The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-02-05
Ihs Territorial Eatsrprise, Gcrsrnor Ashley.
and the Heut1na Lexidature

SuleH, AoT LniAulOus Aonders, could scarcely
be equsled. The subject of Montana politics
seems to be q favorite one with that paper. but
thus far it has only succeeded in denonstra.-
ing Its utter ignorance Of any real knowledge
On the subject. The Enterprise appears to be
second-kand reflector of the Montana Her
old, whose prejudices are accepted as facts,
and whose slanderous falsehoods are '.disbed
up" in this State in utter disregard for truth
or decency.
Its last effort was directed against the mem
bers Of the late Legislature of Moutana-as
far as the Enterprise is concerned, apparently
for no other reason than that a majority of the
members were Democrats. We are told by
this doughty exponent of Storey county NOR
ais, that both houses were composed largely
Of bush-vhackers from Arkansas and Mis-
SCUM" and that "four-ffths of the members
were hiGhwaymen and cattle thieves" This
will undoubtedly be news to the people of
Montana. They will appreciate the value of
the old saying, You must go away from home
to learn what is going on at home" What
does the Enterprise know about the personal
history Of these Legislators? Was its editor
with them when they we're ''bushxhackipo in
Arkansas and Missouri Did he accompany
them on the highway, or on any cattle-s,eaI.
ing expedition: If he did, then he is author
lied to speak Of them in that style; but if not,
he can only be viewed by all fair or honest
men as a scurrilous falsifer and slanderer.
We speak whereof we know, when we saw
that the Territory Of Montana is SURPASSED by
no community in the United States for inteIIi.
gence and honesty of purpose. They are not
the soH OF men who elect highwaymen or cat
ue-thieVes to the legislature. More of them
have been elected to high position on the
trees Of that country than to make its laws
which Is the worst that can be said Of them
From the organization of the Territory. the
legislators have been distinguished for talent,
Patnotism and public spirit. With few e1cep-
lions, such as are incident to every com1nu-
nity' the members have been fair representa-
hVes OF the character Of the people, and We
have seen no reason to doubt that the last was
inferior in sagacity or patriotism to any pre-
NOUS sessions in that Territory, or 10 any
legislatures of this State. That those people or
their representatives do not live within sight of
Mount Davidson, is no reason why they should
be thieves or bushwhackers; nor have We vet
learned that it is a crime TO be born in Arkan-
sas or Missouri.
The Enterprise shows itself as ignorant Of
the acts, as 1t is Of the composition of the
Legislature. We are told that ''aH the Tern.
toriAl Offices were declared vacant by the Su-
preme Court" How many were all? Jus:
two the Auditor and Treasurer-ofices Gre
ated, not by Congress, as the Enterprise sup
poses, but by the Territorial Legislature. The
SUPPLEMENTARY of Schools was merely an
APpendage. The Organic Act requires the
Council to confirm the Governors appoint
ments to those offices. That body did no
more than what it was authorized TO do, in re-
jecting twenty, or any other number of nomi-
nations. 1t has the same right and authority
to reject that Governor Ashley had TO nominate.
If the Enterprise thinks otherwise, it had bet
ter give the United States Senate q few lessons
to govern its behavior when nominations
come before it for confirmation. II Ash
ley chose, for his own purposes, to make as
many Radical nominations as possible, men
selected for the known fact that they were obi
Gus and would be rejected, was that any reason
why the Democratic Council should ratify /?
What show would Democratic nominee have
to get through the Radical Senate THE United
States If it is not n crime to reject in Wash
ington, how does it become such in Montana {?
While dilating on the subject Of outrnges
how is II that the Enterprise has nothing to
say respecting the supreme outrage Of all,
committed by the drunken Supreme Judges of
the Territory. Because the Legislature and
most Of the county officials throughout the
Territory were opposed to them, politically,
they declared the election law defective, the
election void. and many Offices vacant. This
law had been in force four years, and under
1t several legislatures had been elected. This
Inv was good enough 10 long rs Republicans
were elected under it. bnt void when it suited
tho base purposes Of Federal officials TO declare
1t 30. An INSCRIPTIONS Governor, plotting
with obsequious Judges. who are his plant
tools, set aside all Law in the Territory and
rode. rough-shod.. over the people; but the
Enterprise has not o word to say.
This difficulty can be explained in few
words. Ashley has been removed by the
President for alleged utilization with the De-
mocracy. Tho nomination of his successor
is still pending. II becomes necessary 10 for
tfy his written circumstances by his acts. II
no could engage in an apparent quarrel and
struggle with Democratic legislature he
might save his political reputation at WISH