Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-16
THE EMBRYO STATES.
Universal Suffrage In Montana-Wash-
ington and South Dakota Conventions.

On the reassembling Of the constitutional
convention of Montana at Helena yesterday.
after q recess since last Friday the matter Of
universal suffrage was sprung by the introduc-
ton by Joy, by request. of a petition signed
by $50 citizens from eight or ten small towns
in various parts Of the territory, asking that
consideration be taken Of the question. It was
referred to the suffrage committee, where it
may slumber. There were no prominent
names attached to it.
During the absence Of the members at Great
Falls, at the reception, small printed circulars
headed Universal Suffrage" reasons why
women should vote, were pasted on every
members desk, sticking SO closely that they
could not be scratched off, and in every spot
about the convention hall where a conspicuous
space could be found. The proposition relating
TO compulsory education for children between
the ages Of eight and fourteen was recon-
mended not to pass by the committee. A pre-
amble In regard to q bill of rights, and pro-
vision for the publication of all general laws as
passed in the legislature was reported without
Recommendation.
Watson said he was not present at the meet
ing that considered the publication of the law
and had a minority report to submit. Privilege
was given to submit the report at any time.
There may be a fight over this. The committee
on labor asked for further time to consider
the propositions relating to Chinese labor,
aborers under contract and discharged en-
Ployes. A great deal of interest is manifested
In these matters. r. c. Wylie, district secre-
tary of the National Reform association, pre-
Sented an article or proposition in regard to a
moral principle in civil government in which
the statements made that nearly all the
state constitutions contain acknowledgements
OF Almighty God, more less clearly ex-
pressed, but the association desires something
more definite.
God should be acknowledged as the source of
that authority which Is vested in the majority.
His will should be taken for supreme law on all
moral issues in the sphere of political life
The Lord should be recognized as the king of
nations. Besides this foundation should be
laid for Just and necessary legislation on ques-
tions Of marriage and divorce, the Sabbath
question and moral instruction in the public
schools.
The committee submitted a proposition for
the establishment of bureau of labor and the
appointment of a superintendent. A delegate
objected on the plea of being absent and asked
to present minority report. provision that
no officers, except Senator and Representatives,
under the law of the new state, should hold
more than two years, was submitted.
resolution was passed that state examiner
be appointed to investigate the accounts of all
officials at least once year.
WASHINGTON TERRITORY
At Olympia, W. T., yesterday, there was
smaller attendance than usual at the roll call,
though 1t was expected the judiciary committee
would report. The committee, it is under
stood, has practically adopted the California
system. There will be three or five on the
supreme bench, eighteen district judges to pro-
bate. The principal difficulty is in arranging
districts. Salaries will be $4,000 on the su-
preme bench; "a, 600 for other judges. No
question but this report will be adopted with
out much opposition or changing. The COM
mlttee, however, could not agree on minor de-
tails, 80 report was not made to-day.
letter was read from Francis Miner of st.
Louis In favor of woman suffrage. But three
propositions were introduced by Schooby to
divide the school lands according to their value;
by joy, to have special laws submitted always
to popular vote; by Kinnear. no armed body
of men can be brought in the state. This is
aimed almost specifically at detective agencies.
lengthy debate occurred over the resolution
offered Saturday by Moore asking for informa-
ton on the tide land question The resolution
was taken from the table. Great interest was
manifested in the vote on the resolution. be-
cause, though it was nominally opposed on the
score Of too much and unnecessary work it
was understood the vote would indicate the
position of the convention on the tide land
question, whether il shall be sold or restored
by the state.
THE SOUTH DAKOTA CONVENTION.
At Sioux Falls the South Dakota constitu-
tonal convention, on its twelfth day, had
twenty-six delegates who sat through a FIVE
minute session. The only feature of business
was the adoption of a resolution calling upon
the standing committees to report with as much
dispatch as possible. In order that the enroll
ing and engrossing clerks may begin their work
the schedule committees are wrestling with the
Australian ballot system, and il is understood
nat W and "a oIn