The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-07


till 6 .. m.
We feel obliged to decline this invita-
ton for several reasons.
l.. No cause is set forth why the cap
ital should be removed from Helena.
.. No reason has ever been given
why it should be located at Anaconda.
B. Ananonda is remote FROM the con-
ter Of the state, both as to population
and geography.
4. 1t is inconvenient Of access. 1t is
not on q single through lipe Of travel,
east, west, north or south. Only a sin
gle spur railroad gives it connection
with the outer world.
s. Anaconda has but one hotel and
that one does not run the year round.
Accommodations in the town are wholly
inadequate for any considerable num-
Der of people.
g.. Anaconda has no buildings suited
" q uiOOpihR pAoCO III VIC lOk iplhUutc,
for the various state departments and
Offices. The state would Immediately
have to go to a large expense to provide
for these.
Z. Anaconda is not a permanent
place. 1t is supported by a copper mine,
which, like all other mines, will some
day be worked out, and that at no dis
tant period. 80. ..lt sF-fs- ~
s.. Anaconda is owned and absolutely
controlled by a rich ana powerful cor
poratlon which completely dominates in
all it's affairs, civil, political, business
and social. The municipal government,
the shops, the stores, the water and
light supplies, tho hotel, the transporta-
ton lines, the press, public opinion it
self, are under dictation from 1.-THE
Works." 1t is a one man town, through
and through, an undemocratic, unre-
publican monocracy.
8. Anaconda is not a Montana town.
Three-fourths of it, including the mine,
is owned in New York and San Fran
cisco by men who have no homes here
and no interest in our affairs. They
have already mortgaged their holdings
for 100000 to an English syndicate
and the town may at any time pass into
the possession of alien landlords. The
capital of Montana should be in a town
owned by M~ontanians.
10. Anaconda would be q dangerous
town in which to attempt legislation.
We have already seen this copper cor
poration, which owns it, strangle an
eight-hour law and attempt to dictate
executive policy. With the capitol
building as an annex to "The Works
no other interest but the mining inter.
est-and no mining interest but the cop
per interest-would have q voice in leg
islation. The whole atmosphere of pol
itics would take on a coppery hue. The
state capital should be a city in which
the stockgrower, the ranchman, the
lumberman, the business man, the work
ingman, would be at home and find fair
play.
IL. Anaconda is a town of freaks and
uncertainties; where labor thrlves to-
day and is in distress tomorrow; where
a whimsical management, blowing alter
nately hot and cold, keeps every body
dancing to most uncertain fiddling;
where shut-downs come without warn.
ings, and where wages are scaled dowr
as abruptly. Yes, a bad town for the
working man!
Other reasons, longer than the mora
code, might be assigned, but we trusi
those we have given will suffice.
We beg, therefore, to extend to Messrs
Haggin, of New York, Tevis, of Sar
Francisco, and DAILY, of Bitter Root
composing the Anaconda Copper com
pany, the assurance of our distinguished
consideration and to inform them, after
due reflection, that we cannot accept
their kind invitation-not this year, MOI
any other year.