The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-23
GET DOWN TO BUSINESS.

When the Board Of Trade sent a COM
use every proper means to induce the
National Education association to meet
in Helena in 1892, it looked for that
committee to accomplish it's mission. So
far as lies in their power Messrs. Brown,
Young, Miller and Lyman have uc-
ceeded, and now it rests solely upon the
people Of the city whether the conyen-
ton meets in Helena or Saratoga. Be-
fore the determination to bid for the
convention was made, the facilities for
entertaining 5000 or 5000 people were
thoroughly canvassed. So impressed
with the city's ability in that line were
the prominent business men, that but
little difficulty was had in raising a sufti-
Gent sum to send the committee to
Toronto. But it is not alone necessary
that we are satisfied we can take care
of the teachers. We must convince the
executive committee Of the association
of this. This committee will be in
Helena some time during August, and
the time is not very long in which to do
the work. How absolutely essential is
this matter the history of other years
will show. In 1890 Saratoga was selected
as the first choice, and Toronto the
second for the convention in 1891. The
committee visited the first named place,
but owing to the lack of accommodate
tions and the rates made by the rail
roads, it was rejected and Toronto, the
second choice, chosen. Helena's selec-
ton is something to be proud of, from
record that any seeker for the conven-
ton has captured it on an initial at
tempt. But Saratoga, which has been
after the meeting for three years, has
not given. up the fight. Her people
have made ample arrangements for en-
tertainment, and the railroads to be
benefited will make very favorable rates.
In this latter respect, however, Helena
is all right, because General Passenger
Agent Fee, of the Northern Pacific, has
promised to make not only a phenome-
nally low through rate, but fares for
side trips and to the National park will
be equally advantageous. The Great
Northern and Union Pacific have also
agreed to do the same.
Frank A. Fitzpatrick, superintendent
of the Kansas City schools, one of the
wheel horses of the teachers associa-
ton, was among the best friends Helena
had at Toronto. He did excellent work,
and still takes a great interest in the
final outcome. In Il letter received yes
terday by Barnard Brown, he urges Mr..
Brown to get the local organization to
work at once, canvass the town, and be
able to show the executive committee
that we car take care of 800 people at 81
a day, and of 1000 at 81. Also, of the
facilities for holding meetings. He says
hat Saratoga is not by any means out
of the race, and that no time must be
lost in getting figures down on paper to
prove the correctness of our claims.
Another thing he urges is that we take
measures to see that a full representa-
ton OF the executive committee comes
to Helena.
Now there is no question of Helena's
ability to do all she instructed her com
mittee to promise for her. All that is
necessary is an immediate, hearty and
generous response to the situation. The
convention will cost some money and
and cause some Inconvenience, prob
ably, but it will be worth thousands of
dollars to the city and state. Garry the
teachers meeting through successfully
and Helena will become the great con-
~vention city of the Rocky Mountains.
We can do it. Then let us go about it
at once, in a business-like, systematic
manner, and prove once again, as we
have hundreds of times before, that
Helena gets everything she tries for.
Start in gentlemen, select your chief,
and let us settle this matter.