The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-11-02

We present In this issue letter from Gov
ernor Crosby giving some views in relation
10 what should be the personal composition
Of the constitutional convention, and Its
work. In general these views are irrefuta-
bly, correct and command unqualified appro-
val. But we think the Governor, and we
fear the nominating conventions, are not
laying stress enough upon the idea OF having
quite large element Of able lawyers and
trained controversialists In that body. It Is
not enough that they should be "eminently
clear headed, unselfsh, patriotic, practical
men," A State constitution is the founda-
ton of all laws Of the State. 1t Is not alone
those who with fair intelligence, unfaltering
purpose and pure interest stand to see that
no imperfect material or untrue work shall
be incorporated In II shall be its builders !;
there should be those who by thorough
training for the work, who by study Of and
practical experience with the material know
its merits and defects--men who can bring
from the forest and the quarry the ashlar or
the architrave and to their fellow workmen
proclaim Its fitness for the place. There
should be those who can measure Its extent
and direct Its symmetry. Better that they
should differ and discuss that there may be
determination In view of all the facts, than
that an imperfect stone should be laid I'm.
discovered aud unchallenged. 1t is this ex-
pert, critical, controversial element that we
think has not been sufficiently sought after,
and the necessity for which does not seem to
be sufficiently recognized in the Governors
letter or by the nominating conventions.
The identification Of any particular man
with any particular enterprise Is no objection
in our eyes If he possesses eminent ability.
We're there Q dozen Ben Buffers In Montana
every one Of them should be In the constitu-
tional convention. II the other thirty-three
members could not winnow the grain from
the chat after they threshed, these thirty
three would have no business In the conven-
vention. And, after all, this constitutional
convention meets merely to draft the instru.
ment. The electors of Montana finally vote
on Its adoption after 1t shall have been
printed and discussed for fully nine months.
1t may be urged that we have so many State
constitutions to pattern after that the making
of the constitution of Montana will be large.
ly compilation from the work of Others
but 1t will be something to regret If Mon
tsna does not grapple with issues that have
not been heretofore solved for the highest
welfare Of the people, and step in the sd
vance of the column In organizing q great
State of the Union. We make this com.
ment dpropos to the Governors letter, but
observation of the nominations prior to 1t,
publication had led to the belief that the
nominating conventions were not securing
the services Of enough of our icitizenl
"learned In the law" or representing greal
interests, each Of which should have able ant
trained advocates to speak for them and ex
pound their relations to the public. The
railroad Is we'll as the mineral interests; The
navigation Is well As the agricultural; the
State land IS well as the educational; the
municipal as well as the legislative, execu'
tive and judicial; the corporate as we'll q!
the revenue interests should have, were Il
possible, able specialists to represent then
In oil their varied relations to the common
wealth. Some Of these we apprehend are Oh
will be omitted and the bulk Of work will
fall on q less number than 1t should, and
protract the session, through the failure to
secure In the convention more members Is
pecially adapted for the task they have te
perform. Esd ..
| While referring to this matter, 1t has oc
CURED TO us that under the Resolution thu
convention may, by ordinance, submit alter
natiUe Articles and Sections to the elector.
of the Territory so that the one preferred
may be adopted. This would enable the re
lection Of one or the other without impair
ing the force or completeness Of the instru,
ment.
Again: The difficulty and delay of chang
ing constitution has been suggested. In
view of the frequent instances in which The
practical workings of constitution are a
once found to be imperfect or pernicious
would 1t not be best TO render less difficult
and tedious amendments to the instrument
within year or two succeeding admission as I
State, and then, having perfected 1t after "tht
trial trip" clock the door,"
In conclusion, we thank Governor Crosby
for his psper on the convention. 1t is highly
creditable In the interest manifested In Mon
tana and his advanced views as to govern
ment/ He has formulated in fitting word.
thsSentiments enter tanned by our people.