The Anaconda standard., 1895-06-10
THE CLUB OF REFORM
MspdOlinerS Meet and Discuss Matters
of Local Importance.
PRAISE TO THE GRAND JURY
Excellent Work Done BY That Body
in Causing Certain Birds to
Wing Their FIight-Lean
BlPs Address.


Missoula, June 9.-The Mandolin cruz
held an interesting meeting TINS even
ing. all the members being present eN-
cent Fat Bill and Little Billee, who are
practicing for the Fourth of July tour
nanent and who will not be able 10
sit down for any length of time with
out serious discomfort to themselves
They were. therefore, excused. Inc
president announced that he had re-
ceived from Mayor Keith a written ac-
ceptance of the honorary membership
in the Mandolin club, which was re-
Gently rendered him in appreciation OF
his efforts in the cause OF REFORM Inc
letter from Mayor Keith was ordered
filed with the documents OF the cIup'
ana will be carefully treasured. In II
+ho roavor expresses his recognition of
the good work that has been done by
the club in the interests Of reform and
states that he appreciates the honor
conferred upon him by the club. He
also invited the club TO attend reform
dinner which he proposes to give in
honor of the mandoliniers next sun
day evening. This invitation was ac-
cepted unanimously.
The Professor then led the club in
singing the opening song, which was
rendered with vigor, although Lean
Bill forgot and began TO sing Ala
hama Coon" He was promptly ST.
fenced and the meeting proceeded
The President announced that the clup
had been much interested in the re-
port Of the grand jury, especially in
that portion of IL which concerned the
moral purity of the town, and that the
report would form the theme of the
evenings discussion. He announced
Lean Bill as the leader of the discus
sion and that modest member came
forward and delivered himself as fol-
lows:
The history of the grand juries in
Missoula has not been one which is
calculated TO inspire much respect Tor
that system of investigation, Whlch
has been handed down TO us by our
forefathers. For years grand Juries
have met in this county and have
spent much time in pretending To IN
yestigate charges which were brought
before them. They have almost in
yariably made a whitewash report ana
have drawn their warrants ana gone
away rejoicing. Nothing has been ac-
complished by them. and the grand
turies of Missoula county have become
a sort of standing joke wherever their
record is known.
Il am pleased to note-and / am sure
YOU all are-that at last one grand
Jury has been found that has the cour-
age to say something that is of impor-
tance In many respects the report
which was rendered last week was an
important one. IL established the fact
that many of the charges of tax dodg-
ing which have been made so promis-
cuously of late are false, but IL showed
that there are cases where none have
been suspected, in which there is a
In ha M
ment This evil is easily cured and
am confident that one result Of the
grand 1urys report will be that Mis-
soula county's assessment will be much
higher this year than II has been. But
1 am also glad to note that the lie has
been given 10 the accusations that nave
been made against prominent taXpay-
ers, that they had lodged the payment
of their just taxes.
"But that portion OF the report
which Is Of greatest interest TO this
city is the paragraph which refers TO
the presence of prostitutes on the prin-
cipal streets Of the city. The grand
Jury stated that IL had found this
state of affairs and had discovered
that "well-known men were mixed up
in the case. The mistake that the
grand jury made was that il did not
make public these names and prepare
indictments against the men whom
ought TO be punished. for they have in
jured the name of the city. The coun-
ty attorney has a list Of these names.
IL is said in the report but IL is not
likely that there will ever be any pros
ecution.
This much is certain. however. The
grand jury succeeded in breaking up
the nest Of iniquity which has -four
ished on West Main street and the
birds that inhabited it have winged
their way TO other fields. 1t is TO the
credit of the grand jury that they did
not hesitate to give the names of the
people who have rented their buildings
TO these people. That is something. II
Is noticeable that one of the blocks
mentioned in the report is owned by
the paper that has been preaching re-
form and progress, while IL has been
renting its second story 10 the people
condemned by the grand jury.
"If, now, the 'well-known men will
only follow the birds of passage who
have taken flight as a result OF the
grand Jury's action. all viii be well
That class OF men is ~ no particular
benefit 10 the city, and if they will q
the grand jurors VIII deserve promi-
nent inches in the temple 81 fame"
The statements 90 Lean Bill were
well received by the club and. upor
motion Of The Scribe. The Secretary
was instructed 20 send 60 the mem
bers OF the grand jury a letter express
ing the thanks OF the Mandolin club
Away. Away with Vice and Rum
was then sung and the meeting ad
Journed.
IN THEIR OWN LANnS