Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-09
MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTE BY ~
LOW TOWNSMEN.
MEN TO DRAW HIS CARRIAGE
CHEERING THOUSANDS MEET
HIM AT THE TRAIN AND ES-
CORT HIM HOME.
Special to the Inter Mountain.

W
Great Falls, Mont, March 9.-The city
of Great Falls, the home of Montana's
newest senator, Hon. Paris Gibson, gave
her favorite son royal reception yest-
terday, on his return from the legisla-
ture at Helena which hOnored the man
and the state in nominating him for the
high position he is to occupy for the
next four years. 1t was the greatest
demonstration ever seen in the city. and
was strictly nOn-partiSan. EeVerbody
in the city, regardless of political aft1ia-
tions is pleased with the outcome of the
long senatorial fight; for all know Mr..
Gibson's capabilities, and that he will
be a credit to the state.
When the news reached the city, inter-
ested friends and neighbors started out
at once to arrange for a demonstration
and it was Ike finding money, collect
ing for so welcome a cause. All the
business houses on the principal streets
were decorated with bunting and BAN
ners. The stores We're generally closed
at noon, and the school children, 1000
strong, many of them with flags. We're
given half holiday, to join in the fes-
tiVities.
A delegation was sent to meet Mr..
Gibsons train at Ulm, while the rest
of the committee arranged the reception
at home. AS the time drew near for
the arrival of the train, great crowds
gathered at the depot When the train
did arrive, and the newly-made senator
appeared on the platform. the crowd
broke loose in the most tremendous
cheering ever heard in the state. 1t was
a fight from first to last for the privi-
lege of shaking the hand of the best
known man in the city; indeed, the man
to whom the present city OF Great Falls
owes it's very existence Only a small
fraction of the thousands of admirers
| got near enough to have the honor Of
shaking hands.
A beautiful flower decked carriage
had been prepared for his reception
and to it was attached a long rope, the
carriage drawn by hundreds of lusty
admirers of the senator. The Boston
and Montana band and the Great Falls
Flambeau club, in full uniform, We're in
the procession. which stre\,ed up to
the head of Central avenue and then
back again, the crowd cheering like mad
the while. 1t was the most magnificent
ovation ever given Montana citizen,
in all probability, and one that will
serve as model for long time to
come.
At the Park hotel, the procession halt
ed, and Mr.. Gibson was given an op-
portunity to reply to the persistent cries
of speech" Speech" He finally made
a very brief address. as follows:
"Friends and Neighbors-This is the
proudest moment of my life, but not
because I have been elected by the leg
islature of Montana to represent our
state in the United States senate. That
to me is small affair in comparison
with the reception you have given me
to-day, together with the kind acts and
generous consideration I have always
received from you both in my prosper
ity and adversely during the many years
l have lived amongst you. l am glad
that l can say to you that the vote Of
the Montana legislative assembly last
night which elected me to the federal
senate was not the result of my efforts,
and that no man can say that he was
influenced by any appeal of mine in
casting his vote for me. l am proud
that l am able to say to you that be.
lieve my election is in a degree an in
dorsement of the % years Of my life spent
in Montana, and that it is in a measure
acceptable to the people of this state
IF shall live to take my seat in the
senate of the United States, everything
I can do to advance the interests of
this rising state will be done. Ny
friends, hope l may be able to show
you my gratitude for your esteem so
often shown to me. AS I am tired and
my throat is sore, / know you will par
don me for speaking so briefly. Even
at my best no words of mine could ex-
press to you my feelings at this time"
An elaborate banquet and fireworks
display has been provided for tonight
Prominent men from all over Montana
will be present, and the senator will reply
to the ovation in a speech of some
length, which will be in the nature of a
speech of acceptance of the homer shown