Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-10-18
Helena for the Capital.
HALBERr, Mont, Oct. l2, "a

HAI.BERr, Mont, Oct. ~, '94.
EDITOR ARGUS:
"Helena for the capital is what we
believe in thoroughly. She has con-
tinued to grow up in Last Chance,
while Bannack and Diamond have
become only pages in our states his
tory; Virginia and Deer Lodge merely
chapters. She is the connecting link
between the past, with its hardships
to our early pioneers, it's horrors OF
robbery and murder, it's wrestling by
the ''force of arms" for supremacy,
and the substitution of right, of law,
of order, of security of life. in the de-
velopment of our great natural re-
sources, of progress, up to the living
present.
Helena stands pre-eminently the ex-
ponent of true Montana pluck, energy,
progress, whole souled hospitality,
and generosity to the encouragement
of every home industry. Her capital,
more than that of any other town,
has radiated to every part of Mon
tana, to open her mines OF gold, OF sill
yer, of coal, to supply the herds and
flocks which convert her grasses into
untold wealth. Outside the matter OF
common accessibility, in which she
stands without a peer, Montana wants
for her capital a representative city
one that shows wealth, stability and
permanence of character, already
earned. Then vote for Helena.
No city of America has suffered more
in her infancy from fire; but, Phoenix
like, she has risen each time-true to
the Montana spirit that twill not be
downed''-in greater splendor from
her ashes. Many, like myself, do not
own dollars worth OF property there,
do not know that We ever shall; re-
pudiate any mercenary motives, not
being interested in real estate booms
in either Anaconda or Helena, but
speak for the "eternal fitness OF
things" 1t is a disgrace to the electors
of the state, that Anaconda is in this
race at all.
Bozeman, by position and by her
part in her states history, would be
a much more fitting competitor. Ana
conda is alien in every interest and
sentiment. 1t is n commentary on the
change from the sterling worth and
integrity OF character OF our early citi-
zens, that so many were found in '92
who could be so influenced by merce-
nary considerations, as to permit Ana
con,ia to be entered against Helena.
1t is an insult to the dignity OF the
manhood of Montana to be openly
informed that ''forty per cent OF their
votes can be bought for a price" Can
it be that so many can be found who
will plead guilty to that Indictment
who wish to wrest from the actual
settler-the permanent citizens OF Mon
tana-this boon they covet, to place
their capital where they want it, where
it belongs, with all propriety to our
past history, by every promise OF fu-
ture glory? Are there so many OF these
aliens, merely looking for few weeks
or months OF work in building "a new
city'-who are here today and gone
tomorrow-forgetful that nearly the
same material impetus would begiven,
if successful, to the oller place? Away
with the thought. Away with the ''da-
goes" and "rounders" who will sell
their birthright for a "mess OF potage."
Down with the "Henry Plummer" OF
'92 and '94. Why did we not start a
syndicate to develop the scheme OF
the Maiden, Lewistown and Pacific r.
r. Co., discharge all miners in the
county. hire more foreigners, employ
them on our highways la Coxey-
! offer to build this great railroad if
they would vote us the capital
as soon as real estate in Maiden be-
came worth $4,000 per front foot on
Main street?
What lost opportunity for Fergus
county. We could have then
been in the capital race on an equaI
footing with Anaconda, and all that
was needed, Mr.. Editor. was a ''littls
money" and considerable nerve.
The brazen effrontery of Mr.. DAILY