The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-24
THE BEST IN THE NORTHWEST
THURSDAY. JANUARY "a. 1895.
IL Should Be Looked Into.


the Butte Miner respecting what has
lately been said by the local press is
eminently judicious and timely. Just
ice is what is demanded, not PARTISAN
ship. We do not believe that a vim
dictive spirit animates the people of
Butte or that vengeful feeling
has any place in the local press.
The first days proceedings at
the inquest revealed DISPOSE
tion to withhold the facts. Against
that spirit this page protested, not in
prejudice but in the name of the peo-
pie. The occasion for criticism has
passed, and there let the matter rest.
The Miners remarks put the affair in
what appears to us to be the proper
light as far as the attitude of the pub
lie is concerned.
1t also seems timely to hold public
attention TO the incidents that are
related indirectly, at least, to the in
quest. The Miner puts these in five
questions which we quote:
Is It true that explosives have been stored con-
trary to law?
Is 1t true that giant powder has been stored
within the city limits Of Butte in excess OF the
amount permitted 10y law?
l. 1t true that explosives have been stored
within the city limits with the knowledge OF the
city authorities?
Is 1t true that giant powder has been stored in
buildings to which hundreds of people in Butte
have been invited to attend public receptions?
Is it true that on the night OF the explosion
thousands OF pounds OF giant powder were re-
moved from certain stores in the city?
Whether these things are true or
not, they have been charged, and they
should be inquired into. Only, it
seems to us that more than anonymous
reference is what is wanted Name
the accused by name. The Miners
fourth inquiry is whether powder has
been stored in a building where hun
dreds of people have met in attendance
at reception. Why write the ques-
tion in a way that leaves the public to
guess what the reference may be
Why not put it this way-ls it true
that there was giant powder in the
store of the futile Hardware company
at the hour when hundreds of citizens
were attending in that building the re-
ception given by the Irish American
club? That is the frank way to put it,
If such a suspicion is abroad, the
city authorities ought TO make
searching investigation. Careless isn't
the word that would describe risk
so terrible as that which the Miners
question involves. The people of
Butte, through recognized authority
operating without favorit ism or pre-
judice, have a right to be assured on
this question of the storage of pow
der. They have a right to demand the
security which law provides against
the risk which common report says
they are constantly running.
Let the investigation reach every
wareroom, every cellar and the books
of every company dealing in powder,
let account be taken of what powder
is or has been in stock and let those
who have violated the law be pun
ished as the law provides
1t is not the function of newspa-
per to rush into print with every ru-
NOR that runs through the town, but
when a report like the one we have
just referred to is published, the right
way is to name the place and name
the firm.
If the STANDARD has guessed wrong
in guessing at the reference in our
Butte contemporary, the name of the
right firm will be promptly substi-
tuted: but let every firm be called 70
account without fear or favor.