The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-11
HELENA IS CROWDED
This Is the Greatest Convention Ever
Held in the City.
THE GOVERNORS WELCOME
An Exceptionally Large Delegation
of Interested Railroad Men In
Attendance-Imm
to Be Discussed.

4
Helena, March 10.-The state mining i'm
migration convention. now in session in
| this city. Is the greatest convention ever
| held in Helena. The delegates, alternates
| and visitors have been arriving in the
| city for several days past and kilograms
and letters received to-day are TO the el-
| feet that more will come in late tonight
and tomorrow. The interest manifested
| and the enthusiasm shown establishes the
| fact that the state is thoroughly aroused
| to the vital Importance of the outcome of
! the convention and those in attendance
are doing everything possible to make not
| only the present convention a glowing
| success, but have II a permanent and
| lasting effect upon the states future
The attendance Is many times larger
| than the most optimistic dared hope for.
While a goodly attendance was looked
| for, the outpsuring Of delegates. alter
mates and visitors was not expected. To-
days trains brought in hundreds from all
parts of the state and from several sur
rounding states. An exceptionally large
delegation are here from st. Paul and will
make addresses. The Northwestern Inn
| migration society. from which this con-
vention sprung, is also well represented,
T. L. Schurmfer. its president. and ID. II.
McGinnis. its secretary. both of st. Paul,
being here. The hotels and streets have
metropolitan appearance. being filled with
people. The Hobbies of the hotels are
crowded to their utmost capacity by dele
gates and citizens who discussing the
convention and its probable effect upon
the states future. Everyone is more than
pleased at the outlook and predict that
this Is the beginning of a movement that
will keep on growing until Montana is
one of the foremost states In the union.
The papers read to-day and this even
ing before the convention showed that
both time and care had been expended I'm
their preparation. They were mastery
pieces of Journalism and had their effect
upon those in attendance. So many dele
gates have come prepared TO speak and
urge the onward movement being inau-
gurated, that It was deemed necessary to
hold evening sessions both tonight and
tomorrow night. II was hoped to con-
tinue the convention over until Thurs
day. but the inability of the majority of
the delegates TO remain that long has ne
| cessitated the adjournment being made
tomorrow night in time for those going
east TO catch the train leaving at 1850
o'clock.
When the convention was called to or
der at 2 o'clock by Hon. Walter Jordan OF
Miles City. a sea OF faces was presented
TO him as he stood up and raped for or
der. The Auditorium seats about 9000 peo-
pie and II was comfortably filled. The
downstairs part was reserved for the del
egates alternates and visitors. The gall
lery was for the Helena people and for
outsiders who preferred to sit there. The
delegates sat in groups In sections seq
regated for them, each group being pla-
carded with a sign denoting the county
assembled around Il. Granite county had
a place in the center section. well up to-
wards the front. 1t was surrounded by
delegates from Carbon. Custer. Fergus.
Lewis and Clarke. Missoula. Silver Bow
and Yellowstone.
After calling the convention 10 order,
Rev. Mr. Streator was introduced, who
offered up a short but fervent prayer ask
ing for the Divine blessing upon the as
sembly and asking that His hand guide
them I'm all they did ere they adjourned.
w. Cooper was elected temporary chair
man of the convention. A. II. Barret
temporary secretary, c. ID. Greenfield as
sistant secretary. C. II. Edwards second
assistant secretary.
Governor Richards was then introduced
by Chairman Cooper. He then delivered
his address OF welcome. as follows:
II have been invited to extend to you
the welcome OF your fellow -citizens-the
residents of this city. This i do with
great pleasure. The welcome is, assure
you, very cordial. I welcome you TO the
capital city I extend TO you the fraternal
greetings of the people. bespeak for you
their best wishes, their cooperation and
their approval. You have been drawn to-
gether to-day by a patriotic sentiment
that will commend your work to the
hearty endorsement OF the citizens OF this
state. In this country OF magnificent dis
tances and still more magnificent ex-
penses men come from all sections OF the
state to exchange opinions relative to
public affairs only when great and impor-
tant questions invite their attention and
demand their time.
This assembly OF representative men Is
In evidence that an earnest purpose is
behind this convention and that its de-
liberations win prove OF practical benefit
to the commonwealth The time is come
when the larger and broader problems OF
statehood must be met. To attain that
IDEAL condition. which would entitle us 10
a star in the armament OF the flag was
once Montanas high ambition. but that
honor secured brings with Il the greater
and grander responsibility OF wearing Il
with credit 10 the state. To every loyal
and patriotic citizen a share OF this work
Is dedicated and must act his part on the
stage Of progress and bear the burdens
that will make Montana great.
The forecast for the future brightens
In the light OF such a movement as this
for IL indicates that theory Is taken on
the most substantial garments Of action
and that realization will be evolved from
hope. You have come here as practical
men. ambitious to grapple with the prob
lens that confront our people and the So
luton OF which wal make or mar the
prospects OF our splendid empire Of
mountain and plain. That you are equal
TO the wisdom required know; that you
have the patriotism TO carry into eXecu-
ton the plans and projects best calcu-
lated 10 bring about the results desired. I
am equally sure. As there Is no limit 10
the possibilities you may here outline
there should be no limit 10 the enthusi-
asm with which you enter the work OF
bringing these possibilities 20 a glorious
fruition- We honor the pioneers who
blazed the way for the civilization We
now enjoy; who made nature responsive
10 the toll OF man. who cleared fhe trou,
bies from our pathway and made possi-
bic grand territory and a sun more
glorious state. As We honor the pioneers
who planted American civilization In
ha - IL