The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-01
READY FOR THE BATTLE.
Politicians Of All Shades Of Opinion
Gathered in the Capital
City.

City.
The House Organization the Lead
Ing Topic With All the
Parties
TARss Caucussss Last Night and Thre
To-DAy-Dsmocrats VIII Organ
iss the House.
The HoSsl Helena yesterday was the
Mecca Of che politicians. Though carly in the
day there we're comparatively few members
ofthe legislature in town, the candidates fol
ths various offices in the gift of the two
houses crowded the lobby aud ~button'holsd
not only all the members. but also anvon'
elsa whom they thought might have intlu'
snce with the lawmakers. The hrst train
In the morning brought in a few msmberi
from Butte; the train from the west a
noon brought in more. Additional NOM
bers came In on the weatbond train; thu
Great Northern brought moro lawmaker'
to town, and when the local trains from
Missoula and Butte arrived they brought
additions. From seven to nine last might
the lobby in the hotel was 30 crowded thai
II was difficult to move about. Members
were getting acquainted with one another,
while in every corner private confsrenoea
were being held. Candidates for offices in
the Legislature were as thick almost az
members, and the way they button-holed
she new arrivals was q marvel. The most
active canvassers we're the boys who wanted
10 be pages. They all had cards and
they were 90 persistent in their s%olicita-
tions that many of the members had a.
many as four cards of n boy in his
pocket. But the members and the candi-
dates did not make up all the crowd. A
majority OF the prominent men of the state
were also present. Gov Elect Richards and
Lieut.. Gov. Elect Botkin were shaking
hands with old friends and making new
enes; Gov. Toole had a pleasant greeting
for every one; Hon. L. E. Collins. of Great
Fails. was also present, as was Hon. W. A.
Clark. ex-Gov. s. Il. Hsuser, Hon. j. r.
Toole, Of Anaconda; Hon. Martin Magin-
mis-. Mayor Mantle and Thomas Couch, Of
Butte. Col. w. +. Sanders, State Auditor
Elect Cook. State Superintendent of Public
Instruction Steere, and dozens of local pol
iticians. Peter Breen came over yesterday
with a little boy whose cause he is cham
pioning for pARe and he saw that the little
fellow met as many members IA possible.
Hon. Will Kennedy, of Boulder. mot old
friends and was looked to by both sides az
the man to 90 to for information in regard
40 populist plans.
Early In the day the senatorial problem
was the one most discussed; but in the even
ing it vent to the rear and the prevailing
theme was the organization of the house.
Tae democrats were confident they could
control the organization. as including Ham
ilton they would rave 81 in the house, the
republicans % and the popnlists 3. They
also claimed that two of the populists would
join with them in the organization, and one
with the republicans, thus giving them q
votes to 26 for the opposition. The repub-
iioans claimed they would have tho orGani-
ration on the ground that all the populists
would vote with them, n saying
that while Hamilton would be seated
on his certificate, that Leech would con-
test and the p~opulists would vote with them
on the final result. As to the populists
themselves, they are not a unit as to their
action. They feel that the best policy for
them to pursue to secure favorable action
on any legislation they may desire is to
stand in with the democrats. If they op-
pose tho democrats in the house when thei,
bills get before the senate the democratic
majority under such circumstance may no,
favor them. while if they work with the
democrats in the house OF political ques-
tions they will be assured of democratic
support in the senate on any measures they
propose. They have concluded they
cannot elect Mulville as senator.
and if they can accomplish
thing in the way of legislation
they feel it will be of great consequence to
to the rank and file of their party. If they
stand in with the republicans in the organ.
ization of the house and in the senatorial
contest it will not profit their party one
iota, but il they can secure the support OF
the democrats their influence will exte nd
all through the session. instead of ending
with the senatorial election. This is the
point the populists members are consider
ing. as we'll as the populist party generally.
and they recognize fully the critical situa-
tion in which they are placed. There il
little doubt but their best judgment will
prevail, and that under the circumstances
they will join with the democrats in organ
izing the house. As to their position in the
senatorial contest. a strong pressure is be-
ing brought to bear to have them stand
united for Mulvills. To this they seem
willing to accsde. though they have not
formally announced that they would.
Members of all the parties held caucusss
last night. The general democratic head-
quarters 10 at room q. Hotel Helena, and
there the members-elect and prominent
democrats met last night. The situation was
Informally discussed and it was decided to
hold another meeting this afternoon at
three p. m. at the same place. The repub-
licans also held a caucus at the Power
block. They did nothing more than the
democrats. hut it was determined to use
every e~xertion to bring the populists to
their side. They will also hold another
meeting to-day. The populists held the live
Hest meeting in the Granite block. d.. w.
Beecher, A. +. Bray and Tbos. Matthe VS..
the populist members, were present, as we'll
rs Il fair representation of populists from
different sections Of the state.
MI. Bray was called on to
deine his position and said
he WAS too sick to talk. but he advised the
populiats to stand together. Mr.. Matthews