The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-01-18
THE CONSTITUTIONAL coSvEsrIos.
Editoria, Correspondence.

convention assembled promptly al IL M
Monday, Jan. 18th. Contrary TO general ex-
pcctation there was large representation,
thirty-eight of the forty five members elected
being present the first day. The committee
on credentials reported as members all those
who had been elected, and the report was
adopted without the question of ineligibility
being raised in any case. Mr.. Hunt, Col
lector Of Customs at Fort Shaw; Mr.. Med
States; Mr.. Waterbury, who has not resided
the required time in Deer Lodge county, and
Mr.. Mallory, who was a member Of the Leg.
islaiive assembly creating the convention,
were all pronounced members by the con-
ventIon itself, and that settles IL. There
was no contest made in any case, and no
member was disposed to initiate opposition
to the report Of the committee. The mis-.
| fortune under the circumstances is, that able,
! experienced. useful and eminent men, like
Marshal A. c. Botkin and DR.. A. Ii. Mitchell,
/! who would have appreciated the privilege Of
! being members of the body, withdrew from
the campaign. They conscientiOusly be-
| lieved themselves ineligible, but had they
been elected, would have been admitted.
Perhaps time will work them compensation.
The convention is In its personnel one that
Montana has no cause TO be ashamed Of. IL
fairly and wor.hily represents Montana.
of whose names from the roll is a constant
regret. | may instance as Republicans,
among these, Sanders, Knowles and O'Ban-
non, each In his sphere almost essential and
certainly most desirable.
The organization of the convention,wa
effected without delay, having been com
peted this evening. w. 4. Clark, Esq, of
Silver Bow, was elected President. The
Democrats caucussed on the question, and
it is understood the vote for several ballots
stood: Clark, IA; Langhorne, of Gallatin, 0;
Collins, of ChoteSu, 2. While either of the
gentlemen would have worthily filed the
position, behave the selection of Mr.. Clark
was a happy one in all respects, and the West
Side accepts the compliment of his election
with confidence that, while worthily wear
ing the high honor conferred upon him, he
will prove an able and fair presiding officer.
He accepted the preferment in handsome
little extemporaneous speech that was re-
ceiVed with marked appreciation.
Incidental to the organization a remark
coming from the Republican side, was, be-
lieve, under q Misrepresentation of its pur-
port, construed or miscoDstrued to suggest
partzan action. he Democratic caucus
thereupon reconcileu itself TO the conclusion
that as the Democrats were as two TO the
Republicans one, the former should take all
the offices. Technically, the Republicans
had hoisted their colors first, and being In
for 1t, determined TO abide the consequences
aud treat the case, as the physicians say,
"symptomatcally. The Democrats elected
the President and Secretary. The writer In
the meantime following the method pre-
scribed by the Dean of the Faculty of Re
publican Surgeons, received scratch from
the political scalpel that may prove a case Of
blood poisoning. Such is life in the alti-
tudinous West.
This afternoon the convention, which had
been awaiting reports from the committees
Oh rules aud subordinate officers, skirmished
two or three hours on the number and pay
of the latter, the Republicans generally con-
testing for fewer officers and smaller sala-
ries, and the Democrats for more officers aud
larger salaries, as reported by their COM
mittee. Finally, after considerable good
baG been done, both sides wearied Of the
fray, spirit of mutual concession came with
the shades of evening, business was put
through considerably but rapidly, aud be-
lieve the party lines were coiled up and hung
on the spar deck. As stated before, be-
lieve it was under an entire misapprehen-
sion that any partizan action occurred.
After 1t was ended, with the single excep-
ton that the assistant secretary should have
been secretary, the organization resulted
more nearly non-partizan than any one
would have anticipated before the meeting
of the convention.
The only thing that developed which
causes apprehension, was the advocacy Of
numerous Offices and high salaries. ! trust
It was more the indispositioh Of hot blood
10 yield than the expression Of deliberate
policy. The people of Montana have not
yet declared for Statehood, and unless they
can see, and see clearly, that the constitution
provides for State government that can be
maintained without entaling Cumbersome
taxation, they will reject the work Of this
convention and set the day years ahead when
they will even ask to be admitted; and
largely will this matter be judged by the
expenses of this convention. If we wish
that our labors shall have been useless, If
we desire that the cost Of this convention
shall have been squandered, If we wish TO
see put far away in the future by the action
of our own people the contamination OF
Statehood, we have only TO submit q consti
tuition that opens the doors TO possibility
of extravaganza or threatens the incum-
brance Of dangerous debt.
But while confessing the record Of to-day
is less assuring than 1t should be, believe
IL is the purpose of the members of the con-
vention 10 frame such a constitution as Of Its
inherent merits will commend itself to ap-
prevail in every particular. In thus pre-
judging the work may be mistaken, but IL
is an impression obtained and well impressed
by conversation with leading members on
the more important issues, and the general
views entertained.
1t is probable the standing committees
will be announced and the work apportioned
TO them within the next two days. Then
there will be lull Of several days in the
public sessions, while committees are form
ulating the provisions Of the constitution.
Succeeding this, ten days should be sufficient
to finish the work. 1t Is not anticipated the
session will exceed thee weeks In all. Pray
for us. M
HELENA, Jan. 16.-There was not much |
done in the Convention to-day. The Presl-
dent stated that he expected TO announce
tomorrow the standing committees. The
work will then be spportioned, and probably |
II