The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-01
LEGISLATIVE GOSSIP.

The news OF Mr.. Writer'S death was re-
oeived with profound sorrow in this city
yesterday. Daring the day hundreds OF
people stopped before the bulletins, road
the sad news and with a word Of sympathy
passed on. II was the only subject with
the few legislators who remained over in
the city. All who knew Mr.. Witter knew
an open and generous hearted man. To his
friends the most conspicuous Feature OF his
character WAC the utter absence OF sham in
any form. His bluff and hearty greeting to
friends reflected the manly ~frankness Of his
nature. Those who know the inside work
ings OF the political troubles last winter re-.
member Mr.. Writer'S unceasing efforts 80
bring about a compromise without sacri-
icing the honor Of either party. At one
time this was all but accomplished. BY mp
pointment a little party of Legislators from
both parties met in Gov. Toole's private
Office for the discussion OF compromise.
Mr.. Witter WAS most enthusiastic in favor
OF a settlement. He offered then and there
to resign the speakershipif some satisfactory
man could be selected and he was willing
to make every honorable concession to
bring the two houses together. The COM
WYNN AoNS DooSAAAS - ~
had it not been for certain o%bstinanoy in
another quarter. In all of his rulings as
presiding officer of the republican house he
was pre-smlnently fair and at all tinAos
commanded the respect of both colleagues
and opponents. On the stump Mr.. Witter
was fearless and perhaps at times a trnie
reckless in his statements, but he always
was honest in his convictions. Ina social
way he was most companionable and WAS
exceedingly popular with all. The unr
fortunate quarrel with a fellow member of
the legislature was a matter of the greatest
regret to him. Shortly before leaving
Helena forever he told me that this was the
first personal difficulty he had ever had in
all his long residence in Montana.
~
One of the noticeable features of the
present legislature is found in the activity
of the younger men. This is an encourag-
ing sign for the perpetuity of both parties
in Montana. The democrats seem to have
a trife the best of their opponents i'll this
respect, particularly in the senate. 1t
would be hard to find two brighter young
men thar Thornton and Mats, and they
have already proved their usefulness to that
body. During the struggle of tho demo-
cratic senators last winter Senator Thorn
ton showed the right sort of nerve. He
grasped the situation at every stage. but
was handicapped by his lack of parliament
tary knowledge. All of the senator's were
handicapped more or less in the same way
except old Bob Fisher. That sly old fog
could find a way out of every hole, and the
:.-1l:- u,n~ rSn1 ,rSAo ,1ouo1EVn Tho
atmosphere was exceedingly chilly
when Fisher was unable to tit
a precedent from the Nevada legislature to
one of the Richards rulings. With one
years. experience and a study of parliament
tary tactics, Senator Bill returned this year
fairly we'll equipped for his opponents. He
is an aggressive young man and when most
bellicose is most admired by his friends.
In debate he clothes his arguments with a
digniied courtesy that is gifted rather than
acquired. Senator Thornton is said to have
political ambitions. If this is true he is
quite likely to come to the front now for he
is popular as we'll as polite. g
~
Senator Mats is likewise a promising
young man, though he was almost wholly
uukuOWS III bu0 bbdbC uIltl uo luuA0 Aio
campaign for the Missoula county senator
ship last fall. He got way with it in a
manner that surpassed all of the politicians
in Missoula county. Mats is sometimes
called the bald eagle of the Rockies, though
no one knows why. He is too young to be
bald and he scars only in campaign
speeches. And a very popular speaker he
is. On the night of the democratic state
convention in this city he made a speech
that attracted wide and favorable attention.
He has a deep and melodious voice and an
easy flow of language. Moreover the cul
ture of a college training is apparent in his
use of words. He has had very little to say
in the senate thus far, for his talking has
been confined to brief matter of fact argu-
ments, the cleverest of which was made the
other day in the matter of renting
fines in the senate
49,
Senator Goddard has taken the lead on