The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-01-12
AMONG THE LAWMAKERS,
Sayings and Doings Of the soions and 9th
lie isiatire Correspondence Nan NORTH West
HELENA Iauuary a 1880

lie istatfre Correspondence Nse Norn-West
HELENA. January 6, 1882
Well, the ball has opened, but the Demo-
Gratis are coquett.ng and practically nothing
has been accomplished by this, the first days
session Of the Thirteenth Legislative Assem-
bly, OF Montana. The fact Is that there Is n
hitch In the Council, where the Democrats
are waiting to get the "dead immortal cinch"
THAT Is not very choice expression, but 1
heard legislator use 1t to-day and conse-
quently 1t must suit the CASEY, and will not
put in an appearance until they do get it.
As stated above the Democrats Of the
Council are holding back, and for this day,
at least, have DISTRACTED legislation. Prompt
ly at the hour of noon the five Republican
members took their seats in the Council
chamber, ready for business. II. 8. Back,
the Mahonistic Independent Democratic
member claiming to represent the joint
Council district of Choteau and Dawson (his
home is In Dawson) was also on hand. But
not q single straight, out and out Democrat
stuck his nose inside the door. Hon. H. r.
Comfy, Chief Clerk of the last Council, was
present for the purpose of calling the Coun-
Gil to order and putting motions while effect
ing temporary Organi cation, but as there
was not quorum, Harry made few remarks
to the effect that hs didn't intend to have
anything farther to do with the affair, and
the members present might do as they
pleased-and he walked out with the air of
man who had found himself in disagreeablc
predicament but had got away with 1t grace
| fully. The members proceeded to "do rs
! fhav plaasaH hvta al tina n;car Iao
given in another column).
For Doorkceper Jerry Robinson was placed
in nomination but AZ the nomination Came
from Republican, Jerry, who was in the
| lobby, rose in virtuous Indignation and made
| a redhot Democratic speech, in which he
| avowed his - allegiance TO the timc-honored
| princ Piles Of Democracy" etc., and declined
| which Colonel Sa riders remarked in stage
whisper was directly opposed to the time.
| honorsd principles of Democracy. rs Dem
ocrat never declines anything As the Coun-
ell had now gone az far as it could without
quorum, a recess WAS taken until 3p. IN, mt
which hour il reassembled. Still no Demo-
Gratis. Recess was again taken, this time
with considerable disgust, until p. m
Again 1t assembled and again were the
| Democrats conspicuous by their absence.
The Council then adjourned for the day, the
Sergeantat-Arms being instructed to hunt
up the absentees and kindly invite them to
call around at 1910 Tuesday morning, as the
! Council desired to see them on a little busi-
| ness.
| Now you are Of course anxious to know
what these tried and true Democrats were up
to. willtell you. They didn't have enough
votes to feel sure Of the dead immortal
cinch." That'siwhat's the matter. They had
, FIVE sure votes and the Republicans a like
number. Then there was Mr.. Back, the un-
certain quantity. Mr.. Cox Of Custer, IA
| Democrat had not yet arrived, but was ex-
pected by the next coach. Sc they were de-
termined to await his arrival. There was
another interesting phase Of the question
| Back had no certificate. He had received the
| largest number of votes In his joint district,
but the canvassing board in Choteau county
| that county, from its seniority, having the
right to count the vote of both for Council
man) found an error in the returns Backs
name being spelled Bock), and refused to
credit him with single vote. It's possible
there might have been little sptework in
this to pay Dawson back for outgeneraling
Choteau. To insure the chance OF electing
Councilman from their own county, the
| DawsSnites had placed Backs name on both
| tickets-Independen Republican and indie
pendent Democrat-and as a consequence he
received the whole vote of the county. On
| the other hand Choteau had two candidates,
straight Republican and straight Democrat.
| AL Hamilton, the Democratic candidate, al
though bucking against Republican in his
own county, came within forty odd votes of
Back with his whole county of Dawson be-
hind him As stated above, the Choteau
county canvassing board refused, on account
| of an error, to credit Back with asingle vote,
but sent word to County Clerk Tingley, of
| Dawson, to correct the returns and send them
on again. Tingley sent back word that they
might go 10 the devil They didn't 60, how
ever, but issued n certificate to Hamilton. He
| is now here with his certificate, while Back
| Is here without one. The latter Is confident,
| however, Of getting his seat. OILS Hamilton.
| A contest is of course inevitable, and 1t is
likely to be lively one. 1t is understood to
night that the absent Mr.. Cox will stand in
with Back and that the FIVE Republican
members will do the same because he Is not
a thoroughbred Democrat-which of course
IL a point in his favor. If Back should be
STATED by such means, he will doubtless act
with the Republicans, in which case fun may
be cxpected, as It would make six against
six.
IOur correspondent here gives an extended
account of the House organization, which
being anticipated by the formal report is
omitted.1
There has never before been such horde
of seekers after the small Offices and clerk
ships. There are fully forty men who are
anxious to get the place of fireman, either IN
Council or House, some twenty boys hungry
for the Office OF page, as many more aspiri ng
sergeants-at-arms, while for the digni fed
position of chief clerk there are only three
or four applicants. And all these people feel
aggrieved because the Legislature does not
organize at once and relieve them of the
trouble and expense of rustling with the
members and setting 'em up"
| HELENA, January ., 1888.
The Council is the same scene of inactivity
as on the first tthe previous) day. Cox did
not arrive Monday night as expected, anu
consequently the Democrats have not been
able to hold a full caucus and decide what to
do with Back. This has caused them, as q
matter ofpolicy, to keep away from the Coun-
ell. The temporary Sergeant-at-arms has
been sent on several times TO bring in the
absentees, but so far has not succeeded in
weaving them from their secluslon. 1t Is a
safe bet, that if Cox should las they hardly
dare to hope) stand in with the straight DEM
ocrats, Dr. Mitchell will be elected President
oil the Council, But II he should, (as they
fear side with Back, the very devil will be
to pay. 1t would Lot be matter OF much
surprise if Back, from his position rs not be-
ing bound TO either party should demand the
Presidency Of the Council as the price Of his
vote, as, If he should be admitted, he could
either give the control to the Democrats, or
vote with the Republicans and produce a