The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-28
In HOTEL LOBBIES.

Col. G. A. B~roadwater returned hcme yes
terday over the Great Northern after a two
months visit in New York, Washington and
other eastern cities. If the opinions of the
many friends who surrounded him in The
Helena lobby last evening are worth any
thing, the colonel has returned in even bet
ter health than usual. After all had re-
ceived q friendly handshake the Lounger
enjoyed a pleasant chat with him about
Montana affairs in the east. The silver
question is always one of first importance
to Montana and concerning it Colonel
Broadwater said: 'To me the most sur
prising phase of the silver question from
what have lately seen is the great increase
III the number of free coinage advocates in
the east. The demand for free silver is 80
much stronger in the west than ever before
that it has worked its way in the east and
among some of the leading financial men
of New York City. Among the acquisi-
tions is Senator Calvin S. Brice. The silver
question never was so prominent before the
country as within the past sixty days. I do
not believe we will get free coinage with
the present administration. l do not be-
lieve a bill for that purpose can be carried
through the house and in the event that it
should, feel quite certain that President
Harrison would veto it.
Eyes, l heard much about Montana in the
east" continued the colonel, 81 always re-
ceiye many inquiries about the state and
lind the eastern people interested in our
prosperity. l think that the reputation of
the state abroad has been injured by our
long legislative deadlock which l am de-
lighted to hear is about to end. You see.
people in the east who do not know us are
inclined to regard M%ontanians as a shot
gun race, and this legislative trouble NAV
have increased that feeling. l hope our
legislators will get Immediately down to
work because nearly half of the session is
already gone.
The democratic party in the east is di-
vided between Cleveland and Hill. The
latter has been elected to the United States
States senate, but that doee not signify
that he cannot be nominated for president.
| passed some time in Washington with a
party of good fellows, and naturally heard
much about our Montana delegation. Yes. L
saw MIR. Carter. The fact cannot be dis
gulsed that he is n big man in the house
of representatives and | learn that he ranks
among the three or four ablest men of that
body"
Each evening. after the dinner hour, the
lobby of The Helena is filed with a cos
mopolltan throng of senators, representa-
tives, mining men, commercial travellers
and good fellows. The latest yarns and
gossip may usually be found aloat there.
Last evening | found Lieutenant-Governo
Richards, Senator Becker and a few others
in a little group. The acknowledgements
never tires ~"joshing'' Becker about his
flight over the road and beyond Hope"
on a fine winter morning last year. 1t is a
ride likely to become famous when the
political history of Montana is written,
and therefore all the facts in connection
with 1T are of interest. Becker says that
he never cares for another ride like that,
1t was not so swift when compared with
railway records under perfect conditions,
But for a Rocky Mountain railroad the
recora for the distance was
probably never equalled. The train
consisted of an engine and a caboose and
was In charge of an engineer familiar with
the route. The machine had been fred up
early in the evening and was only waiting
Tor a passenger. At 10 O'Clock Becker and
senator Babcock were seated in The Helena
lobby chatting about the events of the
previous day. Finally Becker arose and