, 1889-11-28
THE DEADLOCK is ON
Rival Legislatures Running in
Montana.
ORGANIZATION OF BOTH HOUSES
The Republicans Hold a Caucus
and Explain Their Line
of Action.

HELENA, Mont, Nov. 23.-The repub-
lican representatives held caucus this
morning, when it was decided to ignore
Governor Toolo's proclamation and only
recognize the certificates OF the state
canvassing board. State Auditor Kenney
early IN the morning had issued proc
lamation calling the house together
designating. Iron hall as the place OF
meeting At IL the auditor, accom-
panied by the assistant state auditor,
entered the hall, where the republican
members were awaiting them. There
was an enormous audience. Without
delay they proceeded to organize the
house.
Thirty members responded to roll call,
being two more than u quorum. Chief
Justice Blake administered the oaths.
The house quickly proceeded to per-
manent organization.
a. Q. Witter of Beaverhead county
was the unanimous choice for speaker.
Benjamin Webster was elected chief
clerk.
BY 2 o'clock complete organization
was perfected.
A committee was sent to the governor,
whe could not be found, however
At the same hour Lieutenant Governor
Pickaris called the senate to order Only
eight republican members were on hand.
lne senate adjourned until Monday.
THE DEMOCRATS.
In the meantime the democrats had
started to organize third house, having
possession ofthe court room, whittier all
repaired at noon hour in compliance
with Governor Toole's proclamation.
&. p. Blakely being the oldest rem-
Der, assembled the judges bench and
called the house to order. Temporary
o9rganization was made BY making
Blakely speaker and Pond of Jefferson
chict clerk, after which farce an adjourn
ment was taken.
In plain words, a deadlock Is on and
no one knows where il will end.
Republican papers severely score the
governor for issuing his remarkable docu-
ment. The situation is simply two or
ganized houses of representatives and an
unorganized senate.
| have it on absolute authority that
state Auditor Kenney, the republican
official who called the house to order to-
day, was Approached tins morning with
a bribc, The nature of it was sub
stantially an offer of $4,000 to that
gentleman If he would consent to APP
pear in the house and call the roll of that
body as furnished by the democrats, ac-
cording TO Governor Toolo's proclama-
ton. The auditors action shows how
he spurned the attempt to buy his
principles.
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
HELENA, Mont, Nov. 23-ln caucus
of republican senators and representa-
tives this evening the action of the re,
publican house members in organizing
separately was explained. 1t was stated
that republican action was based upon
the proclamation of Governor Toole that
none be recognized as having rights as
members except those holding certih-
Gates of election from county clerks. II
was stated further that the new consti-
tuition in force since October 1 expressly
provides that all returns be can
vassed by the same board created
by the enabling act. The
republicans stand unanimously on the
proposition that only such us were found
to be members by the state canvassers
are entitled to seats, and all power to de-
termine further rights resides wholly in
tho separate houses and ut no time in
the governor.
Without notice the governor ordered
the members to meet in certain places
that until the last moment before the
hour appointed, were locked and
guarded, with no prospect but that such
places would continue under the
governors personal control, Rather
than submit to such supervision and re-
striotons, tho republicans, with an
officer designated by law to call the
house, to order, proceeded to organize
elsewhere