Middletown transcript., 1894-08-11
our MOUNTAIN STATE.
A Region as Promising as it is Big and
Beautiful.

tiles that bespeak the future of tn
] city. The plans for Fort Harrison
which is to be one of the largest mill
tary posts in the Union, have beel
, adopted and work will commenc
within thirty days while the compile
tion of two new railroad lines into th,
city next season is already assured
Butte, the greatest mining camp OF
earth, is likewise picturesque city O
commercial Importance.
Aside from these centres of popula-
tion, Montana has lots of other town.
environed by conditions that assure q
prosperous future. In addition to in
exhaustible mineral wealth, Montana
has vast farming area, and for its
scenery the state has been fitly called
"The Switzerland of America" Mon.
tena is bigger than all New England,
with New York, New Jersey, Mary
land and Delaware included. In the
eastern portion of the state are the
great stock ranges, made famous by
the figure they cut in the commerce of
the country.
Montana's initiation into statehood
was accomplished under remarkable
conditions. In its territorial days
Montana was chiefly Democratic, hav-
ing been largely settled by Missourians;
but immigration from the Northern
States had strengthened the Republican
party, and with the approach of State
hood the struggle became intense. The
Democrats elected the first Governor,
but the Republicans sscured the re-
mainder of the offices, and the fight
centred upon the control of the Legis-
lature, which was delegated with the
duty of electing two Senators. 1t hap
pened that an obscure precinct, with
but 174 votes, set apart for men tempo
rarily employed in the construction of
a railway line, determined the political
complexion of the Legislature, and
hence the Senators to be chosen. Hav-
ing unearthed frauds of the most flag
rant character in this precinct, the Re-
bublicans contested the returns, secur-
ing their rejection by the State Board
of Canvassers. The local board was
mandamused by Democratic Judge
to count the retuns, but the State
Board of Canvassers issued certificates
to the Republican candidates, and was
sustained by the Supreme Court. The
Democrats, under the leadership of the
"Big Four" a quartette of millionaires
determined to carry the fight into the
Legislature, precipitating a contest
that resulted in peadlock through the
entire session, and the greater portion of
the session of the next legislature, The
Democrats were determined 10 prevent
the election of RepublicanSenators, or to
cloud their titles so as to prevent them
from being seated, 1t was struggle
that threatened bloodshed, which was
averted only by the craftsmanship of
Gov. John E. Richards, who at that
time presided over the Senate as Lieu
tenant-Governor, and others. His firm
attitude and the clearness of his rulings
gave him the title of ''Montana's Man
of Iron," and won for him the respect
of his political opponents. The great
battle was fought to finish in the Sem
ate, where no seat was in dispute, and
where the members were equally divi-
ded between the parties. In this body |
the Democrats endeavored to prevent |
the Legislative Assembly from acquir-
ing legal organization, ably seconded |
by such prominent Democrats as Sena-
tor Vest, who sent suggestions from
Washington. To the fact that Gov.
Richards exercised unerring judgement
in his rulings the Republican party
owes its final triumph. A mistake in
judgement would have led to acts of
violence that would have discredited
the State and surrounded the subse-
quent contest before the United States
Senate with such elements of doubt as
to bar Montana from representation.
So much did the party appreciate the
work of Mr.. Richards that he was
to stand as a candidate for the
Senate himself, but his presence as
presiding officer was required. One of
the most important of Gov. Richards
rulings, namely, deciding that MEM
ber present, though not voting, was
present for quorum purposes, met with
heated opposition from the Democrats,
but was recognized as one of far-reach-
ing consequences when Speaker Reed
Of the National House of Representa-
lives made similar ruling short time |
thereafter and was sustained by the |
Supreme Court of the United States.
Montanians are deeply interested in
,he silver question, and when it is set
led and the white metal rehabilitated, |
he new State will enter upon an un-
oaralleled era of prosperity. Pending
,he triumph of bi-metallism, however, \
,he mining of gold is pushed with
activity, and the output this year
to be the greatest known since
;be old days, Montana is filed with
gold prospects, which improved meth
DDS of mining have made very valuable
lespite adverse legislation.-New |
York Recorder.
Marvellous Results.