The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-07-13
From our Special Correspondent.

now Oh. IL 10 COILl pOoOuJ po4iViSoAAyi
of thirty-three democrats and
thirty-nine republicans, of whom
there are now present twenty-nine
democrats and thirty-eight repub-
licans.
The convention permanently or
gained last Saturday, with Hon.
VIM. H. Claggett, of shoshone
county, as president.
AS the call provided for "non-
partisan" conve ntion, the republic
can majority magnanimously
created and conceded to the demo
Gratis an Office (vice president) such
an office as has never before been
heard of in body of this char
acter, and then calmly filled the
remaining offices, nine in all, from
secretary to page, with republicans.
Great is the republican party; but
greater still is the sublimity of
their nonpartisanship
Col. J W. Reid, Of Moscow, was
elected vice-president; and our
talented townsman, Chas. H. Reed,
was elected secretary, The con-
vention created twenty-five stand,
ing committees, of which the most
important are: Executive, seven
members; Legislative, seven; Judi
ciary, fifteen; Preamble and Bill Of
Rights, seven; Education, nine;
Election and Suffrage, seven; Mines
and Irrigation, nine; Revenue and
Finances, nine; etc, etc. The
members of these committees were
announced Monday, and for the
first time since the convention con-
vened, the minority were treated
in spirit approaching fairness
nine of the chairmanships being
given them, and they also have a
working majority on eight Of the
committees. We are not "kick-
ing" because partisanship has APP
peared, but against the absurdity
of the claim that partisanship
would be suppressed.
While thus far the convention
has progressed harmoniously and
there are no present indications
that there will be any disagree
ment, numerous questions will I'M
doubtedly arise where party, local
or other lines, will be very closely
drawn. For instance, the ever re.
curing Mormon question will come
up, and as far as | have learned,
there are three or four positions on
this question that will be urged by
as many different adherents. A
decided number of the convention
(mostly republicans are in favor
of some clause in the document
that will be as reaching in its effect
as our present test-oath. Another
faction Republicans and demo
crats) are in favor of combining the
constitution on this subject to the
precedent laid down by Congress in
the legislation for Utah, known as
the Edmunds-Tucke oath. Others
(mostly democrats) are in favor OF
the convention completely ignoring
the subject. and leaving it for fu-
ture legislation to grapple with.
This latter would be in keeping
with the construction of every state
constitution that has as yet been
ratified by Congress. Again, on
the question as to the first general
election, there is q decided differ
ence Of opinion. The republican
program is to fill all the offices
created by the constitution at the
same time the document is submit
ted for ratification or rejection.
The minority will firmly insist that
there shall be no election until the
constitution is accepted by the peo-
pie and ratified by congress. In
fact, that there shall be no state
officers elected until we shall have
become a state.
Runlors of schemes are numer-
Gus, and the latest is that the Gov
ernor will re-convene the present
Legislature some time after the
vote on the constitution providing
it is accepted) and elect two U. S.
Senators. While it may be neces-
sary for the republicans to do this
in order to secure the two Senators,
it is hoped, for humanity's sake,
that the Governor will forbear.
Let the Fifteenth Idaho Legisla-
ture sleep in the oblivion it so
assidnously prepared for itself and SO
richly deseryes-and damned be
he who would be responsible for it's
resurrection.
A pacf;np Woo affn-nd T,,aedov