The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1890-09-16
Special TO the Standard.

Special 10 the Standard.
HELENA, Sept. 15.-The Democratic
state convention got at its work without a
hitch. Word went out that the proceed
ings would begin promptly atnoon. That
hour had hardly been struck when Marcus
DAILY, chairman of the state central com
mittee raped to order the crowd that
filled the opera house. Mr.. DAILY gave
spirit, zest and enthusiasm to the conven-
ton in n speech which was brief and
pithy. When the applause that greeted
his appearance had subsidized Mr.. DAILY
said:
ut is not necessary for me TO make a
speech at this time. Ii is known that by
outrageous wrong and barefaced fraud
the Democratic party in Montana was
robbed Of the fruits of victory. The
people will avenge this wrong, and il this
convention nominates a worthy man of
whom we can justly feel proud
he will be elected just as sure as am
standing here. Gentlemen, please NOM
mate delegate for the office of tempor-
AIRY chairman"
This brief speech started the spirit of
enthusiasm, which never tagged for a
moment until at a few minutes before
o'clock this afternoon the convention had
shouted itself boarse over the nominal
ton Of Hon. w. w. Dixon for member of
congress.
From first to last, since the delegates 10
the convention began to gather in Helena,
il was clear that the popular will had
picked out its man. On the streets, in
the lobbies at the opera house, every
where are heard Mr.. Dixon's name men,
toned with terms so cordial that there
was no doubt about the peoples sincerity,
yet everybody wondered whether he could
possibly be persuaded TO say the word.
There never was any doubt about
Judge Dixon's own feeling in the
matter. Good friends of his, as good men
as there are in Montana, had been trying
for weeks TO get his consent. To these
friends the answer bad uniformity been
the same and those who are closest to the
judge in point of personal friendship
knew that his refusal was sincere, tina,
his reasons were cogent and that his
wishes ought to be respected.
Judge Dixon could say nay TO these
friends. He came over from Butte yester.
day in order to make his reasons plain Ia
other friends and acquaintances, but he
could not resist the impulse that came TO.
day; few men Of patriotic and unselflst
purpose could resist it. In all the history
of conventions il would be hard to recall
a single occasion i'm which the sentiment
and the judgment of delegates pointed
so unerringly and so distinctly tc
one individual as the man fol
the honor. Judge Dixon could see IL al
plain, though he resisted good while
but he had to yield in the end, and wher
at length he did this every man i'm the con
vention realized that the candidate of the
hour had played an honest, a patriotic
and unselflsh part. Ii came about in thi,
way: The convention met and made il
temporary organization under its chair
man, Il. T.. Collins. Committees were ap
pointed aud routine business was dis
posed of, not a single discordant Wort
marring the proceedings. II was resolved
| to adjourn until 3 o'clock, but il was alst
concluded that the entire membership
meet i'm caucus at 2 o'clock, in order :,
have perfectly consultation regarding q
candidate. Nobody was pressing favor
ties, everybody was anxious to do the righ
thing, and the friends of Judge Dixor
were especially anxious to relieve the dis
appointment which seemed about to fol
low his certain refusal.
The attendance at the o'clock confer
ence was large. The conclusion was tha
each county should present its views In ar
informal way, the idea being that som,
good man would surely turn up. Will
much earnestness, almost with fervor, In
fact, Judge Dixon's name was presented
by Beaverhead and Cascade. Then Judg,
Dixon took the floor. The convention
would not yield il. The continuance o.
the call by counties was demanded. Tn,
| favorite of the convention waited for ordeI
and an opportunity to speak. 1t seemed
as il he waited five full minutes, but h,
waited in vain. The conference com
PEELED him TO yield and the call by counties
was resumed.
Down the list Of counties Cascade, Gus
ter, Deer Lodge and so through Montana
l6 counties the roll call went
Political talk was never NOR
earnest or more honest.
seemed as IL the stars had fixed the po
litical fate of Mr.. Dixon, yet when il wa
all over Judge Dixon declined the homo
OF the nomination in a talk which wa
manifestedly as sincere and as straight
forward as ever fell from a mans lips.
For moment, you could have heard
pin drop in the opera house, where tn
caucus was assembled. The silence wa
oppressive. Il was clear that Judge Dix
! on's words commanded fullest respect