Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-07-09
Rain compelIs Outside Exercises to
be Abandoned and Crowd is
Huddled in the Corridor.
SANDERS SPEECH WAS READ.
Senators Clark and Gibson Deliver
the Principal Addresses, Gov.
TooIe Presiding.
Helena Record, July 5th.l

ing crowd circulating through the
rotunda the exercises marking the ded-
ication of the capitol were held yes.
terday Afternoon. The unfavorable
weather did not prevent a large number
OF persons from being present 10 hear
the orations by the leading citizens of
the state. The most striking feature
of the asemblage was the great num-
ber OF gray haired pioneers who gath
cred around the speakers stand and
were the most interested listeners to
the flowing periods telling Of the
great commonwealth which they had
founded.
When two o'clock, the hour set for
the ceremonies. arrived. the sky was
still heavily overcast with clouds. fit-
ful showers fell and a chilly breeze
fluttered the flags. Many of the invit.
ed guests Of the state had assembled
on the platform and In the entrance
hall and they put up umbrellas in such
numbers that they resembled a cluster
of bee-hives. The beginning of the
ceremony was delayed until fifteen
minutes after the time set and then
Governor j. X. Toole appeared at the
entrance and announced that the ex-
ercises would be held in the rotunda.
There was a rush for that point and
soon the whole rotunda was filled with
people surrounding the table which
was used as platform. while many
more peered over the balconies on the
four sides and from the galleries Of the
Legislative chambers. The grandstair.
way was also lined with listening peo-
pie. among whom stream of sight
seers constantly poured up and down.
Opening Of the Exercises.
The governor mounted the table and
delivered his opening speech in strong.
clear tones. his voice reaching to the
furthest limits of the crowd. lie was
followed by the Rev yan Orsdel, who
offered prayer in tones which were
clearly heard in the reverent silence
which reigned. Then Bradford Ellis
read the Declaration of independence
In a voice that lost much OF its carry
ing power through the constant buzz
of conversation. the clatter OF foot
steps going up and down the main
stairway and the scraping OF chairs on
the tiled floor.
But lull came when A. d. Peck
arose to deliver his address on The
Work of Capitol Commission" and to
make the formal delivery of the build
ing to the state. He spoke In clear
tones which reached the very limits
of the audience and reviewed ths work
OF the commission from the beginning.
There was a burst of applause when
toward the conclusion he spoke in
laudatory terms of II. l.. Franks pub
lie spirit in giving the state build
ing unmarried by slighted workman
ship, though he knew he would lose
many thousand dollars. The crowd ap-
plauded again when he told how the
governors portrait had been included
in the group with President Cleveland
and Secretary Of State Bayard which
commentaries the signing of the en-
abling act
Mr.. Peck concluded by handing to
Secretary of State. George w. Hays a
small Yale key. which he tok from his
vest pocket, and stating that with IL he
delivered the building to the state.
At the same time he delivered a per-
oration, in which he expressed ardent
hopes for the states future greatness.
Finished, Furnished and Occupied.
The governor announced that the
capitol had been delivered to the state,
saying: 1T is finished, furnished and
occupied" He called on Mr.. Hays to
speak in behalf OF the state and the
latter spoke in high praise of the work
done by the commission. He was
greeted with round Of applause as
he concluded by accepting the build.
ing on behalf of the state.
The governor then introduced Sen.
ator w, A. Clark TO speak on Mon
tana. Her Past, Present and Future"
saying
NO gentleman within the confines
Of the state is better qualified to speak
on this subject than our senior SEN
ator." Mr. Clark mounted the stand
dressed in a long dark gray frock
coat. closely buttoned, and striped
pantaloons. his whiskers brushed
aside from the middle. in his charac-
terized style. He was received with
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