The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-10-17
THE MONTANA CAMPAIGN.

III TcsiotiuB kiuuiy aCSePsAHSo VI shc EOo"
and good government as established
and maintained by the Republicans Of the
United States. Mr.. Toole's propositions, 50
far as we can learn, are but reiteration OF
the oracular hallueinations Of Tilden, Hen
bricks, ct al, concerning the universal bad
ness OF Republicans and the necessity Of re-
forming things generally by turning the hum
cry brotherhood Of Democracy into the Of
fetal cribs which under Republican admin
is,ratIon have been so we'll filed that that Is
even made cause Of complaint. This, as
all know, is merely moonshine TO light the
way to fat offices. Mr.. Toole handles the
Tariff question as daintily IS did the Nation
al Democratic Convention, finding 1t would
not be popular either in the wool-growing or
copper-producing districts, among either Ia
borers or producers, TO play with free trade
fire. We do not hear of q single new issue
that he makes. Judge Knowles Is ably ad
vocating the principles of his party. The
one general issue that seems to be discussed
by the press is the adoption or rejection Of
the State Constitution-an issue OH which
there has been no political division and In
which the hostility to adoption is principally
expressed by the Husbandmdn which advo-
Gates Its rejection. Its opposition is confined
to one clause, and 1t expresses a desire to
have the entire Constitution rejected simply
because of that, to II, one Objectionable fea-
ture. We venture TO say that II it were con-
coded that clause is a bad one, and a new
Constitution were adopted changing that
particular clause to suit the Husbdndmdn's
objections, it would be incorporated in q
more Objectionable Constitution than that
now before the people. The convention
framing this Constitution was absolutely
free from lobby influences II ever one was in
the world, and there are several provisions
In that instrument for the welfare Of the
State of Montana which we venture to say
would not be carried in any succeeding con-
yentions. We therefore hold that those who
oppose it,and on that ground are disposed to
reject It, are acting rashly and rejecting an
excellent entirety for one supposed flaw, with
the probability Of having sometime to sub.
NIT to one not nearly so good. This may be
a matter they have not given consideration
to. Montana must some day become State
aud If this Constitution Is rejected, condi-
tions may exist under which a much less
worthy Constitution will be framed, ratified
and vitalized. We say his without assum-
ing any superior virtues or abilities for the
members of that body; but In view OF the
fact that IL Is conceded, aside from that one
Objectionable clause, no better Constitution
has been adopted, that no extraneous infu.
ences perverted the deliberations or actions
Of that convention, and that IL this one sim
gle item, objected to by but portion Of the
people, is all the fault that can be found In
all the ample and manifold provisions essen
tial for State Constitution, it must be one
of rare excellence and which should not be
ruthlessly rejected. This view is emphasized
by the fact that for, we believe, ten years,
precisely the same provisions as relates to
mines which are found fault with In this
Constitution have stood In our statutes I'M
challenged by even an attempt to repeal or
amend them and yet that which has been
for ten years accepted and approved by unan-
imous consent as . law Of Montana, is now
the only flaw that Is picked in the Constitu-
ton. Is not the objection inconsistent?
1t is not necessary to discuss the PROPOSE
ton here as contained In the Constitution
further than 70 say the loose general state
ment that II "exempts mines from taxation"
conveys q wrong impression. 1t Las again
been intimated that II IL taxed the net pro-
duct of the mine 1t would be less objection
able. This is precisely what 1t does, as per
the following:
Prorided, That all machinery used In
mining, and all property and surface i'm
proyements, appurtenant TO or upon mining
claims, which have separate and independ-
ent value, the value of the surface ground
embraced In said claims, and the annual net
proceeds of said mining claims, shall be
taxed as provided by law.
This covers everything with taxation but
the labor of mining and reducing the ore.
The mine itself is taxed; not speculatively
upon an unknown quantity, but year by
year, as the ore is taken out, 1t pays on the
net proceeds of that ore. As the machinery
used In hoisting and reducing Is also taxed,
II follows that anything further pould De
tar upon the labor Of naininy and reducing 1t.
The question is raised; Why place this in
the Constitution? Why not leave 1t to stat
utory law? We answer: Would 1t be any
more correct principle In the Laws than In
the Constitution? II IL is wrong enc place
Il would be the other. Placed In the laws
or omitted from them 1t leaves the subject
open to final determination by lobby infu-
ences. Placed in the Constitution 1t cannot
be changed except by submission to the peo-
pie and they are thus made arbiters Of the
question. A Constitutional amendment Is
not the work of night; the adoption or re-
peal of law might be. Even the elimina-
ten of such provision from the Constitu-
ton should be done with the dellberation
and consideration an amendment would re-
auire. But a Constitutional anne ndment is
not an impossible attainment, and 1t will
certainly occur whenever the Legislature
and the electors SO determine.
As to the attitude Of Mr.. Toole on this
subject, It 10 fair to give him the credit OF
honest convictions and earnest opposition to
it-voting, If we recollect Alright, with
majority Of, or at least several, Republicans
against the section. But on the adoption OF
the Constitution as whole, inclusive OF this
section, Mr.. Toole voted for 1t, the only OPP
posing vote being that of Mr.. Waterbury OF
Anaconda. So, then, the opponents OF the
Constitution on that ground are arrayed
against the action Of Mr.. Toole, aud MIR.
Toole,s vote places him on record IS In
favor of the Constitution with that section
included. Further than this, as chairman OF
the committee on the Address, he earnestly
hoped that II would be adopted" by the cleo
tors Of Montana. We do not know Judge
Knowles position, but state the case as
matter Of absolute justice to Mr.. Toole and
that opponents of the Constitution may see
even those opposed TO the section waived
their objection to that particular matter 10
Of the surprising excellence Of
The Constitution rs an entirety.
There may be, doubtless are, many who
will vote against the Constitution on the