The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-02-16
WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY,

At high noon on Monday the 25th day
of February, 1867, the Legislature of
Montana is ordered to convene at Vir-
ginia city in an extraordinary session for
the sole purpose of so changing the elec-
tion laws :" ITO procide for the election ct
a delegate Ia Congress on as early day as
practicable, as well as for the adoption of
such other alterations and amendments,
as, under the present circumstances of
the Territory and the Nation at large, it
may appear expedient for the Legislature
to enact, and to the most delightful speci-
menofan expensive practical joke contain
ing the above, we find attached the seal of
the Territory, and the name and title
'' THOMAS FRANCIS MEAGHER, Governor
pro tenn. CD Territory ofMontana." The
reception of reliable information that
such proclamation as appeared in
Tuesdays paper would be issued, came
upon the people of Virginia unnexpect-
edly, and astonished some of the Demo
Gratis beyond measure. We have it from
men of that party, in position, that Gen
eral Meagher stated, unsolicited. before
leaving Virginia, that he soouId not con
0eRe an ertr0 session, and it met their
approval. The proclamation, however,
has been issued, the Legislature ordered
to convene, and 1T becomes our duty to
sift the subject and see how much of
wheat, and how much of tares, it con-
tains. ..HH. ...
The proclamation sets forth that, un-
less the said law be amended we shall
remain unrepresented from March to
September. Will the Governor pro tenn.
C) please explain why Governor Smith
is absent from the Territory, if it is not
to represent the interests of the Territory
to Congress. Joint resolution No. s, of
the last session which passed soitsout de
bate. urgently requested Governor Smith
to repair to Washington and apply for
such appropriations and measures as
would benefit the Territory. Among the
objects for which the general govern
ment was memorialized was an increase
of salaries to territorial officers, appro-
priations for public buildings, and the
establishment of postal routes. Congress
has already increased the salaries of
district Judges from g., 800 to $4,000 per
annum. The Legislature asked $150,OO0
for public buildings. Congress grants
two.years of the Internal Revenue which,
at the rate of last year. would furnish
S22S, 900 post routes have been estab-
lished, and the rates viii be reduced I;
a protective mining law granted; and
troops forwarded TO protect the routes of
travel All this has been accomplished
already We think Governor Smith can
secure the few other measures asked
and it may be in place here to state, that.
one of the chief reasons urged for his
appointment to that duty, was the
probability of the Fortieth Congress con-
vening on the 4th of March. The Legis-
lature meets one week prior to the day
on which Congress convenes. Allowing
them that week to amend the law, thir-
" days for the proclamation for an cleo
ton to be published, thirty more days
for the successful candidate TO receive
his credentials. and reach Washington,
and he will probably reach there in some
four or six weeks after they have ad-