The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-01-19
AMONG THE LAWMAKERS.
Say ings and Doings Of the soions and Others

Sayings and Doings of the soions and Others
lie isiative Correspondence Ner North Vest.
HELENA, January l3.-To-'lay ended one
weeks work 10 the Council, which has been
barren Of results. Until to-day there has
been no quorum, but to-day there was one
more member than the law allows. The ex-
ira member however, was not allowed vote.
/ refer to Hamilton, who Is here to contest
with Back for the seat as member from Cho-
teau and Dawson Joint CouRcil district.
Some little time before 10 o'clock this morn
ing, the hour set for meeting, all the regular
members of the Council, and also both con-
testants, were In their seats. The roll, made
up from leaf Of the Auditors report, was
called, Backs name with the rest At the
conclusion, Hamilton arose in his seat and
asked why his name was omitted from the
roll call. He held folded document n his
hand which, he went on to state, was bis au-
thority for being there. This certificate, he
said, had been issued to him By q board Of
canvassers duly authorized by law to pass on
the vote for Councilman in his district. At
this point he was checked by President
White, who had been cycling him in sur
prised manner though this was the first
intimation he had received Of there being
contestant for Backs seat. He sharply in
formed Hamilton that he was not entitled to
a voice in the deliberations Of the Council
at least until some action had been taken in
the case. Hamilton then stepped forward to
the Clerks desk, placed his credentials on 1t
and asked that they be read. The Chair re-
fused.
Judge Conger, Of the Supreme Court was
summoned 20 swear in the new batch Of
Councilmen, Back and the five Republicans
having taken the oath on Monday. Hamil-
ton came forward with the other Democratic
members to be sworn in, but by order Of the
Chair went back to his seat. The six regu-
lar Democrats then took the oath. This is
generally regarded BY parliamentarians IS
very grave mistake for them to make. Un-
der the circumstances 1t is thought they
ought to have stood pat and refused to be
sworn In without Hamilton. 1t Is well
known that they intend to stay with him till
the last dog dies, and their action in taking
the oath without Hamilton Is regarded as
giving point to the enemy. This, Of course,
is the way 1t is looked at from Democratic
standpoint. Several Democrats indeed have
baen heard to express the opinion that the
proper thing for the Democratic Couucilmen
| to have done was to meet independently Of
the Republicans, and In another hail. II nee
essary, and there organize, and admit Ham
ilton, thus giving them a quorum; then 10
| notify Secretary McCutcheon that they were
| Tor hpo nd H.ct rah ha NJ
| Council chamber. Thai seems q pretty wild
scheme, but it would probably have resulted
as we'll the action they did take There is
| little hope, unless the Ham;ltonians decide
to yield, which is hardly possible, for any
thing but speech-making to be done In the
| Council for some time to come. Several
votes ttie) taken to-day show how the MEM
hers stand on questions of any importance.
| Back in all cases voted with the Republi-
| cans
| With regard to Back, he is a man of con-
siderable ability in skirmishing debate, and
aside from Cox seems to be the readiest talk
er in the Council.
| Cox, rs Is pretty well known, Is man OF
| a good deal of force and he says things just
as If he meant them. He has much personal
magnetism, is a bright speaker, and will
doubtless make q good deal Of fun for the
lobby during the session, as well as make
some of his opponents squirm. 1t Is rumored
that Coxs opposition has a point on him
touching his eligibility, and that IL will be
sprung on him this week.
Hamilton is in good heart and thinks. he
will eventually "get there" His constitu-
ents in Choteau county will stick to him, and
are confident that they can get away with
Back in court They claim, 1t Is learned,
that "Bock" was credited with more votes
than there were in his whole
county These statements have nj
been carried to Backs ears, bat he goes on a
unconcernedly rs you please, votes with tht
Republicans when the Council is In session
and runs with them when on the streets. HI
has never been regularly admitted as mem
Der, but was present when temporary. OF
gauization was effected, and asthere was nj
objection, voted. He has been voting eve
since, and has SO formed the habit that i
will be difficult to break him of 1t. don
think the Democrats can do 1t, and am yer!
sure the Republicans will not try to. Hamii
toms only hope Is for Providence to step in
and Providence, you know, has got cut o
the habit of doing much for Democrats.
A committee on credentials, consisting
Mitchell, Witter and Gillette, is now consid
ering the respective rights Of the contestants
1t is easy to guess whom the majority repor
will favor, and whom the minority will favor
But tie vote will of course prevent tn
adoption Of either.