Missoula Democrats
An Enthusiastic Meeting Addressed by Major Maginnis and Mr. Bickford.
Missoula, Sept. 5. - [Special to the Independent.] - The first democratic gun of this, the most memorable campaign was fired at Missoula this evening. Yesterday it was announced that Major Martin Maginnis, that chieftain who for more than half a score of years had represented the people of Montana in congress, was to speak to the people of this community this evening upon the issues of the day. The opera house was secured for the occasion, and before the speaker had entered the hall not even standing room could be obtained. Anvils were fired and bonfires were built at the intersection of the principal streets, and unquestionably the largest crowd ever gathered on the streets of Missoula were present on this occasion. The Twenty-fifth Infantry band furnished the music for the occasion. The hall was filled with the elite of the city and many gentlemen were noticed to give up their seats to ladies. Occupying prominent seats among the audience could be seen Judge Hiram Knowles and H. DeWitt, of Butte, and Col. W. F. Sanders, of Helena. Major Maginnis entered the hall amid a round of applause and was introduced to the audience by Hon. W. M. Bickford. In substance Mr. Maginnis said:
"Seventeen years ago, through internal dissension, the democratic party in Montana was overthrown. Sixteen years ago in Deer Lodge county, a citizen of Missoula county, Capt. Higgins, nominated me for delegate to congress. For six successive years I was called upon to lead your hosts and carry your banner to victory. Again I am called upon to be your standard bearer, but no longer the leader of a forlorn hope, but the leader of a united party. The first bill I was able to get through congress was for the relief of the citizens of the Bitter Root valley, and one if not quite the last act of my official life at Washington, was in behalf of your county in securing you a military post located at this point."
The speaker then told why he was a democrat, and said the democratic party was the pioneer of Montana. "When I came to Montana I found Thomas Meagher, that patriot whom I had accompanied with Hancock and others on many a bloody battle-field, occupying the governors chair, and I found men here who in the early of the civil war were strong abolitionists, but who left early In the fight to come to Montana. I say I found such men here denouncing Mr. Meagher as a scoundrel, a rascal, and a traitor."
He arraigned the republican party tor opposing the admission of the territories, and told how the party, not in Washington but in Montana, opposed the admission of the territories. At this juncture the speaker said: "I want to mare some exceptions. Col. Sanders and Col. Hedges, of Helena, each favored the admission of Montana under the Springer bill, or any other bill, but the party at large opposed it." He then discussed briefly the action of the republican party in the Anaconda convention. He said that though the voice of the head of the ticket was that of Thomas C. Power, the hand that moved the string was the long, bony fingers of Col. Sanders. He then discussed at length the record of the republican party in Montana.
Hon. W. Bickford, candidate for associate justice, and Hon. W. J. Stephens, candidate for district judge, also appeared and spoke briefly upon the subjects of the day. The meeting was a very enthusiastic one. Major Maginnis is very popular in Missoula county and made votes for himself and the ticket here to-night.