The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-26
Gov. Richards Will Not Counter
mand the Order IL He Can
Help II.
The National Guard Ia an Insti-
tuition That Should Be
Encouraged.
No Extra Session OF tho Legisiaturo Prob.
hbia tp Elect u senator or for ANY
Other Purpose.

Gov. Rickards' attention was called yes
terday to the suggestions made at the citi-
zens meeting that the annual encam mont
OF the national guard Of Montana WAS q
useless expense at this time. and ono that
should be avoided IL possible. Tho gov
ernor has always been accredited a al. onR
friend OF the militia, believing il to be q
strong arm of the state government in
times OF trouble. "Iho order for the on
chmpment has been Issued, :" he said, "and
1t must go on unless countermanded by me.
have the matter under adyisement 1t
unfo tunate that tho people Of the state 10
not gene ally appreciate the services OF tile
national quad. am one OF thoss
who believe it 1, an important
arm OF tue state governmenI You cannot
; II when We will need them or how badly,
AS a matter OF fact you cannot make the
national guard effective-and all sxper-
lenoe proves it--without such action by the
state a. shows its services are appreciated.
Neither can you obtain the discipline and
drill unless the members arc gotten to-
Eether. II will thus be readily seen that
whoever says the encampnent is Q picnic
or 1unket, is playing TO the galleries. 1t is
hard work. 1he officers drill the men be-
cause they feel that the state looks 10 them
to make the national guard effective. Tbese
mas not been AN cncampment for several
years. The men feel that their work ID not
APP reclated by the state. II the people
VINO think an encampment Is a junket,
with Its work in the dust and sun, let them
try ii once, and the chances are they will
be glad TO get their discharge before an
other comes around.
The Legislators. who represent the pso-
pie. have made an appropriation for the
purposes OF an encampment. The money
cannot be used for any other pur, ose.
Though ! have not made up my mind abont
IT, yet feel SO much interested In the na-
| tional guard that l hope to see nv way
clear to let them have the encampment
have the fullest sympathy with those who
feel that the strictest economy IL necessary
at this time. Yet. II at any time the ma
who are finding fault with this ex enditnvo
would be among the first TO ask the Qoy-
ernor to call them out. II there should be
trouble. not that Iexpeot or anticipate any,
II would most likely be at the thickly popu-
lated centers. The national quad is not
to repel foreign foes: its use ia simily VIII Z
might be called police duties In an EN-,
Renoy. The big centers, whore property Q
endangered, would be the first to call o.
the Rovernor TO order out the national
Ruaro TO protect lie ana property.
''Ihe national guard have a rerfeot right
II we enlist we are always ready for cal,
and the state should Ger out its part I
know that the national guard in towns il
maintained chiefly at its own expense. The
$500 given each company every year will
not pay the rent of q respectable srmoYy
even.
"As communicative chief ] can resoind
the orcer FOR the encampment. But the
| arrangements have gone along and a, 20
far made that it would be vory unfortunate
If found IL necessary to close"
Speaking of tho matter Of the senate
seating Lee Mantle or refusing to do so
the governor said that when he loft Wash.
inaton he WAS under the impression from
what he had heard that Mantle would be
given the place to which he had been an
ointed. He had talked with many sena-
tors who were opposed to seating Mantla,
and while thoy gave the reasons for their
opposition. which were constitutional
& ounds they gave II as their
belief that there would be
would be seated. Voorhees, and Plat who
were both opposed to seating the Montana
appointee. told the governor they were sore
he would be seated. As 30 the vote by
which Mantle WAS refused his seat the gov
nor believed those who voted on the
question. on both sides. did so from nm
1
! be right. The number not voting led the
governor to suppose that many OF Mantle's
friends were either away or paired. When
another vote is taken Monday they might
be back or in position TO take part, and that
might alter matters. Until something def
inte WAS lone, Gov. Richards said he would
not seriously consider the question of oall-
ing an extra session. Unless there was an
almost unanimous demand for il on the
part of the people, his own judgmens. az
| already stated was against such a course.
The COVE rnor's visit to Washington was
more particularly In regard to the state
land question. II think the interior de-
partment and Secretary smith are much
| intereste in u.s." he SAID. His trip here
has done us good. He has gotten q more
intelligent idea Of our resources and our
needs. had very pleasant visit wish
him."
Some requests have been made TO the
governor to have him consider tho advisa-
hility of calling an extra session OF the leg
islatnre to extand tho time for the payment
of taxes and the redemption of property
sold for non rhyment- Another idea ad-
vanced was to have legislation stopping the
sn orcement of the payment of obligations
for awhile. II am personally opposed to
anything of tho kind" said the governor,
1T would place us in false light and bs
disastrous to the interests of the state"