, 1885-10-21
THE LEoIsLArrvE question.

TuE LEADER has taken considerable
pains 10 obtain the views of representative
men in all sections Of Wyoming regarding
the status of the Legislative assembly
chosen a year ago, and whose official term
commences in January next. The opinion
seems to be general that, while the legis-
laturc was chosen by the people in accord
ance with law. as all former legislatures
have been, the failure Of the executive of
the territory to take the necessary prelim-
mary steps by making an apportionment
or dividing the territory into council and
representative districts, has raised n ques-
ton as to the legality of any legislation
that may be enacted by this legislature,
which makes it desirable, if not impera-
tive, to await congressional action to help
us out of the difficulty. 1t will therefore
be necessary for our delegate in congress
to apply to that body for relief. Two
measures have been proposed, one au-
thorizing n new election, and the other an
act legalizing the election of the legisla-
tive assembly. Both these measures will
have their supporters, who will appear
before the congressional committees when
congress convenes. In fact, these two
propositions were advocated before con-
gress last spring, Just before adjournment,
Delegate Post iavoring a new election and
Delegate elect Carey supporting Il bill
legalizing the Legislature chosen. BY this
course the question was made a political
one, and the two houses of congress, being
politically opposed to each other, agreed
to disagree, and no measure of relief was
passed. 1t is now generally admitted by
all parties that this contention on the part
Of our people and their representatives was
ill-adyised, and that Mr.. Posts plan for a
new election should have been adopted and
advocated before congress.
However, i; is of but little use to
lament over past errors we should try to
profit by them and prepare for the future.
The question arises, what shall be done to
save Wyoming from endless litigation by
the enactment of legislation which may
be pronounced illegal on account of the
failure of the governor to do his duty?
Shall we ask congress to legalize the
election of our LEGISLATURE viii congress
be likely to do this, when II far better way
IL open to our national law makers2 Con-
gress will certainly prefer to relegate this
matter to the people of Wyoming, and
tell them to elect another legislature
which shall be duly apportioned among all
the people .and the different counties of
the territory. Does it not strike our
readers that this is the fairest and best
course ont of the difficulty This plan,
if adopted, certainly does no injury to
anyone, avoids all litigation and gives all
the people of this territory fair represent
tation in the Legislative assembly. We
may not have any legislature at all this
winter, "a it may take congress several
months to pass an act for our relief, thus
putting off an election until next autumn
to the time of our general election; but it
would be far better to have no legislation
at all this winter than to attempt to pass
laws which would rest under suspicion OF
Ilegality and therefore would be inopera-
tive and void until the courts of the ter
ritory and nation had finally determined
the matter.