The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1889-12-27

4 Controversy On whose neelsion H.
ponds the lib~rty % Tho New state.
The Democratic members OF the Mon.
ana Legislature are perfectly justified
N refusing 10 compromise with their
Republican opponents. A compromisc
under the circumstances would be moth
INC more nor less than compromising 4
fr.ony. Honest men struggling for the
right never propose compromises. nor
accept them. The very fact that the
Montana Republicans opened nerotia-
lions with the Democrats. looking 10 n
compromise whereby each party should
have one senator. was confession on
sheir part that they are in the wrong.
And still they are mean enough 10 en-
rloy their advantage TO steal one-half ~
~ victory that the Democrats are en-
tGslei %. The promptncss OF the Demo
Gratis Ia rejecting this overture was ne
cnliarly gratifying 70 the friends OF an
homes, ballot throughout the entire
country. and viii give the Democratic
party in Montana prestige that will be
worth great deal In future political
contests.
The deadlock which the Republicans
have created in the Montana Lcgisla-
rure Is causing great inconvenience to
the citizens OF the new State. The legis-
lAfion necessary 70 put the new con-
stitution into effect can not be enacted.
ana NJ session Of the Supreme Court can
~ held until the deadlock is broken and
the Legislature organized. In some OF
the counties there is no judicial organi-
ration. and can be none until the Legis-
lature makes provision for deciding the
contested election cases. 1t is unfortu-
nate that this state 81 affairs should exist:
yet the Republicans are responsible for
X. and the Democrats can not afford 10
sacrifice the dearest principle in Amcri-
can government just 70 relieve the situ-
atom. II Is the duty Of the Democrats
IN this crisis 70 look 70 the future OF
their state az we'll as 10 consider present
cxircncies. The honor and integrity OF
,he State is in their keeping. and BY the
force o. circumstances they are made
TIA cnstodians 81 a free and honest
ballot. Under our American system
there * no way Of determining where
power belongs except BY the one infal-
.ible rule ~ submitting 70 the will OF
the MAJORITY, as expressed through the
halla'-hoN. In this instance the major
ity 81 'hn voters OF Montana lodged
The legislative power in tho hands
II the Democrats. and they, and
they alone, arc entitled 10 ex-
er:sse il. The Republican minority have
NJ more right 70 organize the Montana
legislature than the inhabitants OF
k4mt-chatka would have. II would be |
.4>' A. reasonable TO talk about 4 COM
promise With the Town Council OF Tim |
h1-ipo as tn agree 10 compromise with (
tAe Republican minority in the Montana
LrF safArt. - far as compromise /
cNli ~ made consistent with law and /
n 4its.
n IAe Montana Democrats have but one
w 70 follow. and that is 70 stand a.
~ a. adamant in defense Of their I
4 and in vindication Of popular gov
hstnt II the Republican minority |
NJ 70 assume the responsibility Of /
ging the legislative deadlock. and |
f5 checking ~ operations Of the
~ Ssartnentof the State govern
n. they have the choice Of doing 50. i
the Republican leaders should re-
mis- that they take fearful risks in
Flslng such course. We are mis-
sen IN the intelligence and the integ-
q the Montana people IL persist
'ce n such course does not prove the
,SstFnction o. the Republican party in
0n'ana- There are some things in re-
\ Y which tho politicians can hood
Nnk the voters. but ballot theft is not
oae ot them. st Paul Globe.