The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-08
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWSPAPERS.

Tho News and Republican OF Denver
Said to BE for Sale.
A special dispatch to the Chicago Inter-
Ocean from Denver says: Last evening tho
owner of the Denver Republican sent this
communication to your correspondent:
The democrats of Colorado are in state
of CONSERVATION over the reported sale OF
the Rocky Mountain News, the organ of
their party in the west, to q repub-
lican syndicate for the sum of $780,
600. Such sale, which is said
TO have been practically closed,
would leave the democratic party without'a
mouthpiece. Leaders of the party. it
would seem, do not propose to be thus
Tilted, as they are now negotiating with
the owners Of the Denver Republican for
the purchase of an extra franchise of the
Western Associated Press which that com
pany owns. The price offered is said to be
handsome one. and it looks as
if the deal would 60 through. Expe.
rienced newspaper men with plenty OF
money are back Of the enterprise. Strange
as it may seem. within the past month the
owners Of Denver's two leading morning
papers, the Rocky Mountain News and
Denver Republican, have been anxious to
sell thei. plants: The reasons offered are
most astonishing: One Of the most
N. P. Hill, ex- United States senator, and
owner Of the Denver Republican.
which paper for months past has exposed
the corrupt doings Of certain members OF
the late general assembly. Through snia
expose the paper has gained the enmIty OF
certain Colorado politicians. Mayor L 1on.
doner. of Denver, recently announced tna.
he had been instructed by the editor OF ti't
Denver Republican to state that in the fu
ture the paper would support it's sworn
enemy, Henry NJ. Teller, for reelection
to the United States senate. just
about this time Colonel John Atkins
he coald sell the Rocky Eountain News be
would buy an interest in the Chicago Times,
on which paper he at one time worked as a
compositor. Il was known the Chicago
Times people had given the colonel an OPP
ton, and, rather than miss what he con-
sidered an opportunity Of Lifetime, he de-
The gang. as senator Hills opponents are
known, mistrusted the last move of the Re-
publican in supporting Teller, and. when
Colonel William H. Griffith, Of the Dem
yer Times, the gangs organ, heard OF
Colonel Arkins' intentions he consulted
left for New York, where he had consult
alton with United States Senator Edward
o. Wolcott, and negotiations were at once
entered into with Colonel Atkins for the
purchase Of the News After several meet
ings in Chicago last week, Mr.. Griffith
paid $25,Oo0 for an option on the
paper until August 10. The price
asked by Colonel Atkins is $35O,OO0.
Bonds are now being fioated in the market,
be sold the deal will 60 through, otherwise
not. About six weeks ago Hill notified
certain parties in Denver and New York
that BY the payment Of $4,000 an option
of thirty days could be obtained on the
Republican, the price asked being $780,
COO. It has also come to the knowledge
of your correspondent that fol-
several months past Senator Hill haf
endeavored to sell all his Colorado interests
and in the event of his being successful viii!
move with his family to Europe to spend
the remainder of his days."
This statement can be verified. It is said
the Republican does not own the franchise
for which negotiations are said to be pend:
ing. It is claimed that the franchise died
when the Tribune was consolidated with
the Republican.