The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-09-03
Rousing Mass Meeting Held
at the Opera
House.
, ,,ce Attendance Fired With En-
thusiasm-COmmittee
Selected.

r.s one of the most enthusiastic and
harmonious gatherings ever held in the
cty, From beginning to end it was a
mass meeting in deed as well as name.
The masses were we'll represented and
II seemed as though every one in the
vast audience came prepared TO do some
GOOD work applauding if not in speak
inc. The remarks of the different
sneakers were frequently punctuated
with the heartiest of applause the like
n which is heard in few public meetings.
Though there were a number of politi-
cal meetings and held last
uipht in various parts of town in antici-
pstian of the approaching county con-
r%entions, the attendance was all that
could have been desired. Politics were
laid aside for the time and democrat, re
publican and populist went on record as
standing shoulder to shoulder in favor
of the most momentous question that
ever a%gitated this young city. 1t was an
important event in the history of Great
Falls which will attract the attention of
every voter IN tine state ana cause a cold
wave to sweep over several of the other
a~spirants for capital honors.
Ira Myers president of the board of
trade, was warmly received as he stepped
to the front of the stage and in a few
words to the point called the house to
order and announced the object of the
meeting. Mayor Webster was chosen
chairman and when he assembled to the
stage to thank the audience for the
honor conferred he was well %applauded.
lie briefly outlined the position this city
proposed to take in the capital fight. In
the language Of the painted banner
hanging above his head, the mayor said
We were in it to stay. The time had
passed when we could sit idly by and
make no struggle for such a prize, the
best in the gift of the state. The battle
would soon be on and with her usual
pluck and enterprise Great Falls had
about made up her mind to be in the fight.
Any doubts he entertained Of the feel
lngs of the people here on the question
were dispelled as he gaZed at the splen-
did audience before him and witnessed
their enthusiastic approval of the re.
marks of the president of the board of
trade. The time had come for action
and he had few doubts of the result If
Great Falls once buckled on the
armor. With a few figures relating to
the growth Of the city and community
the mayor closed his address amidst
hearty applause and called on Paris Glib
son whom he styled the veteran cam
paIgner, the founder of the most promis-
ing city in the northwest.
Mr. Gibson received a perfect ovation
as he rose in his seat. well down in the
house, and stated the reasons Great Falls
should become a candidate for the capital.
Only during the last few days had it be
come plain to him that Great Falls
SHOULD make an effort to obtain the
pIze; There had recently arisen cir
cumstances which would greatly aid
This city in the contest. The multi
pllcity of candidates for capital honors
look away from Helena much Of her old
time prestige. as the honurs would be
more evenly divided and in Il struggle
against several competitors Great Falls
would stand a better show than against
one opponent. 1t would be hoping for
100 much to expect to get away with the
th 'liO NtdI IIc tIouSHt. II w
Iect 10 strive for was to try to get sec
ond place after Helena. So when the
uOal vote is taken in 1891 the ommcr-
csI supremacy this city will have at
llalned by that time will carry everything
before it and Great Falls will be desig-
lated on the maps of the world as
Ie capital OF the thriving state of Mon
sAa; This city possessed from a geo
%stspnicai point many reasons why 1t
aOuld become the seat of state govern
aeht, 1t is nearly at the center OF the
aale' Everything points to it soon be,
cling also the railroad center. y road
VIII soon be built to the rich Judith
Gn'untry. connecting with the Northern
rraclfc: another bids fair to be built up
sne valley of Sun river to the rich agri-
fpaltural section along the base Gt the
uwckles. and a third to Castle. White
nu'phur, Livingston and the Park. We
ore now the third city in population, but
W TWO years, when the final vote on the
s'edt question is to be taken. we VIII be
second IL we secure second place now
mere can be no doubt of the ultimate
aesoit' As the geographical, commercial
"uu railroad center we would com
a'anu votes from localities which only
rev years g never mentioned
T 1le words Great Falls except in division.
W., u speaker never saw a community
a"at worked together like this whenever
question OF vital Importance was at
IKE and he had no fears that Great
nalls would go back on her well earned
aecoru' United action would win in the
ulu as 1t had in many IA previous contest
saen the interests Of the people were at
sake; He felt confident Great Falls
Would make a hard fight.
Ihe presiding officer than stated that
tSe meeting was informal and he trusted
auat any present who wished to say
sp!tning on the all absorbing question
aaouid not he at all backward, There
we're loud calls for Judge Race and he
,,ephed in a few' words which had the
I w ring and evoked spontaneous ap
pause. This city had experienced u
tlohomenal growth, il always secured
roout everything it went after and he saw
TTptredson why it should fail this time
mere should be no politics in the
Struggle, We shnull NIL nut our shoulders