaires, aud IN the inter
ests of the plain, common people Of the
United States. In the hands of the people
it had found it's strong strength and when
they should withdraw from it their suf-
fra9es il would cease to be. He claimed
for it that it was never 30 worthy of their
confidence az now. It had never responded
80 quickly to the interests of toll as it does
to day. Whatever vituperation might be
cast. he claimed for its representatives in
congress from Montana and elsewhere
absolute fidelity to the laboring interests Of
this great state. He had no time now, but
hoped to have hereafter. to discuss at any
great length the issues which divided
political parties. So far as he would be
permitted to occupy the attention of his
audience he would call their attention to
one or two phases of .the controversies that
have been in existance for many years
and enquire what sheaves the democratic
party had garnered in times past and what
he and his colleague had done in a short
time under disadvantageous circumstances
for the behoof of the people of Montana.
The speaker was glad to see among the
republicans of Montana high purpose to
adhere to political principles. He was also
glad that We had made step in advance of
the position occupied while yet a territory;
and with the dignities of statehood imposed
upon us, with votes to be cast in congress
shaking the policies of the nation, that We
were loOeing our interest in the mere per-
sonal aspect of political campaigns, Ry
the responsibilities of statehood We were
lifted above such considerations, We
should get down to the propositions that
concern the people of the state. While
there may have not been anything dramatic
or startling in late achievements of the re-
publican party, it had always been guided
By a deep and profound solitude
for the welfare of the people
that the democratic party was moth
all ito creative force. A he had looked
the last week or two one would suppose
that the democratic party was opposed 4
the tariff. All the talk about the McKinley
bill ON the part of the democracy had q
complete and absolute answer BY tossins
upon the platform the Mills bill. The
latter measure was . party bill and could
not b compared to the Mckinley bill
There Wis mot line in the Mills bill which
did, not propose TO burden the commor
people infinitely more than does the bill
Just passed BY congress. He did not know