Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1904-10-04
Republican Candidate for Governor
Meets with Rather Chilly ReCep-
ton in lewistown.
MAKES VERY POOR IMPRESSION
Republicans Openly Dishedrtened at
the Way "Opening Ceremonies
Are Conducted.

William Lindsay, the republican
candidate for governor of Montana,
opened his campaign in this city
Thursday night. If Mr.. Lindsay does
not succeed in arousing more enthu-
siasm in these parts of Montana than
he did in Lewistown, it will be one
of the most profoundly uninteresting
gubernatorial campaigns ever waged in
this state. Had it been the opening
campaign of the candidate for coroner
of Fergus county the scene could have
been but little less inspiring. To ex-
press it in unmistakable terms, the
opening ceremonies of Mr.. Lindsay's
tour of the state were tiZzle. The
leaders of the party here are evident
ly dispeased at the way the thing
turned out and dozens of the rank and
file of the party openly express their
b disgust at the tameness of the whole
affair.
But the republicans Of Fergus
county are not to be blamed to any
great extent. The members of the
party here are as loyal to the princi-
pies of their creed as any to be found
in the state; but they were handi-
capped by their candidate. Mr.. Lind
say might be able to create a little
more excitement if he happened to
be in an animated mood, but when he
is left to furnish the pyrotechnics
among bunch Of real live people he
is entirely out of his element. He
might make a showing at Methodist
conference, but he is a decided frost
at political gathering.
The ''opening' fireworks were ex-
tensiyely advertised with Mr.. Lindsay
as the big gun and Messrs. George
Bourquin and B. T. Hathaway as first
assistants. National Committeeman
J. d. Waite, Judge E. X. Cheadle and
r. Won Tobel went out to Helena to
hear Fairbanks and, incidentally, to
guide the distinguished state cam
paigners into the Judith Basin. I'm
fortunately, the train was over two
hours late and it was after 8 o'clock
and very dark when the party arrived.
A great ~ tiambeau procession con-
sisting of some fifty torches carried
by few men and several boys, formed
in line Oh Main street but did not get
to the depot in time to meet the poll
ticians. Not a handicap or cheer
greeted the gubernatorial aspirant
when he aljghted from the train and
climbed into the only carriage that
happened to be there. The carriage
met the procession about half way up
First avenue and the party were given
Il perfunctory little cheer. after
which the boys with the torches
dropped in behind and marched to the
hall. Had they been marching behind
the body OF dead comrade the thing
could not have been more solemn and
aioiseless.
Arriving at the hall. Chairman
Symmes took the gentlemen in charge
and led them to the stage, which was
occupied by the band. The band was
playing when the gentlemen went
onto the stage and the crowd present
did not deem it necessary to interrupt
the sweet strains of music by any up
roarious applause. A half dozen or
more who understood the proprieties
of the occasion, gingerly handed out a
little applause but they received no
support from the crowd. Chairman
Symmes introduced Mr.. Lindsay as
1.-The next governor of Montana" Mr..
Symmes has a reputation for truth
fulness and yeracity but it looked as
if the larger number of those in the
hall considered his assertion as more
or less of joke. The chairman also
invited all of the candidates for county
Office to come to the platform and oc-
cipy u few of the dozen or more
empty chairs, but they all respectfully
declined the honor. The good looking
chairman and the three visitors ap-
peared just little lonesome sitting
up there all alone but they had to
stick it out.
When Mr.. Lindsay stepped forward,
there was uproarious applause-from
about five people-perhaps six. Mr..
Lindsay's appearance is not one to ex- !