The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-03-30
NOTARIEs PUBLIC.

We ueuLlOHtu last Wceh luC hoSih@0saoA
that Governor Crosby, with the concurrence
Of the Chief Justice and Attorney General,
held that he had no authority to appoint
notaries public between sessions cited what
the House Judiciary Committee, viz: That
he had such authority under existing law;
mentioned the disadvantages to the public
resulting from the vacation of SO many
notsrial Offices without possibility Of filling
them until another session; cited the question
that might be raised rs to the legality Of the
acts OF no:aries previously so commissioned,
and expressed the opinion that 1t would
have been better had this decision been
made known at an earlier date. Governor
Crosby, in personal note, courteeusly in
forms us that we were mistaken in the state
ment that ssthere were but few notaries
nominated and confirmed al the recent ses-
sion," as she had not only nominated two
hundred and seventeen notaries public, but
to avoid the necessary disappointment and
annoyance that would naturally arise from
the expiration Of many commissions In 1888,
he haG renominated the most OF those whose
commissions would expire prior to 1884,"
This relieves Governor Crosby of any neglect
in the matter wherein we believed he had
been negligent, for we had noticed in the
reports Of Legislative proceedings but one
batch Of a dozen or two notarial appoint
ments and enthusiastically two of which
were for Deer Lodge County. 1t has always
been customary to publish these, and while
we may have overlooked subsequent ap-
pointments, We think they were not pub
lished at the recent session. We think If
the matter had been left to this paper, this
correction would have exonerated Governor
Crosby, but the Herald, with overweening
TO suppose that the House Judiciary Com.
rnittee of the Legislature could be relied
upon in Judgment in antagonism 10 the
opinions of the Executive and the Chief
do not believe in the doctrine of infallibility
The opinion of Chief Justice counts no
more than that of an Associate Justice on
the bench, and Judge Wade's decisions have
been reversed by his Two associates. The
Supreme Court of the United States has re
yersed all of them, and even 1t is not in.
fallible. On the House Judiciary COMMITTEES
were exJudge Blake and Messrs. Fol- bis
Governor Crosby called attention to the as
sumed defect and this committee did not re-
port an amendment. They may have beer
mistaken; or the Governor and Chief Justice
to rely on the judgment" of one, why moi
also of the other? We are not "learned II
the law" Brother Fisk may be. Men some
times speak Dramatically from profound
knowledge; sometimes from superficial faith
Faith is the substance of things hoped for
the evidence Of things not seen." 1t is MOI
! reliable basis of operations in considering
| judicial opinions. Our reference to thi:
Notary Public matter has brought out facts
hithsllU unpublished. 1t isa matter of pub
| lie concern. The Governors official actor
| In this matter has now been fully stated
| Had this been Gone at first there would hav,
| been 10 adverse comment. We are rather
glad we made the comment. Governor Cros
by should be well pleased that any misap
prehension has been cleared up. The public
will be pleased To know that they can hav'
the benefits of Notaries services. The Herald
has had the opportunity to rush TO the de
Tense of Governor Crosby. Everybody ough
to be satisfied If there is no further bust
ness before the meeting 1t will stand ad
| journed. l.