Changes

Montana's political life in the 1890s was characterized by stalemate, uncompromising parochial demands, personal animosity, and corruption as local communities fought over the prizes of statehood. The major prize, the state capital, was won by Helena after a campaign featuring class and community antagonism, racist rhetoric, personal attacks, and vote buying. In the interests of local power brokers, the legislature created several units of higher education instead of establishing a consolidated university. The battles over the spoils of statehood created a pattern of cynicism and parochialism that continues to influence the state's political life.<ref>William L. Lang, "Spoils of Statehood: Montana Communities in Conflict, 1888-1894." ''Montana: the Magazine of Western History'' 1987 37(4): 34-45</ref>

Montana's political life in the 1890s was characterized by stalemate, uncompromising parochial demands, personal animosity, and corruption as local communities fought over the prizes of statehood. The major prize, the state capital, was won by Helena after a campaign featuring class and community antagonism, racist rhetoric, personal attacks, and vote buying. In the interests of local power brokers, the legislature created several units of higher education instead of establishing a consolidated university. The battles over the spoils of statehood created a pattern of cynicism and parochialism that continues to influence the state's political life.<ref>William L. Lang, "Spoils of Statehood: Montana Communities in Conflict, 1888-1894." ''Montana: the Magazine of Western History'' 1987 37(4): 34-45</ref>

===Law and order===

===Law and order===

In 2005 Lee overextended itself by borrowing $1.5 billion to buy other papers, especially the biggest St. Louis newspaper.  With the [[Recession of 2008]] came drastic cutbacks in advertising revenue, and Lee is struggling to pay off its loans and is cutting staff.<ref>John T. McNay, "Breaking the Copper Collar: Press Freedom, Professionalization and the History of Montana Journalism." ''American Journalism'' 2008 25(1): 99-123</ref>

In 2005 Lee overextended itself by borrowing $1.5 billion to buy other papers, especially the biggest St. Louis newspaper.  With the [[Recession of 2008]] came drastic cutbacks in advertising revenue, and Lee is struggling to pay off its loans and is cutting staff.<ref>John T. McNay, "Breaking the Copper Collar: Press Freedom, Professionalization and the History of Montana Journalism." ''American Journalism'' 2008 25(1): 99-123</ref>

===Notable people from Montana===

===Statewide===

==Notable people from Montana==

*[[Burton K. Wheeler]], Democratic Senator; fought FDR on Court packing; isolationist

*[[Burton K. Wheeler]], Democratic Senator; fought FDR on Court packing; isolationist

*[[Mike Mansfield]], leader of Democrats in Senate, 1961–77

*[[Mike Mansfield]], leader of Democrats in Senate, 1961–77