The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-01-19

HELENA, January 15-Since the arrival Of
the Councilmen in Helena until last Saturday
the time Of Council has been taken up by III
clustering and dilatory proceedings, the
Democrats refusing to make any move to-
ward organization for the reason that MT
Cox, of Custer, had not yet arrived at the
capital, and refusing to recognize any action
taken by the Republicans. The political
standing of the Council is seven Democrats
to five Republicans, but Mr.. Back, Demo-
cratic member from Choteau and Dawson
counties, has so far seen fit to vote with the
Republicans, and there Is a strong probabili-
ty of Mr.. Cox doing the same thing before
Council adjourns. Up to Saturday morning
no business had been transacted, : Council
adjourning from day to day, but on Saturday
morning upon roll call there were found
present Bass, Back, Cardwell, Chessman,
Cox, Gillette, Stuart, Thomas, White, Nor.
ris, Mitchell, and Witter.s After roll call Mr..
Hamilton, from the joint district of Choteau
and Dawson. asked rwhy his name had not
been called and demanded that he be recog-
nized as member. ~ The chair replied that
read the certificate Mr.. Hamilton presented,
certifying TO his election by the Clerk Of Cho'
teau county. Mr.. II. s. Back, a recognized
and sworn member, Is also from the join,
council district Of Choteau and Dawson, and
comes Into Council with certtfacate from
| the Territorial Auditors Office, owifg that
he has received the highest number of votes
cast In the district, and is therefore entitled
to the seat. Upon motion Of A. mitchell
a committee on credentials was appointed
consisting of Mitchell, witter, and Gillette
and Council adjourned until 2, p. m. At two
| o'clock Council convened with Mitchell anf
Gillette of the committee on credentials ab
sent Mr.. witter requested that Council
grant the committee further time. The re-
quest was complied with, and Council ad
journed until Monday morning At ten o'clock
IL ia probable that the committee on ere
densials will disagree, as tits reported tina
4 two will DO Tor returning in favor Of Bacl
\ and one ii favor Of Hamilton 1t Ii credita
bly, ported here that Hamiltons certificate
OF elcction was not issued until the Goth da.
Of d eeeuber, and was not signed by tn
proper CHEER His certifcate' should hav
been signed ipamediately after the canvass
which took place on the l7th day Of Novem
Der, by John w. Tattan, the clerk 'of tn
county at that time. But - 1t asisIgne'
and issued on the 3oth day Of December b
John 7. Murphy, the present clerk, II y IN
valid and not worth the paper II II write
, on The returning board Of Chsteau county
q shown by Mr.. HaiDi ltons certificate, q
tally ignore the resurns Of Dawson county
! while tho returns In the Territorial rofdc
J show that Back received 6a2 votes In the dii
srict and Hamilton COL, giving Back maje'
, ity Of Al votes and electing him Councilma
for the two counties. All Of the lawyes her
are Of opinion that Hamiltoas lrsrtidcats
invalid and Of no account, and that thcre
no question but thas Back win 6naliy saccss
In retaining his seat, although he nay !
barred Tor some time from exsrcistng h
: right 70 vote.
The deadlock y mot striesly = polincs
fight, hut dght ON Iooalitiss. and unlsas u
) committee on cssdsntlals agrss Or the DsRs
crats succeed In idebarrisg Back Of bis vot'