Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-09-29
THE FIRST GUN.
The Campaign in Fergus County Formally
Opened on Monday Evening.
Rousing Speeches Delivered by Hen. ]. E
Richards and Judge Hamilton. of Butte.

Lieut.. Gov. Richards and Judge
Hamilton were greeted with a large
and enthusiastic audience Monda,
evening. Chairman Stiles called the
meeting to order and named vice pres
idents as follows, who were invited to
take seats at the front: James Fer
gus, s. Phillips, VIM. Hortop, James
Reed, E. P. Chandler, c. l.. Coder, c.
NJ. Goodell, E. j. Morrison, E. Brassey
ID. A. Meagher, S. S. Reed, n. NJ.
Erickson, w. w. Dewitt, Frei War
rem, j. NJ. Vrooman, Chas. Williams,
C. A. Burg, w. C. Hanks, w. III. Bur
CESS, H. l.. Fisher, Rev. Geo. Edwards,
Rev. U. F. Hawk, Orlando Sawyer and
Thos. Gregory.
After music by the juvenile brass
band, Gov. Richards was introduced
by Chairman Stiles in a few well
chosen words, and for an hour held
the close st attention of his hearers,
being frequently interrupted by ap-
plause. After some preliminary re-
marks, Gov. Richards spoke OF the
great OF this state and es-
pecially of Fergus comfy. Then tax
ing up 1.-THE political issues, he discussed
the prominent questions involved in
the campaign IN q clear and able man
ner that carried conviction to his
hearers. For lack of space we arr
able to give only the substance OF his
able address, as follows:
For the first time in the history OF
our state we are interested in national
politics, not as observers, but, by the
grace of the Republican party, AZ
voters to help settle the issues OF the
campaign. The Republican party
ever has been, now Is, and promises
to be in the future, the party of pro-
gress and the party to which our ma
ton must look for the development
of it's resources. Never before in our
recollection has there been so pure an
administration Is that of Benjamin
Harrison, a man above reproach,
pure minded and courageous. 1t il
singular that, after looking for four
years for a man with whom they
could defeat Harrison, the Democrats
should again nominate Cleveland. We
are not ashamed to compare the rec
ords of Harrison and Cleveland. 1t
seems strange that the Democratic
party should pose as the advocate OF
western interests, and especially as
the defender of silver, notwithstand-
ing the fact that they havenominated
as their candidate a man who has an
nounced himself as the enemy of that
metal.
The speaker then demonstrated
mathematically that the Republican
party is the friend and the Democratic
party the enemy of silver, the coinage
| OF that metal being increased 216,-
600, 900 ounces during Harrison's ad-
ministration ove that provided by
the Bland bill. The speaker then
compared the administration of the
land office under Cleveland and under
Harrison, and spoke of the establish
ment OF two new land Offices in Mon
tana and the survey of twenty-one
townships in the Lewistown district
alone, opening up 1S3, 900 acres OF
land here under a Republican admin
istration. A quotation from Carriers
report was then read and contrasted
with an extract from Sparks report
under Cleveland.
Taking up the Mckinley bill and its
operation as affecting h woolgrow-
ers OF Montana, the speaker showed
conclusively that, while wool has de-
| clined in price here it has decreased
much more in foreign countries, and
were it % for the tariff would be so
low here that w~oolgrowers would be
unable to make expenses.
Referring to his RECORD as president
OF the state senate, Gov. Richards
said he had no apologies to make, and
that he was willing to stand oil hat
record. He explained some things in
that connection, and said he had
been sustained by Speaker Reed I'D
congress and by a unanimous decision
of the supreme court OF the United
States, composed partly by Chief JUS
tice Fuller and Justice Lamar, APP
pointed by Cleveland, and he believed
he would be sustained by the voters
OF the state next November.
Col. Botkin, the nominee for lleuten-
ant governor, was spoken of DIS a
thoroughly fitted and capable nan
for the place; and Charles S. Hart
man, the nominee for congress, would
not need tc come home and say that
he was unable to catch the eye or a
of the speaker OF the house. 81 will
stake my reputation" the speaker
said, son Charlie Hartman"
After showing the need OF state in
| SIlCullOIS anu SIdlc ltWS, CtusCd w
the Democratic obstructionists in the
first legislature, the speaker closed,
amid great applause, by thanking the
ladies for their presence and atten-
ton.
The glee club sang 'Under the Flag
OF Protection" and the chairman in
PRODUCED Judge Hamilton, of Butte,
who proved himself a clear and able
thinker and, notwithstanding the cold
he was laboring under, a pleasant and
entertaining speaker. His caustic al
lusions to the weaknesses OF the DEM
ocrats and his humorous descriptions
of facts captured the audience and
won for him a large share of applause.
His eloquent truths burned deep into
the hearts of his audience. Briefly,
among other good things, he said:
Through the storms and sunshine
of peace and war the Republican
party has stood true to freedom and
equal rights. We cherish the memory
of our great ones. The Republican
party has a call to live, and is the
party of progress. Taking up the
tariff question he handled the protec-
ton OF wool in an able and thorough
manner, that won many friends for
the party in Fergus county. Foreign
woods and shoddy and their importa
ton we're taken up, and the fallacies
of the Democratic platform thor
oughly ventilated. He showed that
they have a legitimate place and are
used / n England and foreign countries
more than here. Besides, their i'm
portation has decreased. The Nc
kinley bill is a blessing to all the
country as well as to particular parts.
II one industry suffers by low tariff