Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-26
MONTANA'S CAPITAL FIGHT
A Controversy That 0versha dows All
Political Matters
The Hot Rivalry Between Anaconda
and HeIena-TO Be Decided
by the Election.

Letters received from Montana by differ
ent Washington men indicate that fierce
contest Is beirg waged in that state, and
that 1t is not between the parties, nor do
politics cut any figure, but it Is the perma-
nent location of the state capital that en-
crosses all the attention. At the last state
election there was a state capital fight, but
1t was tame compared to the present con-
test. At that time all the cities in the
state so desiring could enter the race, the
law providing that after the first contest,
in case no one city received a majority of
all the votes cast, only the two cities re-
ceiving the highest number of votes could
again contest. Helena, the present capital,
and Anaconda, small mining town, were
successful in the last contest, and 1t is
between these two cities that the people
must choose. Anaconda is practically
owned and controlled by the multi-million-
aire, Marcus Daily. He owns a paper at
that place. and is in control of the great
Anaconda Mining Company, which In that
region is all that the snake-like name inn
plies. Butte City, the old-time rival of
Helena, Is the home of VIM. A. Clark, who
Is the only successful antagonist whom
Mr.. Daily has, both being of the same po-
litical faith, and each bent on the destruc-
ton of the other. Mr.. Clark also owns a
posing Anaconda. Butte and Anaconda are
rot far apart. and in way are rival towns.
The Contest i'm Butte.
Butte. although the home of Millionaire
Clark. has many DAILY adherents. whose
money interests are in Anaconda 1t is in
this town where the contest RACES fiercest.
In the letters received from public men it
is stated that bloodshed is expected In
Butte on election day, II it does not occur
before. Butte Is largely mining town,
and has the reputation of being about the
toughest place in the west. that is, the part
that is tough, while there are thousands Of
very respectable and law-abiding citizens
there.
The republican paper, the Butte Inter-
Mountain, is supporting Anaconda as
strongly as the democratic paper supports
Helena. 1t is edited by Lee Mantle, who
spent considerable time in Washington try
ing to arrange for a seat In the Senate on
the governors appointment, but was finally
turned down.
In Helena all factions are for their home
town. Such republicans as Carter San
ders and Power stand with democrats like
Hauser, Toole and Lyman in support of
their town, and meanwhile the senatorial
fight is waived. AL these men might be
considered aspirants for the two senator
ships to be chosen in the next legislature
II they were not earnestly in the capital
fight
Bidding for support.
Every possible effort is Being made to Sc
cure the support of outside towns. 1t is
charged on both sides that every method
which money or brains can employ is re-
sorted to. An instance Is given. 1t was
claimed that merchants in the town Of
Great Falls were booming Anaconda be-
cause they were alarmed by the threats of
DAILY that he would put i'll large mercan-
tile establishments and underscll them.
Helena then resorted to tue same methods
and said that If the Great Falls merchants
did not stop talking Anaconda there would
be some Helena rivals in the town; and SO
1t goes.
II is not at all certain that the election
will settle the matter. II must be fought
out in the courts before there is a final de-
ternIinat ton.