The Helena Independent

READY FOR GREAT FALLS
Politicians From Other Counties Meet Here to Finish the Slate for To-Morrow.
"Looks as Though Rickards Would Be Nominated for Governor."
The Majority of Present State Officers Will Probably Be Renominated Without Opposition.

The advance guard of the delegates from outside districts arrived in Helena last evening and will go to Great Falls on the train this morning. They came to Helena for two reasons, First, because it is the best town in Montana to visit for a good time, and secondly, because it is here that the final touches are placed on the slate. The west side was well represented. At The Helena are Mayor Mantle, Gen. Charles A. Warren, George W. Irvin, Editor John B. Reed, of Butte, and ex-Governor White, of Dillon. Paul McCormick, of Junction City, who is on the anxious seat of state treasurer, is also in town and it is understood that his candidacy is favored by Commodore Power. Ex-Mayor J. M. Keith, of Missoula is in town along with Mayor Frank Higgins. They will remain over to-day to see the Maroons put the finishing touches on the Missoulians. A. B. Cook is working every minute to get away with the nomination for state auditor, and his chances are growing much brighter.

The visitors passed a good part of last evening at the Montana club, where they met their brethren of the local republican cohort. The remainder of the Butte delegation will go through to Great Falls to-day and will be joined here by the local leaders.

It looks very much as though Rickards would get away with the nomination without very great difficulty unless new complications should arise. The Butte delegation is solid for him, and they claim that the west side delegations will be with them with the possible exception of Madison county, which will vote for Hickman if his name is presented. The Lewis and Clarke delegation is likely to be divided, but Rickards will have at least one-half of them and very likely more. The republican machine seems to be working very smoothly and as usual, the other delegations will follow when Lewis and Clarke and Silver Bow lead.

The Inter Mountain's nomination of Col. Botkin for lieutenant governor is taking shape. A Butte leader said last evening that the Silver Bow delegation would vote solid for him and that other west side delegations would fall in line. If the nomination should come to Lewis and Clarke Hon. T. H. Kleinschmidt will be a candidate and the delegation from this county will again be split.

There is an evident disposition to renominate the old state officers. Secretary of State Rotwitt, Chief Justice Blake, Attorney General Haskell will be renominated without opposition. Ben Webster, who has been making a still hunt, will give W. J. Kennedy some opposition for the supreme court clerkship nomination. Auditor Kinney's chances are not so good. It would not surprise anyone to see Treasurer Hickman secure that nomination and Chas. S. Wright, of Livingston, nominated for treasurer.

The officers of the convention have not been decided upon but it is generally believed that the business will be finished without any trouble unless Mantle's white-winged doves should reappear.