The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-04-09
OUR HELENA LETTER.

to select TWO Delegates and alternates TO
the Chicago Convention. The apportion-
mept. given in this issue, was somewhat
difficult to arrive at owing to the Repuoli-
cans not being represented in the last Con-
gressiopal election and no one once serving
as a standard on local tickets. However,
the apportionment seems fair and was
doubtless fully considered. The decision
of the Committee to call Convention Is
right, and, evolved as it was under circum'
stances that, IL any might, would excuse
the Committee for appointing Delegates 1t
should henceforth stand as an established,
inviolable precedent and a sacred, II an un-
written, law Of the party in Montana. AS
adverted 10 before, the granting OF repre-
sentation to the Territories Is not only a
courtesy but a right accorded Terr.toria.
Republicans by the National party, and
from which the National Democratic party,
IL there is such party, carefully and rig
orously excludes its provincial adherents.
As such, as a token Of that larger enfran-
chisement with which citizens of the Ter
ritories should be invested under the Con-
stitution and laws, and which can only be
hoped for under Republican auspices, 1t Is
the duty of the Territories to send its best
representative men, and TO select them by
the fullest process Of representation OF
which the circumstances will admit. The
representation accorded us is the word OF
promise to the ear that our rights as cit
liens of the Republic are recognized as far
as the Republican party can go aud that the
germ will develop into Constitutional
guarantee. 1t is not therefore alone the
question of what aspirant for the candida
cy a certain set of Delegates might favor
or oppose, not alone opposition to centrali-
cation or power. but the fostering OF
principle on which all else hinges in Re-
publican form of government, guaranteed
to the States but 80 far withheld from the
Territories.
The Territorial Convention being called
it rests with the County Committees to de-
termine the method of selecting Delegates
thereto. The Territorial Convention pro-
vides for each county representation in pro-
portion to its Republican vote as adjudged
by latest available data. Even If the Coun-
w Committee shall select the Delegates
each county will have an equitable repre-
sentation, whereas, If the Territorial Com
mittee had selected, Lewis & Clarke would
have had three votes TO the one Of any
other county and the lesser county equal
representation with the greater. Thus one
wrong has been sverted and serious in.
convenience provided against as, should
the selection have been made by Commit
tee, a selection of the Executive Committee
from different counties would inevitably
have been demanded at the next roorgani
cation.
The Lewis & Clarke County Committee
has already called for Primaries and 9
County Convention on the day preceding
the Territorial. This is following out the
principle to its source, but there are prob
ably other counties that will find IL mex
pedient to set all the machinery in motion
and will select by Committee, or Committee
and Mass Convention combined. Lewis q
Clarke, with less territory and fewer pre-
cipcts, experiences less inconvenience from
the method it has adopted than woult
some Others. Beside, for the qualification
of our very harmonious Democratic breth
rem, we may add that 1t being UNDERSTOOD
the Territorial Executive Committee whicl
called the Territorial Convention were 10
Blaine, the County Executive Commute
which was understood to favor Grant gen
erously decided to select Delegates by Pri
maries and Convention. As long as thi
spirit is maintained the opposition nee
not congratulate itself much on divided Re
publican councils, Whenever the Repub
lican party is numerically strong enoug
its candidate for Delegate will "ge
there"
It Is TO be feared the project Of buildin
a Theatre ia Deer Lodge, on the plan prt
posed will have to be postponed for time
Mr.. Harvey, who has been making up est
mates for brick Theatre 1880 feet place
the cost at about $1,000, complete.
would be handsome ediGce, indeed, an
adequate for the town for years, but it
, rather out OF reach of the burg. A revisio
l Of the estimates, which provided for 2O-inc
: walls at sci per NJ laid would reduce I'll
] cost somewhat, but probably not with
t figures those interested would be dispose
, to contribute to the purpose. A Hal
8 specially adapted, with seats placed @
. movable platforms and rising so as to gi'
= all a good stage view, and somewhat b.
y ter adapted for general purposes, 10 bell
o estimated upon and may cost sufficient
8 less sum. The Opera House about TO
l. built here by Mr.. John H. Ming will ha
7, stone walls from the qusrries here and W
% cost about $4,000. Perhaps the be
% thing we can do is to wait until the Pro
d pecting Company strikes Big Bonanza
p the Caribou mountains and millionai
Is miner sees money In an Opera House.
% Travel between Helena is not unpleasa
r. ut this date, but 10 liable to be suspend
il any time. The snowfall is very deep
Is tween the top of the Dog Greek Hills a
ID Sweetland's and on the north side of
q main range. A few days OF sunshine
81 an amorous chinook will render it alm'
l. impossible to get through. In many pla'
DO the snow-track 10 8, 10 and Is feet abe
g. the road for short distances ami from @
g. to three feet deep for miles. There
IN not been SO much snow in the monnta
he for many years. .a.-.a
Of Helena is going to do an enorms
amount of building, but at the present
comparatively quiet, and SO will be M
n Bay Items.
Nv SAN Francisco. April las an earn
be OF the feeling OF the confidence engende