, 1889-09-04

ReSleu IndI luey De lnNlleu W IAke seats
in the hall. The officials were introduced
by Col. Downey and appropriately well
coined by Chairman Elliott.
Judge Brown was a trife tardy. His
appearance was a signal for applause.
Messrs. Baxter and Hoyt presented the
president-elect. In retiring Chairman
Elliott gracefully thanked the convention
for its kind treatment He presented
Judge Brown the gavel with the remark
that he was positive that it would be fear
lessly and impartiallY welded.
THE SPEECH.
In the lobby Judge Browns speech was
called elegant. and it was a splendid eff
tort. The preface was complimentary to
the convention, and congratulatory to the
speaker. He asked the helpful CO opera.
ton Of members in the work at hand, and
declared that he would discharge his dh-
ties as best he could.
After d~allying a moment at Plymouth
Rock and Riding himself of some patriot
ism and faith, Mr.. Brown jumped half
way across the continent, absorbing non
partisanship on the way. Then he talked
business and did it magniicently.
In referring to questions likely to CONE
before the convention, Judge Brown first
spoke of woman suffrage. 1t puzzled
some people, but he regarded it as set
tied in Wyoming, and already saw the
state march proudly into the union as the
only political division of the republic
which gave women their rights, marking
the constitution makers as men who were
gallant enough to do Justice.
The woman suffrage sentiments we're
received with applause.
SUFFRAGE AND EDUCATION.
Next the grave subject of general suf-
frage received attention. After all was
universal suffrage proper In some states
a property qualification had been estab-
lIshed. In others education to a certain
point was considered a requisite in the
elector. The subject demanded deep
thought and candid expression. The
judgment Of the speaker was hat the vo-
ter should at least be able to read the con-
stitution of the United States and the
ticket which he presented at the polls.
This was a fair test of the fitness u APP
ply. Applause. The question of edu-
cation of the masses had received early
attention in Wyoming. 1t is said of this
people and may be repeated with boastful
pride, that of all states and territories,
Wyoming has the least illiteracy. The
legislatures have fostered education, and
We, while showing our apprieciati6n of
the past, should endeavor TO establish for
the territory the highest and broadcast cul-
ture.
TAXATION.
Another question that will perhaps
trouble you somewhat in the future
continued the speaker, lis the question
of taxation, and the limitations that
should be thrown around the power of
taxation, both in state and county. We
have a debt that is not large considering
the wealth of the territory, but most of
you will agree that it is large enough.
Our counties are more or less indebted.
1t is proper that we, by some constitu-
tional enactment should provide that these
debts should not be u~nreasonably in
creased. In regulating taxation we should
aim to keep it down to a fair minimum.
LICENSE
1T seems to me that We have reached
the period in our history when we should
look for higher and better things, when
we should turn away from the vices and
court the virtues. We cannot look for
prohibition. There are many within the
limits OF our commonwealth who would
be glad if We could adopt it. Any such
action would be wholly impracticable at
this time, but reasonable license laws.
even a high license for the sale of intoxi-
cants may be fixed and demanded by this
convention with the utmost proprietY."
CORPORATIONS.
Railways are needed in this land of un
explored and undeveloped regions. They
are in advance of civilization and are abso-
lutely necessary. AS business enterprises
they should be encouraged. Treat them
with utter fairness but see that they do
not grasp the rights of the people or grind
them under their feet. Act fairly, but
guard the interests to the people.
LABOR.
The rights of labor are paramount in
every country. 1t is to labor that we owe
everything in the way of wealth, and it is
proper that it should be honored and pro-
tected. We often hear of strife bet Seen
capital and labor. Capital is as necessary
to labor as labor to capital. Let us thin
fairly protect each, and frame the consti-
tuition so that neither one shall trespass
upon the other. Strikes are common,
but | believe, gentlemen of the conven-
v%ention, thas these can be avoided by in
cooperating into our constitution a pro-
vision for the arbitration of all difficulties