The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-14
Decidedly the Most Successful
Affair Ever Held In the
State.
Twenty-Five Hundred Laborinx Men In
Line--Addresses by Thomas, Bolanl
and Bradshaw.

great deal to the people of this city, and
business generally was suspended and all
the mines closed in honor of the union.
The people turned out almost in a body,
the line of march was bordered by a dense
crowd of interested spectators throughout
almost the entire length. The exercises of
the day were opened with grand parade,
which proved to be the most impressive
spectacle of its kind in the history of the
state. The Miners union was out nearly
1,5OO strong and was supported
by delegations from nearly every labor or
ganization in the country, swelling the
numbers to $500. The officers of all these
orders were out in uniform and they with
the men in regalia, their elegant banners in
almost countless numbers, and bands in
brilliant uniforms. combined to make a
spectacle not soon to be forgotten. When
the procession had paraded the principal
streets of the city, it marched to the opera
house, where the formal exercises of the
day were held.
The house was soon filled with one of the
best audiences ever gathered in the city and
the proceedings were followed with the in
terest their excellence warranted. The
programme was opened with q short ad-
dress from President Joseph Thomas, of
the union, who gave brief review of the
history of the body and of the good work it
had accomplished. He was followed Presi-
dent P. J. Boland, of the Workingmen's
union, who has also been foremost in
bringing the Miners union to it's present
admirable condition. He gave an inter-
esting account of the organization of the
order in 1873, to meet an attempt on
the part of mine owners to
cut wages down from $3.50 to $3 per day,
and of its success in that undertaking. He
then followed the struggles of the order in
its attempts to live on and grow, showing
how the union had progressed from men,
bership Of % and debt Of $14,6O0 to it's
present membership of 1900 with valua-
bic building paid for and $25, 600 in the
treasury. This he attributed to liberal in
crease in benefits when there was not dol
lar in sight and to the employment of
financial secretary at liberal salary, who
would give his time to building up the
struggling organization. The speaker made
a strong plea to the working men
to inform themselves upon all live
topics of the day and thus be
to be, not only better members, but
better citizens. He urged the Importance of
education for children growing up, and
also the Importance of all laboring men
holding together for common good. This
most excellent speech closed with an ear
nest plea for all laboring men to unite in
the repeal of the "gag law which
he characterized as disgraceful to the
of the nineteenth century.
The oration of the day was delivered by
Col. @. G. Bradshaw, and it was an eloquent
effort, the central thought of which was the
importance of organization to accomplish
in any line of effort. This closed
the formal exercises of the most successful
celebration ever held in the state. Tonight
the Micers' union is giving two grand balls,
one in Union hall and one in Hibernian
hall at Centerville, both of which are being
enjoyed by as many gay dancers as these
large halls will accommodate.
An attempt was made last night to have
to-day's celebration postponed because of
the finding of the bodies of the three men
in the Anaconda mine. Considerable feel
ing was aroused over the discussion. but
was finally made by placing
the funeral at 2:30 this afternoon. Imme-
diately following the days general exer-
cises the union attended the funeral in
body, making of it one of the largest
funerals in the history of the state. It was
a distinguished tribute to the memory of
these gallant men, but no more than their
worth commanded.