The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-05-07
TEE TERRITORIAL CONVENTION.

to % or 81 to 20 it seems 1t should Lave
been), elected delegates and aliernates to
the National Convention aud adjourned.
The general result was determined, except
that the Blaine majority was lighter than
anticipated, a week or two before tie Con-
vention. The Territorial Convention held
In Deer Lodge in 1876 also declared for
Blaine. His strength is somewhat greater
now, but we regard his chances very litties
II any, better for nomination. Then, We
believe he was the first choice Of the ma
jority of delegates IN the Convention
now, we believe that neither Grant nor
Blaine are the first choice OF either the
delegates or the Republicans OF the Terri
tory. The fight, however, lies between tho
two, and the Convention did a. individuals
have done-expressed their preference as
between the two.
Only two incidents occurred in the Coo
vention calling for Letice. One was the
disposition to defeat the editor 81 the Her.
aid, who desired to be Blaine delegate TO
Chicago, and the other was the inconsistent
action OF the Convention as related to the
admission of county deler ties. 10 Con-
vention largely for Blaine, Capt. r. L.
Fisk, who has done about all the work that
has been done for Blaine in the Territory,
who was bis champion and standard bearer
aud who has earned recognition Of his ser
vices from Mr.. Blaine, was barely elected.
Capt. Fisk was entltled to every Blaine vote
in that Convention and should have had
them. He did valiant service In the cause
aud having borne the brunt Of the battle
should have had the honors Of the victory
unstintingly.
The ruling ont Of the nonresident alter
mates from Custer and the admission of the
resident delegate from Beaverhead will
require some explanation to convince the
party Of good faith. The proceedings
show that Judge Blake and VIM. Thomp-
son were on the Committee on Credentials,
the former being Chairman. Mr.. Thomp-
son appeared ~ delegate from Beaverhead
and as alternate from Madison, These two
gentlemen reported with the majority to
exclude Messrs. DAVIS, Woolman and
Jockey as alternates for Custer county be-
cause they were non-residents thereof, and
reported to admit Mr.. Thompson as alter
nate from Madison and delegate from Bea-
verhead. The report was adopted. Mr..
Thompson could not very well be a resident
of both counties, and both he and Judge
Blake are presumed to have known Of
which county he was a resident. Mr..
Thompson has lived in Virginia City for
many years his family still live there
they have not changed their residence, nor
Is it clear that he has. Judge Blake was,
we believe, osteusibly the only representa-,
tive present from Madison, aud Mr.. Thomp-
son ostensibly the only one present from
Beaverhead. II Mr.. Thompson Is not a
resident of Madison, Judge Blake should
not have reported him as an alternate from
that county. If he is not o resident OF
Beaverhead he should not have reported
himself as delegate from that county, and
Beaverhead would have been as unrepre.
sented as Custer. These gentlemen were
of majority Of the Committee whose re.
port excluded Custer county's representa-
tion, the exclusion Of which and the ad
mission OF Beaverhead considerably
changed the status of the Convention. II
the Blaine men did not have majority
enough to be liberal they should at least
have been just. The action does not com
mend itself as 1t appears on the face, and
the Republican party is entitled to an ex
PLANTATION of how this inconsistent action
occurred and statement whether Mr.. Thonp
son is aresident Of Beaverhead or Mad
ison. 1t Is not less the duty of major
ity TO show that Its achievement was fairly
done than IL is that Of q minority to grace
fully yield. The faith 10 fair play Is the es
sence Of faith inconventions.
The Convention did not rise TO the heigh
Of recording itself in favor of citizens
privileges and rights in the Territories, bu
it should at least not be left in doubt tina
its members were citizens, aud where thei
/" local habitations and homes" were situa
ted. 1t should either be shown that Mr.
Thompson was bona tide resident OF Bea
verhsad or admitted that the exclusion 0
Custer county's representation was incon
sistent and unjust.