The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-01-24


ton the counties would send a better
average grade of men. However, IL Is
not at all probable that any reappor-
tionment will be made at this session.
Following the suggestions made In
Governor smiths message. certain
members of the legislature have de-
manded a full and complete investiga-
tion OF all matters connected with the
capital building commission. the
committee authorized by a vote OF the
house win be appointed by the speaker
on Monday. and will probably be COM
posed Of a republican. a populist. ana
three democrats. The bill creating the
capital building commission was
rushed through during the last days on
the fourth legislative assembly WITH
out opposition. The hill was with a.
few minor exceptions copy OF the
Washington bill. under the provisions
of which the capitol at Olympia was
built Governor Richards appointed as
members of the commission DIR. e. n.
Cole, w. X. Flowcrree, y. NJ. Bickford
and c. F. Lloyd. With the exception
OF Judge Bickford all these gentlemen
occupied official positions before their
appointment. a fact which led to ad-
verse criticism. Plans were ADVERTISED
for and In due course of time submit-
ted from many architects. When the
proper time came for expert examines
tion of the plans, the commission
selected for that position Seymour
Davis OF Philadelphia. kilograms ~
inouiry to leading architects Of Phiiat
delphia are said TO have brought the
reply that Davis was unknown there-
II was pointed out that the Washingv
ton commission had In a similar case
selected one Of the best known archi'
tecturaI experts in the country. Davis
came to Helena, made his examination
of the plans and was paid 5000 ana
expenses for his services. Before the
commission made Its decision. ma
ority of the members went 10 NAM
moth Hot Springs In the Park, but
there was a current rumor ON tne
streets that MIR. Mann Of ST. Louis nau
been awarded the prize ana MS pian
accepted. As this rumor spread, u
was alleged that Mann's reputation as
an architect was not of the best. The
investigation resulted I'm a supervising
architect being placed over Mr. Mann.
In charge of the work. When the plans
were on exhibition at the Auditorium
Il was pointed out that In 10 minor de-
tails MIR. Manns plans did not agree
with the specifications.
The plans OF MIR. Mann were accepted.
The commissioners then made u trip 10
OLYMPIA at an expense or s2i mem
ber TO consult with the washington
commission. Upon their return ane
contract with Mann was signed. TINS
has led to still more vigorous criticism.
he.
Immediately paid 5000. BY the terms
of the contract he Is to receive Nb. Wv.
of which he has already been paid w, :
ZOO. He will receive 5000 more wiieu
he turns over the large detailed draw
ings, leaving only sl3,500 to be paid III
the course Of the years while the capi-
tol is being built under his SUPERVISION
An ANALYSIS of the expenses OF the
commission as far as warrants nave
been drawn shows that of the total OF
s3s. .i75l1 the commissioners Tor miiehse
and per diem have received as follows:
c. X. Cole. s96s.50: W. NJ. Bickiord'
S,541.S5: W. X. Floweerree. $l,Oo2.65' Z.
f. Lloyd. $l042.sO: Governor Richards
s27. "a: aggregating A.5S9.5o. For eN-
cayation warrants have been drawn for
s.. $3.50. &c. Clerk hire has cost s9,35s3o,
while MIR. Mann has been paid 81. 500,
there being Is separate warrants all
drawn Dec. 81. 1896. and for sums rang
ing from $500 to $1,000. These are mat
ters which will occupy the attention Of
the investigating committee. The
members of the commission say they
court the fullest and freest inquiry.
Although his name appears before
the public less frequently and conspic-
uously than many others. one of the
most influential factors In current Mon
tana history Is the Hon. sam Word.
The law co-partnership heretofore ex-
isting between Robert b. Smith and
Samuel Word under the firm name Of
Smith & Word has by mutual consent
not neen dissolved. Sam Word Is Bob
Smiths fidus Achates. his Macaenas,
his Pythas. his Mark Hanna, his pre-
mier, his chief OF stan. his minister
plenipotentiary and envoy extraordi-
nary. Nothing herein contained shall
he construed as insinuating that u
Sam Word should embrace the green
cheese theory of the composition of the
moon. the same would he accepted and
cherished by Governor Smith as an ar
ticle OF religious faith. The governor
has mind ard wisdom of his own. and
a Word tp the wise Is sufficient. Sam
Word is simply power behind the ex-
ecutive throne. There are said tn be
other powers. and. as in the case OF
Turkey. there is rarely. II ever. a con-
cert Of all the powers. But Sam Word
Is the one great power which when In
state of activity usually eclipses and
transcends all other powers. sam
Word IN not omnipotent. but Sam Word
is puissant. We call him chief. and We
do well to call him chief who for twelve
or fifteen long years has ratified around
Montana without any pull at all and
who s now possessed of the pull of O
| freight engine, or even OF dull razor
in the hands of an inebriated barber
Sam Word is a man of individuality
and force. He loves his friends. and
hates his enemies-hates them with
fierce. tireless. relentless hatred. II,
passionately admires the Smith. tn,
Neills and the Davidsons, while h,
loathes the Coles. the Edgertons and
the Beatties. But.Sam Words particu.
lar bette noir Is one Marcus DAILY. IN,
mere mention OF whose name causes
Sam Word Ia foam at the mouth, spur
blood at the nose and the ears and fal
In a horrible and horrifying fit. Alto.
gether. next to Colonel Sanders, Sau
| Word Is the most interesting, versatile
and picturesque old euss in Montana
to-day.
Perrin, the democratic member from
/ Fergus. is keen watcher of legisla.
/ tive proceedings. He keeps track %
the progress of debate with one ey,
on the constitution. and at the frs
| m.squotatiOn or transgTcssion Is on hi
feet and proceeds To nail the trans
| gressor To the cross OF unconstitution