The Anaconda standard., 1895-11-20
At THE EXPOSITION
!. Merrill Says That Montana
Should Be Represented.
HE IS TAKING AN INTEREST
Colorado Is Advertised at Atlanta
and This State Might as Well
Show the World What She
Produces-tiis Views.

Hon. Thomas u. Merril was III butte
yesterday on his way to Denver and Salt
Lake, and left at the Standard office the
following communication on o timely
subject:
To the Editor of the Standard: AS an
effort is now being made to continue the
Atlanta exposition throughout the winter
II would seem that there are several rea-
sons, II IL shall be continued, that would
make IL a matter of great Importance to
Montana that she should have an exhibit
at this exposition Of her mineral wealth,
at least. This exposition being In the
heart of the New South. will attract the
attention of the capitalists and
the business men of the entire country
and would undoubtedly be the best
possible means at the present time OF
advertising to the country and the world
at large the boundless mineral wealth OF
Montana. Other western states have an
exhibit and / see that our sister state OF
Colorado will have a Colorado day at the
exposition. Another reason why IL would
seem to be very desirable lies in the fact
that the success of bimetallism will de-
pend very largely upon united action on
the part of the southern and western
states. and anything that would tend to
strengthen the bond of unity between
the West and the South should not be
overlooked. The feeling In the South at
present is largely in favor of the full res
toration of silver to. its place as money,
Immediately, by this country, which, IL
IL can be accomplished. will bring pros
perity to the mountain states and terri
tories at once, while in its far-reaching
results IL will be as important to all 9TH
er states. IL would seem that an exhibit
Of the mineral resources of Montana
would be appreciated by the people OF
the South. who have been to the labor
and expense OF producing one of the
finest expositions that has been held I'm
the country. 1t is true that there Is no
money provided to pay the expenses of
securing and putting In place in the At
lanta exposition a mineral exhibit that
will do credit to the state Of Montana,
but II would be possible that IL immedi-
ate steps were taken by the mineral-pro-
ducing counties OF Montana that within
the next 20 or 30 days at the farthest,
such a collection could be gathered and
put I'm place. The entire expense Of Mon
tana's mineral exhibit at the mid-winter
fair at San Francisco was less than
$500. which included the expense of
looking after the same for six months.
The expense of securing and putting in
place an exhibit that would do credit to
the state at Atlanta would not, l think,
necessarily exceed the sum of 5000. and
1 would suggest that IL a portion of this
money should be set aside by the county
commissioners of Silver Bow, Deer
Lodge, Missoula. Granite. Jefferson Mad
ison. Lewis and Clarke, Meagher, Gala
tin and Park counties TO secure and send
TO Atlanta an exhibit of the mineral re-
sources of each county, to be arranged
under the supervision of some competent
man into a state exhibit, they could not
expend the same amount of money In
any other manner that would be of equal
benefit to these counties. IL may not be
practicable to do this, as II is so late and
the next regular meeting of the county
commissioners in the different counties
VIII not be held, / think, until about the
first of January. which would be. think.
too late. but IL the majority of the coun-
ty commissioners in each county would
signify their willingness and approval Of
an appropriation for this purpose the
money could undoubtedly be at once ad-
vanced by private individuals so that the
minerals for such exhibit could be OBJ
tained within the next 10 days or two
weeks at the farthest. ready for trans
portation- am authorized to say in be-
half OF the governor that he considers II
a matter Of grave Importance to Mon
tana that she should. IL possible. take
part in the exposition now being held I'm
Atlanta, especially in view OF the results
which were achieved for this state by
our mineral exhibit at the mid-winter
fair at San Francisco, and that he would
willingly render any assistance i'm his
power to bring about this result
II any action is taken It must be done
at once, and I would suggest that the
commissioners of each of the mineral
counties OF the state at once notify the
governor as to their willingness to APP
propriate their proportionate amount
necessary to secure this exhibit and that
the governor be requested TO apportion as
near as may be the sum OF $500 among
these counties.
Thomas G. Merrill
Mr.. Merrill expects to learn I'm a few
days whether the exposition will be CON
tinued during the winter. and IL II does
he win then consult with the county
commissioners OF the different counties
and will then determine what can be
done.
Mr.. Merrilfs trip to Denver and Salt
Lake is I'm the interest of the Bimetallic
union. and he states that before he re-
turns he will have the apportionments OF
those states paid into the educational
fund Of the union. As chairman of the
finance committee of the union. Il de-
wolves upon Mr.. Merrill to raise every
dollar that is assessed and he IS confident
that the whole $4,000 among the different
western states will be raised and that the
money will carry the work through the
next campaign. About $4,000 has been
subscribed In Montana and nearly All
paid In. and Mr.. Merrill says he will raise
the other 5000. as Mr.. Coleman. who Is
doing the collecting, Is a good man and
earnest in his work. or the amount sub
soribed In the state Helena Is credited
with $500. In two or three days Mr.
Merrill Will furnish the Standard with a
complete statement of the work done by
the Bimetallic union.
In speaking on the general outlook for
himetallism. Mr.. Merrill expressed him
self more confident than ever. II have
great deal OF confidence In the Ameri-
can people," he said. '.and I have conf
dence I'm the results of the education they
are receiving through their own dire ne
cessities. IL is an education they will re-
member longest Notwithstanding the
unanimous expression OF the eastern
press that the silver cause is dying out.
I have reasons to believe from informa-
tion that Is perfectly reliable, that the
cause OF bimetallism r. growing every
day. and the BimetalIic union is az work
for the unihcation OF all organizations
and interests In behalf OF bimetallism.
and IL viii soon be an accomplished fact.
The election Of this month .dld not show
that the voters OF the United States love