The Billings herald. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1882-1885, 1884-01-26
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
"WEDNESDAY, 18TH.

Brown Of Beaverhead was sworn
! in by the cha uman. On motion Of
Mills the pri yileges of the floor
were extended to members and
representatives of the press.
| Under the head resolutions re-
lating to a constitution, Hedges
introduced the following:
BE it Resolved, AS an expression OF
the sense of this convention in recog-
milton of the dignity of iabor-its i'm
portance to individuals in prom otinR
the good. morality and personal inde-
| pendence, it's fundamental impostance
| to the commonwealth rs a source OF
prosperity and security against vice and
crime-that the proper committee shall
engraft in the constitution to be framed
as provision to be enforced by appro-
pirate legislation, that boy, before
! reaching his majority, should learn
some useful trade, art, profession or oc-
cupation whereby he can maintain him
self and family; and that every girl be-
fore reaching the age of eighteen shall
know how to cook, keep house and do
plain sewing.
Referred to committee of three,
consisting of Langhorne, Burleigh,
and Pemberton.
The following resolution was Of
fered by Proctor:
Resolved, That committee of three
be appointed to wait upon the governor
and inform him that the convention is
now in session and ready for business,
and to ascertain from him if he has any
communications to make to this conyen-
ton.
Smith-"I move the resolution
be adopted"
Seconded.
Langhorne-"I would like to in
quire whether the governor has any
veto power?" Laughter.]
The Chair-"I am unable to in
form YOU"
Callaway-''I would like to in
quire of the gentleman from yell
lowstone the object of the resolu-
ton"
Proctor-"Simply as matter of
common courtesy to the executive
of the territory of Montana. That
is all. l don't know whether he
has any communications to make,
or has any right to communicate
to this convention, but through
common decency and courtesy I
introduced the resolution, Mr..
Galloway"
Galloway -" Mr.. President. it
seems, sir, that it is useless for us
to take any action in this conven-
ton that will make of it or of it's
work farce SO far as the cour-
tesies are concerned we have al
ready extended them to the govern
or, ex-governor and others in the
right to seats on the floor of the
convention. Did the legislative
body call us here for the purpose
of cooperating with the executive,
who forms no part of the conven-
ton, but is part of the legislative
branch of the territory? The reso-
luton offered by the gentleman is
preposterous. / do not conceive
that the governor of the territory
has anything more to do with this
convention than has any other citi-
zen. He certainly has no author
ity. He certainly has no veto pow
er. If he desires, or any other cit
izen desires, to address this con-
vention or memorialize it, that adj
dress or memorial, | do not doubt,
will be received by the convention.
AS far as the joint resolution calling
a convention is concerned, the only
official of the territory who is
directly interested in the conven-
ton is the secretary. | am opposed
to that sort of proceeding that will
admit of toadying to officers be-
cause they are officers. l don't
know whether the governor of this
territory is a citizen of the United
States or not, or even of the terri
tory. For all l know he is Just as
liable to be subject of the King of
Italy as q citizen of the territory
of Montana. ! move to lay the
resolution on the table" Zap
plause.]
The question being upon the mo-
ton to table the resolution, the mo-
tion was lost, many of the members
evidently supposing they were
voting on tho passage of the resolu-
ton. /
The question then came upon
the passage of the resolution.
Merriman-"Mr, President, L
would like to insert III that resolu-
ton, in addition to the governor,
the postmaster of this place y
[ [Laughter.]
Callaway-"I second the motion"
Dixon-'l move that this matter
be indefinitely postponed
Seconded and carried.