The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-24
THE SONS OF AMERICA.
They Spend in Evening in Song,
Speech Making and I
Banquet
The Roman Church and Foreign
Immigration the Burden OF
the Talk.
Tho Next State Encampment Will be Held
ut M%issOula- Delegates
Appointed.

Appointed.
The society Of the Patriotic Sons Of Amer.
ica observed Wa%shington's birthday ysster-
day with . state convention, speeches in tho
evening and 4 collation. prepared by the
ladies.
The afYsjf was held in A. U. u. W.. hall,
and the national coiors were conspicuous In
the banquet hall.
Fully one hundred members Of the order
were present. The officers Of the state Or
Ganization and nearly all Of whom were
present are: George \. Marsh, Of Butte,
president; w. M. Ballard, r. r.; +. D.
Toms, vice president; J.. Kemp, NJ. Of ~; II.
q. Davis. secretary; II. u. Tseple, inspector;
N. r. Evans, conductor; w. A. Boswell,
state guard; Henry Cslkins, treasurer; l..
T.. Holmes and W. Il. Eastman, trustees;
Rev. A. G. Mcmillan, chaplain.
Delegates-From Butte, W. X. Young and
J. y. -Akers; Helena. A. y. Edgar. q. G.
Dalles, Il. q. Russell and 4. II. Green;
Granite, J.. W.. Ford and F. J. Kramer;
Deer Ledge, 7. d. Dsvey and =. L. ncKin-
s Say;. M n + i:d.i 1. 4 u. d n Billiard, !; n M;Is.
City, II. j. Thompson, II. ii. Moran; Bozs-
man, Geo. W. Highsmith and Frank w.
Vreeland; MarysviIle, Alex. Burns n j.
Jones.
There was little business before the con
vsntion and it WAS promptly disposed Of.
The local camp spread itself to entertain
sbe visitors and succeeded in doing 50 with
the assistance Of some OF the wives an d
daughters of the members.
BOzeman and Missoula were the only as
pirants for the place Of holding the next
state convention which will fall on Fsbrna =
ry ~ Of next year. Missoula was chosen.
OF Anaconda, we're eIecsed delegates TO the
national convention TO be held during Au-
gust in Philadelphia.
Tho question Of slecting officers will be
considered so-day. This will meet with op-
position, as the present officers were
elected in Anaconda only q few months
ago.,
During the evening the evening the local
camp initiated about fifteen members in the
blue degree.
A pleasant feature OF the evening was the
presentation by Mrs. spencer Of a beautiful
satin banner with . life-size portrait of
George Washington painted in the center.
Helena friendly to the camp.
Mre. Spencer next read an address that
seemed to be highly appreciated from the
applause it was accorded. Her remarks
we're bitterly denunciatory OF Catholicism
and foreign immigration. Her text was that
nothing good conld come from either. A re-
porter obtained the document for publica-
ton, but X. u. Teeple secured possession Of
II and would not give it up. though the re-
porter said he had obtained 1t from Mrs.
Spencer. well. You ant have it and it
won't be published" was Mr.. Teeple's
reply %Sy: w,o,. ,o. :, r.. .,...,..
that on were criticisms upon foreigners,
UNCONVENTIONAL chools and churches. with
particular reference to the KOmap Catho-
lies. Mr.. X. g. Davies thought that no for
eigner should hold q public Office and for
eign immigration, he thought, was u men
ace to the country and should bo stopped.
he had recently read q controversy in a
New York paper On the subject Of religion
and ignorance which pleased him very
much. because it stated that the Catholics
were in the majority in this respect. He
decried the growth of Romanism az a COM
ing great evil. but found satisfaction in
knowing that very few OF them are elected
to congress. He said in conclusion that he
thought he was talking too much, and as he
sat down he was applaudcd to the echo. He
thanked the ladies for the banner.
A very touching scene followed, when J.
r. ketchum, in behalf of the local camp,
presented o. c. Dalles with a gold badge
and diamond setting. Mr.. Ketchum's
speech showed careful preparation. 1t was
very neat and affectiOnate and only a heart
Of stone would have failed to show emo
ton. Mr.. Dalles attempted to respond, but
ne was so overwhelmed with gratitude that
words failed him, and quickly realizing his
predicament he said, II thank you" What
followed was smothered in applause.
MI. Ketchum was next called upon to
sing The Sword of Bunker HILL" While
the musicians were tuning up Mr.. Teeple
asked that MIR. X. H. Howey be given the
AoDs Thar r-1~n $40. --1 III
speaker started in by telling that this was
totally unexpected and that he did not
come prepared to make a speech. With his
usual adroitness he talked on both sides of
his subject so that he made it appear that
he was neutral. He admitted that there
were many good Catholics in the land and
in the roll of those who fought to saye this
country the names Of many of them would
be found. just as we'll. how
ever. there were patriots in other denomi.
nations. 1n the famous controversy with
Gladstone and Cardinal Manning he
thought that Gladstone had the best Of it.
The cardinal be said did not argue
stones arguments were to the point. But
we must protect our public Institutions
said Mr.. Howey. land especially our public
schools" The speaker then leaned over
again and admitted that Catholics
were not ths only people, he was sorry to
bhys II WCIc SiucbsoIlHK VI lnt6IItIc
with the schools. He cited the recent
election contest in Wisconsin for an exam
pie. Mr.. Howey carefully avoided the sub
ject of foreigners and in his concluding rs-
marks he said he was for the preservation
OF our public institutions first, last and ali
the time.
MIR. Geo. II. Piats spoke on the same sub
ject. He alluded to the fact that Senator
Kyle. of Dakota. WAS n patriotic son. He
read with great pleasure an address made
by the reverend gentleman last Fourth of
July, which brought him into prominence.
He said two things which occurred to the
speaker as being eminently correct. One
was that this county can harbor Catholicity
but not Romanism.
After some singing the party repaired to
tho banquet hall where they were served
with dainty edibles by fair hands and fall.
justice was done to the elegant spread.
The affair broke DIP about half after mid
night. Messrs. Mcmillan. Kinney and Mrs.
Richards added TO the enjoyment Of the
evening with vocal selections. The affair
WAS voted . grand success and everyone
present seemed to thoroughly enjoy the oc-
casion.