Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-08-09
HELENA AND GALLATIN.
A Bozeman Man Gives Reasons for Keeping
the Capital at Helena.

BoZEMAN, Mont, July IL, 1S94.-I
am pleased to note your position on
the capital question and am moved
to say that having been resident
and taxpayer OF Gallatin county for
IL number OF years | am much inter
ested in that question. | must say
that | am a little surprised at the at
titude OF the Courier and Chronicle In
this matter. However | would not
impsach their motives. This is a tree
country and they have inst the same
right to favor Anaconda rs the Hus-
baniman has to favor Helena. But
that they VOICE any considerable part
Qf the voters in this county | do not
believe. Their arguments SAVIOR of a
grievance against HeIona tnr working
so zealously III her own interest for
the capital one year ago. | suppose
her right to do that WAS just as good
as that OF any of her competitors. If
Anaconda and Butte had turned IN
with Bozeman results would have
given Bozeman the capital. But they
chose not to do 1t, leaving Bozeman
to fight her own battles. They had a
right to do Just as they did. So had
Helena. But why kick Helena and
hug and kiss Anaconda when each
worked for her own interest with all
the power available as against Boze-
man? | think It shows the poverty OF
real good, substantial reasons in favor
of Anaconda hence the resort to dust
throwing. 1t may be further said that
Helena has been "hoggish" heret otore
in political affairs, etc. Well, what OF
it? | venture the assertion that
everything she has asked for and OBJ
directors under like circumst ances.
1t is not from principle they find fault
| but because they were unsuccessful.
In other words they are not less selfish
than Helena but less strong, One Is
reminded of contest hetween two
boys. 1t is friendly and pleasant till
the stronger gets the best OF 1T, then
the other gets mad, threatens to tell
pa and perhaps throws II parting sa.
lutte in the shape of a few stones. The
people of Gallatin county, however
have good sense and willnot be caught
"biting off their own nose to spite
their face" as they surely would be
doing in voting for Anaconda.
The west side city is a neat town
dences and the people are very kind
and hospitable. However, in large
substantial buildings no one claims
any comparison with Helena, nor arr
the citizens of any one town in Mon
tana superior i'm kindness and hospi
tality to those OF any other town il
the state,
In determining the question OF loca
ton all personal prejudice should b'
laid aside and only such questions
considered as will be for the best in
terests OF the entire state ior the mex,
thirty or fifty years. 1t seems to thu
writer that any unbiased person can
not avoid the conclusion that Helene
distances her competitors clear ou
of sight on every salient feature
Reader, suppose you desired to locat
business at some central point II
the state SO as best TO accommodate
all parts, with the varied interests ex
, actly as they now are, where would /
, be? To ask such a question is t.
answer it-Helena. Anaconda coul'
, not be considered for a moment unde
such proposition. Then why shoul
you favor her for the capitalg SUP
pose n competent and entirely III
: biased party were invited from
neighboring state to come, view IN
ground and choose sgch u location 10
: the capital ~ would best accommc
t date all portions OF the state, ca
, there be a shadow of n doubt tha
Helena would be selected? None whai
ever.
I How many times in the course of
wear is the average citizen called I