The Sidney herald., 1955-08-18

1t is my observation that the
present interim committees are
: undertaking their assignment
l with a resolve to keep an open
mind and to defer conclusions IN
til all pertinent information has
been obtained and analysed. With
) such an approach there is everv
reason to believe that the recon-
mendations to the 1857 legislature
will be the result of comprehen-
slve and Unbiased study.
> = =
A sight that made state capi-
tol personnel and the people of
Helena heartsick was a bulIdozer
uprooting trees and shrubs on the
capitol grounds to make room for
a driveway to the front entrance
OF the building. Rows of venerable
lIlacs, a stately linden and other
trees that for years had been ex-
banding their beauty were gouged
out by the blade.
It was a sight 1 wish I had
been spared, but I happened to be
at the capitol that day. For me if
was particularly a wistful exper-
fence, as I was born and grew IN
near the capitol and had e e the
grounds develop to the attractive
ness which now has been married
for the sake of a motor road
which it does not seem to me will
serve any really useful purpose.
The board of examiners. i'm
plementing a legislative directive
IN the form of an appropriation.
recently awarded a contract for
this destructive Improvement"
In discussing the matter with
one of the board members few
years ago, I got the implied I'M
derstanding that the big spruce
trees - at least all but mavbe
one would be spared. And vet.
seeing the bulldozer tearing along
on Its ruthless route, 1 wonder
what would be spared if the plan
ners only had a few more thou
sands of dollars with which to
'modernize" the grounds which
have made Montana's state CAPT.
grounds widely reputed for
beauty.
The front entrance driveway is
aot going to solve the traffic
problem nor the parking prob
en-. 1 think it will solve nothing.
As n whose sentimental attach
nent to the state capitol and its
premises goes back to when the
original building was erected.
eel that this Improvement"
project is a most regrettable mis-
axe.
On a recent hot afternoon a
companion and I drove out from
to Bannack, site of the gold
discovery in 1862 which brought a
urge of population, good and
'ad, to the gulches of what is now
outhwestern Montana. When
1ontana, through a proclamation
lgned by President Lincoln. be-
anne a territory in May 1864.
5annack became the first capitol
Bannack, which had crumbled
nto a ghost town, is now a state
ark under supervision of the
tate park commission. If I am
DIRECTLY informed, the program
5 to preserve the buildings that
till remain, rather than under
axe any extensive project of res
oration. Even SO, there is much
} be done.
Although over the years had
more than a little about
.annack, especially athe political
Implications that obtrude from
turbulent past, I must con-
9ss that this was my first visit
} Montana's first territorial cap
1t impressed me particular
to be in the building where
lie first legislature met in De-
9mber 1864. I tried to visualize
lie men who comprised that law
.aklng body. No volume of Mon
ma historic interest is of great
T interest than what is known
the Bannack codes, the enact
entS Of the first territorial leg
lature. Here is the story of the
ginning of government in what
as to become a great common
In the neutrality-suspicious. pre-
acts Of the Bannack of TODAY.
seemed to me that history is
t SO much the remnants and
lies of the past as it is the still
ident impact of men on their
nes.
What l am sure will be a valu-
lie reference book on Montana.
. of fascinating and informa-
e interest, has been compiled
Ralph E. Ownings of Hamilton
anticipated publication this
ar.
Montana Directory of Public
fairs, 1864 = 1855" will, accord
to the prospectus, contain a
alth of material that should be
every Montana public library
school in the state and
where else where Montana
.wers r required.
Montana Directory of Public
priced at S., is being
5ributed by the Hamilton
-erlcan Legion post as agent.