Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-06-28

AT BILLINGS
Fergus County Delegates Return Home
Well pleased With Work Done in
Initiating Movement.
STATE BUSINESS MEMS LEAGUE
Officers Are Elected, and Butte |,
Chosen as the Place for the Next
Meeting.

The Fergus county delegates to the
convention of the Montana Business
Mems League, held at Billings last
Saturday, have returned home, and all
are greatly pleased with the result so
far attained in this movement initiat-
ed for the purpose of advancing the
material interests of Montana. The
Fergus delegates were George j.
Wiedeman, David Hilger, j. E. Lane,
II. r. Watson and H. A. Benner, of
Lewistown, and Patrick Nihill, of
Moore. They state that as all of the
business had to be transacted in one
day, and as there was much to dis.
pose of before the organization could
be formally launched, the proceedings
were, of necessity, more or less hur-
ried, and some matters that they hop
ed to see given more prominence and
consideration were passed for the
time being. Yet all OF the delegates
say the convention was most success
full, and are confident that the move
ment will bear good fruit.
Took Prominent Part.
The Fergus delegates took promi-
nent part in the proceedings from
first to last, and this county was re-
cognized in several ways. The dele
gates feel amply repaid for their jour.
ney and efforts, if for nothing else, in
the information gathered by them,
and which will be useful in bringing
Fergus more prominently before the
state and county.
Work Of Convention.
There was no lack of lively discus
sion among the delegates to the con.
vention. The several articles of the
constitution proposed aroused deal
Of debate, all Of whicn was Of the
friendliest nature, the delegates seem
ingly imbued only with the desire te
get into the document only such things
as would prove Of the greatest ben
eft to the young organization.
When it came to the naming of the
body, there was great diversity OF
opinion apparent. The committee that
drafted the document proposed a ii
tie, which was changed by the com
mittee on permanent organization tC
Montana Development association. =
This was adopted, but the vote was
reconsidered and further objections tc
the name were heard Delegate Mac
Ginniss suggested Montana Improve
ment association Delegate Dono
van objected on the ground that the
name sounded too much like that OF
some fake building association.
Fergus Furnishes the Name.
Senator Miles thought Montana
Business association" ABOUT the cor.
rect thing, while w. B. George de-
clared in favor of Montana Progress
sive association" 1t remained for
Halsey r. Watson, manager of the
Argus to strike the proper chord with
Montana Busipess Mems League"
and the name was adopted with only
one dissenting vote.
Upon the motion of Paul McCor
mick it was decided to give the execu
tive committee authority to fix the
membership fee and annual dues.
Basis Of Representation.
Article three, dealing with the ba
sis of representation, provoked the
greatest discussion. Colonel c. H
BOyntOn offered an amendment to the
article proposed by the committee. but
this was defeated. Thomas A. NARROW
offered plan eliminating all delegates
except such as were members of or
ganizatiOns allied with the state lea
que, giving each subordinate organic
alton one delegate for every fifty mem
bers or less and one for each addi
tional 80 or major fraction thereof
1t was asserted that this would op
crate to throw control Of the conven
tions into the hands of the larger cit
les, but Butte responded that under
the plan proposed that that city would
have only three delegates. Mr.. Mar
lows motion was then adopted.
Later in the day, however, the con
vention came back to this article
when David Hilger declared that al
the next meeting of the league there
would not be more than Is or 20 dele
gates entitled to seats. Butte ant
Helena, he said would have only
about half dozen delegates each
while some of the cross roads town;
would have almost as many. "Where
is the fairness in that?" he asked.
Halsey X. Watson advocated a plan
providing for three delegates instea,
of one as outlined in the original rec
ommendation.
Mr.. kennedy's Plea.
"In Butte" said City Clerk ]. NJ
Kennedy of that city, there was al
idea that this league was 10 be organ
ized in the interest of one town alone
but We fought that idea and We hav;
brought a delegation here. Some O
the most prominent men of the state
are here, all imbued with the idea O
! seeing Montana doomed and put il
her proper place. Proceed on the
| lines indicated in your adoption of {
basis of representation and you viii
find that there will be no scramble
for the next meeting. do earnestl!
hope you will exercise wisdom in fix
| ing upon the number of delegates
| The county commissioner and mayor
represent their counties and cities, an,
| you need not be afraid that they will
take advantage of you If you Civ
them the appointment of certain
number of delegates.
| adopt the article as originally sui
L \ \