The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-09-21
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Constitution for Montana, and the forms
and methods TO be observed inselccting Del.
egates, etc. The Convention 10 TO consist OF
forty-fve Delegates, thirty-nlne Of whom are
apportioned TO the several counties and six
TO be elected at large-two from each judicial
district. In this apportionment Deer Lodge
county is entitled TO three Delegates. Each
elector is also entitled TO vote for one Dele.
gate at Large In his judicial district. The
election is to take place Tuesday, November
9th, and the law relating TO general elections
is to govern In voting, canvassing and mai
ing returns. The general election law spdG
fies at shall be the duty Of the Comn1
''sioners Of the several counties at tbe1
irregular session Immediately preceding said
general election, to appoint three discreet
sand capable persons - to act as judges
''of election In each township or precinct,
''etc." The Commissioners Of Deer Lodge
county did this at their regular September
term and the list Of judges was published In
the NEW NORTH. WEST of last week. Wheth.
err other Commissioners have done this, or
whether, II they have failed, the election Is
thereby vitiated, is not known to us. II
there is still time, there Is no time to spare
in setting the machinery In motion for this
election, as only forty days now intervene
before the day designated, and clerks Of the
Boards of County Commissioners are requir-
cd TO notify the judges by mail at least thirty
days before the day named for holding such
election.
There has been much apathy In relation
TO this Convention, and II still exists. There
are various reasons for this: LIST. The fail.
ure of Territories having adequate popula-
ton to secure admission Is damper on the
ambition Of one that has not yet the requi-
site number Of people. We cannot see the
summit of the long uphill ahead. I'd. There
Is some apprehension a. TO the expenses Of
State organization, and the taxation that
may be levied to meet Il. Sd. There do not
appear to be many ambitious politicians
working up the project through the press,
the sentiment appearing TO have obtained
that Maginnis will demand all the offices.
But, despite all these things, the facts remain
that 1t Is the duty of the Commissioners In
each county to provide for the election |;
1t is the duty of each county TO see that it
Is represented In the Convention, and It is
the high privilege Of that body to frame
the organic law of what will be the
State Of Montana. The apathy existing
illustrates to . great degree the diff
ference which we see continually demon
strated between sentiment and action. Ev-
cry one recognizes the necessity of govern
ment from school district or township to the
nation. That is the sentiment. Yet very
maLy do not take part in the effort to secure
good administration Of either. That is the
lack of action. And IL 10 . somewhat re-
markable fact that those who least interest
themselves in securing good government
through the established methods, who stay
away from primaries and polls, are the first
and the most violent In their .censure when
the administration Of affairs does not please
them. This is no exceptional case. 1t is
true provision is made that at the general
election of 1884 the electors of Montana may
ratify or reject the Constitution adopted, but
the first duty is to see that Delegates are sent
who are competent TO devise and honest
enough to adopt Constitution that will be
for the welfare Of Montana If IL 10 adopted
and we are admitted as State under Is.
1t is probably for the best that the day
appears more remote than last winter seemed
probable when this question of admission
must be prepared for. The adoption of q
State Constitution is the most important one
with which Territories have to deal, and its
preparation Is one that requires time and the
best ability Of the people. More than this,
having adopted one, events, examination,
and the experience of others will develop
amendments to 1t that provision should be
made to engraft into 1t before IL Is submitted
to the Congress that will admit us to State
hood. We notice the Dakota Convention
has provided Constitution that appears to
have some excellent features-a limited
number Of officials at moderate salaries and
provision for amending undesirable features
without delay or circumlocution. This
should be provided for antecedept to appli-
cation for admission, and the time interven-
ing between the Convention of next winter
and the submission of the Constitution at
the polls will doubtless result in many de-
fects being found In It. Some method
should be devised by the Convention for re-
jectlng sections Of the Constitution, so that
the instrument may be adopted subject TO an
elimination of Objectionable features by the
electors without rejecting 1t entirely, and
providing for amendment of them by the
succeeding Legislature or another Conven-
ton.
The situation devolves much labor on the
part of Montana Journalists. They are the
opponents and mouldes Of public opinion.
They will get no thanks, and perhaps many
curses, for their labors. but those are the
penalties Of Journalism which 90 In % ele-
ments Of their experience and which they
regard only - they suggest better thought or
new ideas. It Ia time now TO devote atten-
ton to IL and the first object Is to secure the
election of the ablest and best men of the
Territory rs members Of the Convention.
Let us be liberal In this and secure the best
talent and character We can without defam
ing or abusing worthy men who differ with
US politically. There Is no partizanship In .
State Constitution, or If any should be ad-
mitted 1t will be stamped out at the polls.
The question Ii ut issue. It il time for
the Chairmen Of the political parties to give
it heed and at snce inaugurate measures for
the nomination and election of Delegates.
There 10 no provision, save for mileage, to
pay any member, except the president and
secretary. 1t Is duty TO the future State of
Montana they are called upon to perform,
but let IL be shown by the willingness Of our
best citizens TO discharge this duty that their
patriotism is not measured by the paltry
consideration of the "a per day allowed leg
islators. Whoever Is nominated and can A.
ford to devote the time and expense required
for the public welfare should do that much
as citizen toward the consummation of our
great desire-the admission OF our Territory
as one Of the States Of the Union.
A CORRESPONDENT OF the St. Louis Re.
publican claims to have interviewed General
Grant at Lake Minnetonka. General Grant