The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-26
Special Dispatch to the Standard.

u.
Missoula, April 25.-A Standard re-
porter to-day interviewed some of the
local democrats as to their opinion re-
gardang the date Of holding the state
convention. The opinions of those who
were seen are as follows:
Hon. I. G. Denny, member OF the
state central committee see no objec-
ton to late date. We could then take
advantage of any mistake that the ST.
Louis convention will make, and we
might be able to win to our side some
of the boilers from that convention.
AS to the Montana delegates, do not
think that the date will make any diff
ference. They will be free silver men
and will be instructed in that way. I
do not see where anything will be gain
ed in this respect by holding the con-
vention later. nor do / see that there
would be anything lost. This 1 mean
as to the local phase of the question.
Hon. F. H. Woody. Judge of the
Fourth judicial district think en-
phatically that the convention should
be held at once. The convention will
pass strong silver resolutions and there
will be some force in the instructions
that will be given to the delegates to
the national convention. If the Mon
tana convention has any influence at
all 1t is in this direction, and these res
olutions would serve to stiffen some of
the states that are now in the doubtful
line. The report is being circulated in
the East that the states in the silver
belt are weakening in their support of
silver. The action of the convention
would give the lie to these reports and
would let the country know that we
are where we have been all the time.
I think that the state committee should
get together and call the convention at
as early date as possible. That is the
way to have our strength count for as
full force.
Hon. Hal. s. Corbett-I have not
given the matter any thought, but, on
the spur of the moment, I would say
that IL would be wise to postpone the
convention till after the republican ma
tional convention, and then we may
find that we have more strength. The
st. Louis convention will win friends
for us, and then we will be in a po-
sition to take advantage of mistakes.
d. ]. Bailey. county clerk-I think
that the convention ought to be held as
early as possible. 1t will not make any
difference in the Montana delegation IL
the republicans do make mistakes. We
have a hard fight to make, and the
sooner we begin 1t the better Ii will be-
F. G. Higgins-I think that the SOON
er the convention is held the better it
will be for the democratic party and for
the cause of silver. There can be moth
ing gained by delay. and I am of the
opinion that we will strengthen the
cause IL we get in early.
Hon. j. NJ. Evans, register of the
United States land office-By all means
hold the convention as early as possi-
BILE. The fate of silver will be deter
mined by the democratic delegates
from states that are now In the doubt
full line. The moral influence of a hot
silver convention in Montana upon
these doubtful states will Offset a hun
dred fold any advantage that would be
gained by postponement. The earlier
the better.
Hon. Walter NJ. Bickford-Hold an
early convention, pass silver resolu-
tons and then keep pounding the dele
gates on the back. Montanas voting
strength is six. That cuts but little
figure. but the effect of a strong silver
convention here upon Missouri, Illinois.
Michigan and Ohio will be great. Start
the fight early and make 1t a hot one.