The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-09-11
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
----
Mr.. Guthrie On school Mattsrs-Absut the
Police.

Police.
To The INDEPENDENT: / notice In yor
paper of yesterday morning that under VI
title Of 'Richard Lookey Protests" certai
things arc alleged m taking place at tn
meeting Of the school board on Tueads
last. Mr.. Jockey, il II stated, pointed HI
finger ut mo and remarked that II don
want to set myself into \ hole like som
people | know Of" This il misleading
MIR. Jockey did not point his finger at me
and when asked to whom he referred, di
not sec iit to say. Your statement also a
to the action of the board in the purchas
Of ground for the First ward school build
ing ~ also misleading in giving MI
Jockeys objections to the purchasing sal,
grounds. Yoa name as the frat that Their,
10 no evidence that the trustees have tn
right to purchase ground unless authorized
by che votes of tho DISTRICT" Now the fac
10, the trustees we're authorized by q vote o.
the people to purchase land and erect I
school building theron, and the RECORDS
will show hv reference to your flo OF MAJ
10. 1890. You will see that a notice of an
election was given ITO get permission to
sell the public school building and lot on
which it is located, in the First ward OF the
city of Helena, Mont" This notice provides
that the lot and building be sold and with
in "a different locality and a
building erected thereon. This election
WAS held, permission was granted by a vote
of she people to sell tho house and lot which
was afterwards done, Marcus Lissner being
the purchaser. Tho citizens of the first
building were consulted and without a dis
senting voice so far known to tho trustees
ut the time. Ground was purchased on
which to erect a school building. Tho
board has held and so decided by unani-
nous vote. except Mr.. Jockey (Mr. Lang
horne absentl that the law has been strictly
complied with in the purchase of this
ground. At the meeting of the trustees re-
ferred to in your article. Trustee Miller
voted yea on tho proposition to erect a
building in the first ward and gave as his
reason the following: "Ina in the notice
for y special election ror the sale of ground
and the purchase of other ground in Same
ward of date of May 10, 1850, the district
authorized the purchase of this ground as
explicitly as could we'll he done and much
more SO than had ever been lone by the
IN any previous purchase or when
Mr.. Jockey bought ground for the same
purpose" I AM find from the records
to the board for the purchase of the
the ground for the Sixth ward school house
when MIR. Jockey WAS chairman Of the
board. Mr.. Jockey was 8 member OF the
board in 1888 and the records show
tpage 81 that Il. Jockey reports on lots
for school buildings for east side
at prices from $1,000 to $l,400. The board
these prices too high it was
that the trustees contribute the
sum of $500 toward purchasing a suitable
piece of ground for a school house on the
east side, provided. the parties interested
having a school house there would con-
the balance necessary. The re-
lions, but some how the title to the ground
III which the east side sehool house now
stands passed from Mr.. Jockey to the
school district. Mr.. Jockey was chairman
If the board in 1886. On page 15l tho re-
show that the board purchased lots
6, 7 and 5, block A, Northern Pacific
addition for $3.50, and that a special fund
of Il. Jockey, agent. in payment
therefor. There are some other matters in
'hese old records not pertaining to the pur-
,hase of ground that might be of interest
% the public If they were published.
Helena, Sept. 10, 1891. WIN. II. GUTHRIE.
No Favoritis1n.
To TIE INDEPENDENT: I am a working
nan. l was born beneath the stars and
I have been IN Montana for many
FEARS. l have not accumulated a very large
amount of this worlds goods. yet I have
slways had money enough to supply my
wants, and wherever I have been. where
'oever I have wandered, I have been re-
'eived and treated justly, till l made my
'econd visit to this city. Here I was ar
ested (for the first time in my life) and
in a filthy Jail for four weary,
nights, and for four days was
creed to break stone.
ON of my companions on this occasion
Vas arrested and committed for drunken
less. when he was not drunk, when he had
ct even been drinking. l was committed
q a vagrant. though I was not a vagrant,
or I had five bright and clean dollars as
7ere ever won by honest toll in my pos
esion at the time. A little over two weeks
go returned to Helena after an absence
f more than three years On the morn
AZ of the day on which 1 arrived
was on Main street viewing with
tonder and surprise the many imposing
improvements which had been made in that {
horoughfare since I had traversed 1t last.
s | was thus engaged a hand was laid on
~ shoulder. l turned quickly, expecting
, see the smiling face of a friend (for I
ave many friends among the workingmen
+ Montanal waiting to greet me with u
heery "how do you do' and q warm grasp 8
t the hand. | was mistaken. 1t was not
friend but q stalwart policeman who
TODD before me. No smile adorned his !
On the contrary, it looked az fierce !
nd stern us that Of Cain just when he !
llled his brother. "What are you doing {
ere?" he stern!y inquired. Thinking the :
w gave the officer no right to stop and /.
me thus in the broad light of day, ]
somewhat hotly: SIT is none Of q
our business" His face grew more stern
nd dark if possible, and securing a firmer
rasp on my shoulder, Kissed out: Don't
SO fin. young fellow, or I'll run you in, i
'e." Yes, / saw plainly that L was in the {
over of one of those cowardly characters,
1859 petty tyrants who delight to Cypress r
,eir fellowmen when they know they can '
o SO without injury to themselves. and .
lat il ! wished to retain my liberty q mo- r
lent longer | must submit and answer his 8
uestions. So accordingly | answered his a
ueries as gracefully RS l could under the :
re circumstances, and l wound up by show F"
x him my calouaed hands. He seemed
} weigh my answers with all the dignity of
justice of the peace. When he had cross
CANNED me to his entire satisfaction, he v
into a %Ieverie. At length he was v
reused from his cogitations by a hatless u
who stood in a doorway close by and n
hose head was HI smooth and round as a -
illiard ball. The magic words that ef- y
,cted such a sudden change in the officers I
were somewhat rs follows: I
Will you take something?" The police !
pushed me roughly and said: "Git, and u
you value your liberty don't let me catch q
ou around here again." Then he turned "
n his heel and followed the generous mix
logist into his laboratory. A moment
fter l peeped over the screen I saw the
holding a glass filled to the brim {
18th whisky close to his eyes. He was ev- 9
lentlv admiring the rich brown color of Z
ne beverage before he tossed it out of sight :
orsver. That drink saved me from going !
, jail, but alas! for a short time only. 4 7