The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-05
We feel obliged to decline this invita-

ZION lOr seFeral reasons.
l. No cause is set forth why the cap
ital should be removed from Helena.
2. No reason has ever been given
why it should be located at Anaconda.
3. Anaconda is remote from the cen
ter of the state, both as to population
and geography.
4. 1t is in%convenient Of access. 1t is
not on a single through line of travel,
east, west, north or south. Only a SIN
gle spur railroad gives it connection
with the outer world.
5. 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.
6. Anaconda has no buildings suited
for a meeting place for the legislature,
for the various state departments and
Offices. The state would Immediately
have to 60 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.
8. Anaconda is owned and absolutely
controlled by a rich and powerful cor
poration which completely dominates in
all its affairs, civil, political, business
and social. The municipal government,
the shops, the stores, the water and light
supplies, the hotel, the transportation
lines, the press, public opinion itself, are
under dictation from 1.-THE Works." 1t is
a one man town, through and through,
an undemocratic, unrepublican mono
cEacy.
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 Montanians.
10. Anaconda would be a dangerous
town in which to attempt legislation.
We have already seen this p p 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 interest
and no mining interest but the copper
interest-would have a voice in lepisla-
ton. The whole atmosphere of politics
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 thriyes to-
day and is in distress tomorrow; where
a whimsical management, blowing alter
nately hot and cold, keeps everybody
dancing to most uncertain fiddlinp:
where s~hut-downs come without warn
ing, and where wages are scaled down as
abruptly. Yes, a bad town for the
working man!
Other reasons, longer than the moral
code, might be assigned, but we trust
those we have given will suffice.
We beg, therefore, toextend to Messrs.
Haggin, of New York, Tevis, of San
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, nor
any other year.