The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-03-19
COMMITTEE Or CONVENTION r

4
we're beard from. Dir. Irvin, the Herald,
and Capital have had their say. The first
two heartily concur the latter qualities its
consent. Ii is neither held. we believe,
that the action uf the National Convention
W. depend upDn the voice OF Montana, nor
that the D legate selected by the Terri'ori.
al Committee would b other IN identity or
| predictions from the ONE selected by the
| Convention. The demand for Convention
| in based simply on the fundamental priDci-
pies Of representation" as against as
sumed and centralized power. This de-
mana is entitled to respect. 1t is the soul
of our form of government. aud has the
same rights in the lesser things as in the
greater. We protest against the present
| form of Territorial government, not but that
| il is more economical and may be as good,
but that it Is in violence to our rights az
American citizens. We have the same
grievances as of old--taxation without rep
resentation. The Republican party has
taken step in advance and accorded us
political representation in National Con-
vention. We confess it is paradoxical
state Of affairs while we are debarred from
voting for the candidate We have selected,
but it shows the Republican party is in ad-
vance Of the Democratic and is an omen Of
good for th, future. The day IS not far
distant when the Nation will accord citi-
| zens OF Territories voice in national az
fairs. The inconsist ncies are being extrr-
pated from our government. Slavery was
destroyed polygamy is doomed /; political
tyranny will become repulsive. Thus while
in national effect unimportant, Territorial
Republicans treasure the right of represen-
tation accorded them by their party aud
foster this germ that it may grow into the
stalwart tree of political life. In this view
consistency demands adherence to the prin-
ciple in detail as well as in general, and
that the Republicans Of the Territory shall
have a voice in selecting their representa-
ton in the Chicago Convention. 1t has
been suggested that the Territorial Execu-
tive Committee select the Delegate. That
Committee is composed of Mr.. Kinna, Mr..
Davis, and Mr.. Kleinschmidt, all Of Helena.
All other counties but Lewis 81 Clarke are
therefore excluded from voice in this
matter. Again, it is suggested the Terri
torial Committee, composed Of the Execu-
tive Committee aud one member from each
of the other counties, select the Delegate
This relaxes the exclusivsness but it is, OBJ
yiously, not representation in the proper
acceptation Of the term. Lewis g. Clarke
is not entitled to three votes as against one
of Deer Lodge. We polled 2428 votes in
1878 against 352 in Caster and 1850 in Lew
is g. Clarke, Yet they would have four
votes to our one in Committee, and, we be-
lieve, the proxy system, with its many
abuses, is still allowed in Committee.
To obviate these things it is suggested a
Territorial Convention, composed of dele
gates from the several counties in the pro-
portion of Republican votes cast in such
couaties at the election Of 1878. be called to
select delegate to Chicago. That is the
proper method. The objection urged Is that
|
Territorial conventions now, and again later
In the season for nomination Of county of.
ficers and Delegate. The Capital advises
the nomination of candidate for Delegate in
Congress at the time Delegate to Chicago
| is nominated. This would only obyiate the
necessity for q serond Territorial Conven-
ton and is not to be thought of. Under
political rules the Republicans are entitled
to convention after the Democratic, and
there are advantages IN that not TO be re.
| jected. Besides, fIom April to November
IS TOO long a campaign. 1t is impractical
BILE. On the other hand, to run the polite
al machinery from primaries to Territorial
| Convention twice in one season IL burte n
to all except the professional politicians, and
this consideration, we have no doubt, is the
leading uus with those who favcr choice
by the Committee at present. Coupled
with this there il some apathy, and appTe-
hension of more throughout the Territory.
| We see no occasion for any enseuB over
the matter. The Repu bhcan' Of the Ter
ritory are entitled to be heard in selecting
Delegate 20 Chicago. A portion Of them
demand it. The Executive Committee will
doubtless accede to the rights Of all and the
request of many. A Territorial Convention
can be called and the representation there
in apportioned. Then, the county commit
tees of the several counties can, as they may
determine, either call primaries and county
conventions to select delegates, or, the
County Committee and the member Of the
| Territorial Central Committee for the coma
ty can select them. Ia either way repre-
sentative Republicans would be chsssu, and
those who attended the Territorial Conven-
tion would be entitled to cast the full vote
of the county. The Executive Committee
would thus have performed it's duty, and 1t
would rest with the several counties to do
theirs.
Personally, we confess to no interest in
this matter except as the principle involved
is concerned. Of Grant, Blaine and Sher.
man we hope to see neither nominated, and
we might ray here that neither, to our
knowledge, 10 the FIRST choice Of any Re-
publican In Deer Lodge City. We hope to
see E. B. Washburne nominated, but have
no anticipation the Delegate from Montana,
whoever he may be, will have the temeri,y
to go into the Convention for him first
choice. What we have said, therefore, is
merely in the interest OF the Republican
party of Montana and for its harmony, well
fare and success, and We trust it will be 50
received.
THE NORTHERN PACIFIC.