The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-09-10
This City il Now in the Race and is
Destined to be u Sure
Winner.
Some Mention Of Other Aspirant, and
Their Claims for the RecOg-
milton Of Voters.
Substantial and M%eritOriOus Reasons
Why This Should he the Seat
of Government.

Great Falls is in the race for the CAPT
tai. and it is proper that her claims to
become the seat Of government of the
richest state in the union should be
properly known. The TRIBUNE yester-
day contained a brief mention of the re
sources of this section, and it will be the
aim of the management to enlarge upon
the description in future issues until the
voters of Montana shall have an intelll
gent knowledge of Great Falls and the
surrounding country.
Several other places in Montana aspire
to the honor of becoming the permanent
capital of the state, and it is the purpose
of this article to briefly mention their
claims.
First on the list is the temporary CAPT
tai, to which the seat of government was
removed from Virginia City some years
ago. Helena is not the geographical
center, mol the center of population. Its
location is not n which presents the
attractions of Great Falls. Helena
wants the capital more for the reason
that it has been once declared the choice
of the people than for any good reasons
it can now advance.
Deer Lodge has been in the field for
some months. The pretty location of
the little village is conceded by all. But
Deer Lodge county has two state insti-
%tutions at present. and her claim for the
capital must come from other arguments
than beauty of location.
Butte is in the field for the capital
principally for the reason that it is OPP
posed to Helena. The Importance of
Butte as a mining centre is universally
conceded. The wonderful productive
ness of the mineral-bearing viens of the
Summit Valley mining district have
made Butte the most famous producer
OF silver, copper and lead ores on the
American continent. but as an eligible
site for the capital of this great state. its
basis OF argument is d poor one. If It
demands the capital simply because of
its prominence as a mineral producer.
any other section is entitled to like
recognition, and within IA decade other
regions OF this great mining country.
which though it has produced millions,
is yet in the infancy Of comparative de
~yelopment. may become even greater ore
producers then the now world famous
Butte. In such d case the people who
now advocate Buttc's claims would. in
order to be consistent, unite in giving
the successor to Butte their vote for II
for the capital.
Anaconda is also in the field, but it is
questionable whether serious thought
llas ever been given the project of hav-
ing the capital there. Certainly il can
not be urged that i is either convenient
ly or centrally located. Why it entered
the race is something that yet remains
to be developed.
Boulder is a thriving little hamlet OF
Jefferson county whose citizens take
Just pride IN urging its claims for the
capital. But as there are numerous
other state institutions to be located, it
appear probable that Boulder is in the
capital race merely for the purpose of
having some state institution located
there, and does moi hope even TO get It
place in the race in November.
Bozeman has long been advocated as Il
suitable place for the capital, II j.
prettily located, and the distributing
point for d fertile agricultural section.
Still ROzeman is not geographically sit
uated to afford "A desirable place for the
state building when il is erected.
Great Falls has substantial and mcr
! itorious claims to put forth. Ii j.
. is geographically near the centre Of pop
u%Iation. its railroad connections. now
completed and those soon to he mace.
bring 1t IN close connection Will
every section of this great en-
pire. The argument that a ma
lority of the population Of Montana Is
now west of the man range is one that
does not detract from its claims, for in
a few years from 10Y the fertile valleys
on all sides will be densely populated.
and tine development Of the mineral re
sources of northern Montana will make
Great Falls the most convenient and az.
cessible city in the state to the mass of
the people. The greatest good to the
greatest number will result in IL ballot
on election day for this city for the capl,
tai. OF its many advantages little has
been told. but before the time comes to
determine the question as to where
the. permanent seat of government in
Montana shall be located the desirabillty
of Great Falls will he fully set forth.