Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1878-04-20
Constitutional Convention.

u so0 SVeutuS VI tuC SiCV1iou VI WV
gates in Washington to tho constitution
d convention, to fully and fairly form
~ opinion as to the sentiment Of the
people upon the question, hence we can
only surmise the wish Of the people up
on the question. The vote of the peo-
pie authorizing the calling of conven
ton, though not large, yet Of tn, votes
cast tho majority was large, and thence
it amounted to full instructions to the
Legislature to make provision for such
. convention and said Legislature full
6lled their trust as we have reason to
believe in good faith. We think the
number Of delegates to be chosen, should
have boon larger in order to have all
classes Of the people and all locations
fully represented. But the question of
economy, which has seemed to enter
largely into the Legislation If Washing
ton, no doubt entered as a reason for
this limited Number. After tho passage
Of the act authorizing the convention,
the press Of Washington with one or two
exceptions hailed the passage of the act
with favor, and we believe that portion
Of the press west Of the Cascades con-
tinued to endorse the policy ur to the
day Of the election Of delegates. The
lvnior, Statesman, Nevs and Gazette
!, east Of the mountains, for sous time ex-
pressed faith aud hope in the couven-
ton. But for some unacoountable rea-
son unknown to US, the few issues be-
fore the election. gave great evidence Of
apathy, and the Statesman 10 its issue
We week before the election counselled
voters to stay away from tho polls. But
The Waterman from the FIRST doubted
the ability Of Washington to maintain a
state government. A short timo before
i 49, .l..A:v. tl.v U,,;vH suunded the
question Of the counties Of Wa'la Walla
and Columbia going to Oregon, aud
strongly intimatcd its sentiment in favor
ofths Oregon annexation. This was
done upon the revival Of the question in
Congress BY Senator Mitchell, Of Ore.
goo. Tho position Of both the editors
Of Union and Statesman havo long
I bssn known A favoring this move, and
% long as there seemed to be hope oil
accomplishing the same, they seemed te
adhere 70 this programme. Whether
this revival Of the question by Mitchell
had anything to do with the course late
!. j pursued BY those journals in relation
10 the Washington state convention, w
are not authorized to say. The oldlav'
for Oregon may have had something Il
do with the question Of state govern
J, mont for Washington. The courtes.
shown BY the Washington Legislature
in embracing North Idaho aud invi,in.
!. ! delegate from here. wecould not he'll
but appreciate. and our position is tina
. which makes Us seek tho state govern
nsnt aud oppose the Topping OF Of tn
counties Of Wall. Walla aud Columbi
- Oregon. Tho Sound people ais
never will consent to this loss Of Wall
Wslla and Columbia counties. No POI
tioa Of Eastern Washington save thes
two counties will ever give their conser
70 this loss. and unless there has been
very great change in public sentimer
Of those two counties during the La
two yesrs, no: one-dtth Of the people ,
those two eousties will ever consent
going to Oregon, so long as there is HOY
Of Washington becoming a state With
the uext twenty years. sBasing our 9
Inmates upon what We know OF the Sc,
timent OF the people IN those two coul
s4tiss, when the question was mooted
1873 and IA, We are safe in saying tb
not onstsnth Of tho people wantedth,
70 80 to Oregon under any circumsta
60 and conditions. aud so far as
know the question hasnot been public
;sgitatsd since that time, SO ss to G
forth an expression, and yet to ia
4 nas Is does not seem thst the ebjectiu
hesly urged to the convention by !,
al Waila Walla press have been such as
- taraish reasonable grounds for I