The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1889-08-24
STATE GOVERNlENT.


The Weiser Leader in it's last issue,
referring to the late convention,
says: Hon. P. J. Pedey refused 10
sign the humbug constitution lately
adopted by the constitution fizzle at
Boise City, The Leader then quotes
the following from Mr.. Pef1ey:
I have not asked for pay; do not want
1t, and would not take the money under
any circumstances, because / do not think
that I have earned anything; nor do /
think any one here is entitled to pay for
his attendance, or in any way whatever;
because We all came to this hall knowing
that there was no pay attached to the
Office of delegate in this convention.
The Leader then makes the fol-
lowing criticism upon the doings
of the convention:
Mr.. Pefsy il an honorable and good
man, and for this action should be held
in high regard BY all the tax-paying peo-
Pile Of the territory. The late thing,
called constitutional convention, assem-
bled at Boise City on the 4th day of July
last without one shadow of authority or
sanction of the people at large and en-.
tirely without authority from the con-
eress of the United States. While there
were able and good men in the body it was
in the main composed Of self-appointed
delegates. Before the assembling of the
great body it was loudly claimed and
stated that there was no pay attached to
the services OF delegates, and In some
cases members refused to attend for that
reason, while others said they would 60
for the honor there was in being mem
Der Of the convention. But now we all
see how full of honor they were-each
and every one, except Mr.. Pehey, of Ada
county, voted himself six dollars per day
and mileage for pay of their WORKOUT and
overtaxed brains and hard work in form
ing the grandest fizzle of a constitution
ever laid before $4,000 poverty stricken
people. This pay was just like che con-
vention-it was self-voted-and we hope
the people will vote the whole business
down next November so deep that no part
of it will be resurrected for at least ten
years to come. All that is necessary to
convince any fair minded man against
the infamous document is to look at the
salaries of the different state officers and
of the state judiciary. The idea of hav
ing Ave district and three supreme judges
for sparsely settled country like Idaho
is simply preposterous, and is enough t.
make the people vote solid against thu
entire doings of the convention.
The Blackfoot News has an en-
phatic word to say on the subjec'
of state government, which shot
"rings the bell" with no uncertain
sound. 1t says:
1t is no betrayal Of confidence for TIL
News to say that the people are rapid.
! weakening in their faith about the sue
cess of statehood.
If the members of the constitutions
convention will read up on the state his
tory of Nevada they will call halt OF
the proposition to provide for aJudiciar!
to cost $4,000 year and legislature tt
cost $25,OO0, q session, and If they will
not, the people surely will on ratification
day, and no mistake.
| A nut for the convention to crack:
three judges At a cost Of $4,000 do thu
judicial work for the Territory and Unite
States. what will be the increased pc
cent of litigation for the State to neces
state eight judges at q cost Of 400
exclusive of United States businesss
1t is always wise and prudent to loo
to the future, and at the same time hav
. care to the present, too. While tn
convention 10 building for idaho in year
to come it should not overlook Idaho {
to-day. A burden that can be borne D.
4 million people cannot be borne by sew
enty FIVE thousand.
Idaho has not the population, wealt
and resources of Illinois nor of Ohio An
it is useless to attempt to make const
tuition that would suit those States bette
. than it would Idaho and expect the pee
pie to ratify it. The people will be Prou
enough to gain admission in the Unto
on equality with the people of othe
States, but they will never consent
mortgage all they have got for the Al
mission ticket.
Before the adjournment of tn
, constitutional convention a CON
mittee was appointed to lay befol
the people the reasons why the COZ
stitution prepared by the CONVEX
ton should be adopted. This con
mittee have issued an address
the people Of Idaho, picturing ]
glowing terms the advantages to I
derived from a State government
But careful reading of the doc'
: ment fails to disclose the slighte'
| allusion to the number Of the pol
ulation of Idaho, a point, it seen
to us, of paramount importanc
and one upon which the foundatio
of a state government for our teri
tory must eventually rest.
Proxy's Biography.
The Cassia County Times, in 81
ing brief biographical sketch
! some of the delegates to the Ia
! constitutional convention has Il
! r A. 900, nh0,-$ o,r PROV