The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-10-07
MORE ABOUT
THE PRINCE.
All Harping on That Fort
Helena YeXed and Uncertain, but APP.
parently Helpless.
Speculation Rife as to the Final Out.
come Of the Project.

ing TRIBUNE arrived in Helena was
circulated on the streets, it caused a de-
cided ripple Of excitement. Every man
was inquiring of his neighbor if he knew
how much truth there was in the story
about prince Russell and Mr.. Elkins,
and many were asking whether it was
likely that any further chapters of the
episode would appear. The TRIBuNE's
correspondent was closely questioned by
several persons and sought for lnforma-
ton in other quarters, besides making
further inquiries of his informant of yes
terday. While some volunteered to tell
all they knew, others pooh-poohed the
whole story, and a few stalwart republi-
cans were decidedly indignant, regarding
it as a great piece of impertinence IN the
part of the TRIBUNE to print such re.
ports about the prince" whether they
were true or not. The story naturally
gave rise to a discussion of the princes
Montana career, and of his hold upon the
federal officeholders, many of whom have
been appointed both in this state and
elsewhere through his influence. 1t
seems. indeed, to have been a regular
custom of the president to appoint to
federal offices and to show administra-
ton favors to all who extend reciprocal
favors to the prince. At this particular
kind of reciprocity the president has
proven a great success. The gentleman
who gave the information about the deal
between the prince and Mr.. Elkins said
today:
The needy condition Of prince Rus
sell has long been known here, and only
a select few had any idea how it was pos
sible for him to carry on his daily news
paper. which is conducted on a most ex-
travagant plan at a loss of from 5000 to
81 600 a month. 1t was clear that the
money came from somewhere, and that
at each period when a settlement began
10 stare the prince in the face, the crisis
was STAYED off by a remittance from New
York at the crucial moment. When the
Minneapolis convention was in session.
and there was a prospect of Mr.. Blaine
being nominated, there was serious talk
here which indicated for a certainty that
If Mr.. Harrison was not renominated the
prince" would be called upon for a set
t!ement.
The big stationary and notion store
run here by the prince" in the name IF
the Journal Publishing company wac
then and, | believe, is still hopelessly in
debt. but his creditors ceased their pres
sing clamor as soon as the presidents
denomination was assured. He got out
from Philadelphia. and from Mr.. Wana-
makers bargain counter a man to take
charge of the store, and it is understood
mere that the postmaster general has
given the prince" considerable backing
to keep this institution afioat. The
princes debts on the paper and the store
are estimated at from $4,000 to 100000.
with the probability that they are much
more than the highest of these figures.
He holds the majority Of the stock in
both OF the concerns and would have
been obliged to go into bankruptcy in
1883. if his father had not beome presi-
'jent Of the United States. 1t is be-
lieved that the appointment OF Mr.. FL
kiEs was not the only case IN which the
prince" reaped financial benefit from
high positions granted by his father.
aEd it is certain for favors received from
the executive he has been able to keep
his varied interests here from collapse.
Nearly everybody in Montana had a
DtlEoJdi lVSult VI Wi. blOdu dltI ulu
felt sure that SO long as he lived every
thing in his power would be lone to
promote the interests of Helena. He
would employ every agency within his
power to promote the city's interests for
its own sake, while indirectly his own
personal interests would thereby be pro-
NOTED. Had he lived he would have
entered heart and soul into the task of
bringing the capital to Helena, and it is
believed that Il he had lived Great Falls
and some other places that have come
into the race would have remained out
on account Of their affection for him.
The hardest labor he ever did was hat
which Immediately preceded his death
land it probably had something to do
with bringing about his end, consisting
Of the plans for the capital fight and the
actual work done to secure the fort for
Helena"
The publication OF my dispatch Of yes
terday in the TRIBUNE has excited no
end OF speculation regarding the real
status of the fort project, and a gentle
man who is largely interested in prop
erty here said today:
1T is Of vital Importance to Helena
that some decision should be reached in
regard to this fort project pretty soon.
False hopes have been aroused, and too
many things Of this kind are very de-
pressing. 1.-THE name of Russell B. Har-
rison was mentioned continually when
the project was before the senate, and in
the departments and people interested
here have been under the impression
that he was playing fast and loose with
Helena. or course it does not matter |
to US how the project was brought about,