The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-02-17
Our Delegate Expounds to an "lnde-
pendent" Representative the Ad-
mission Bills Features.
II the Senate Makes No Changes, a
Constitutional Convention viii be
Held July a. 5ee.
Ansr the Adoption Of - Consultation
Comes the Presidents Proclamation
and Then statehood.

WASHINGTON. Feb. l6.-ISpecial TO the
Independent l-Delegate Toole explained
10 the correspondent of the INDEPENDENT
10 day that II the territorial bill passes In
Its present shape, as il Is likely TO, the
legal voters OF Montana will be called on
to elect a constitutional convention. The
election is to be held on the Tuesday after
the second Monday in May, the proclama-
ton thereof being made by the governor at
least thirty days before the election. The
convention is 10 consist Of seveDty-fye del
egates and the apportionment Of delegates
is 10 be made by the governor, the chief
justice and the United States attorney. At
this election every voter will have an OPP
portunity 10 vote for OF against the consti-
tuition. II majority votes for the present
constitution, the delegates will have moth
ing TO do except TO make such amendments
as may be required to bring II into harmony
with this act In relation 20 judicial dis
tricts. salaries OF county officers In
new counties, etc. The delegates will
meet in convention at the territorial capt.
thl ull q. i0oft anu niutnu tnt biu tOh1I-
tuition or adopt new one, according TO the
popular vote. IL the old constitution Is re-
tained, the president may upon Its amend
ment as already described, proclaim that
the state of Montana is admitted TO the
Union. IL new constitution be ordered
It 10 to be submitted TO the people on the
Tuesday after the first Monday In Novem-
Der, and upon Its ratification the president
may proclaim the admission Of the state Of
Montana. The bill appropriates $4,000 to
defray the expenses OF the constitutional
convention. and the convention may pro
vide for tlfe election OF q full set OF state
officers and a representative In congress.
IL the constitution is ratified the Legislature
may meet and elect two senators.
Representative Cox. who offered success
| fully series OF instructions TO the house
conferees on the territorial bill looking "a
| the immediate admission OF South Dakota,
| has received letters from Fargo, OAK,
| signed by Chairman Ryan, OF the demo
| cratic territorial committee, thanking him
| for his efforts In behalf Of statehood f0r
| the Dakotas and other territories, and says
/ thst, rightly or wrongly, the impression
has been created that the democratic party
Is responsible for denying the people OF
Dakota their undoubted right to come into
the union as two states, when they possess
all the qualifications; that the people OF
Dakota are practical unanimous In favor
Of division and statehood; that II is useless
TO waste time In taking another vote on
| division and asking for statehood at once
and let the democratic party have the
credit OF giving II TO uR. The house com
mittee on territories to-day authorized q
| favorable report TO be made on the bill In
troduced yesterday by Delegate Joseph,
| providing for an enabling act for the ad
| mission OF New Mexico.