Great Falls tribune., 1889-09-28

s>Nto1'hNSi
constitutional convention of 1885, with
the original thereof, filed in my office on
the 17th day Of August, A. D. 1885, and
that the same is a correct transcript
therefrom, and of the whole of said orip-
inal constitution.
Witness my hand and the seal of the
- territory Of Montana this 24th
(sEAL) day of August, "A. D. one thou
~ sand eight hundred and eighty
nine. LOUIS A. WALKER.
Secretary of the Territory of Montana
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE TERRI
TORY OF MONTANA;
| The constitutional convention, after a
continuous session of forty-fve days, has
completed its labors and submits the ac-
companying constitution of the state of
Montana to the qualified electors for
their ratification or rejection.
We do not claim that tits perfect
instrument. No constitution ever re.
hected the concensus of public opinion
upon all questions. All constitutions
are the results of compromises. The
constitution Of the United States, cher
ished above all other instruments, was
tar IRON perfect when adopted, but time
and the light Of experience exposed Its
| I1ootN "a y-fp o,,I
nents which were subsequently pro-
posed and adopted demonstrated that
the power of government lodged with
the people may be safely relied upon to
correct inequalities and provide new
safeguards when required. So it will be
with this constitution.
The usual provision for the submis-
sion and adoption of amendments is
made. On the first day of October next
general election will be had, at which
you will be called upon to- ratify or re-
| ject the work of this convention. Each
elector voting at said election shall have
written or printed upon the ticket he
may deposit in the ballot box the words
"For the Constitution or Against the
| Constitution"
The constitution now proposed is sim
liar in all its fundamental provisions to
the constitution of 1854, which was rati-
fled by large majority: yet we think in
this the judiciary system is better suited
to the wants and interests of our people
! We submit it in convenient form for
your careful consideration and commend
it as worthy of your unanimous ap-
proval. The adoption of the constitution
( will secure our admission upon an equal
footing with the original states; it will
give lis adequate courts for the admins
tration of justice; it will permit us to tax
large quantities of land now exempt from
taxation; it will give lis the immediate
benefit of school and other lands donated
by the Unite d States; it will relieve lis
of that unjust inhibition by which we
are prohibited from selling our mines in
foreign markets; it will give lis repre-
sentative in congress and two United
States senators to represent us in Wash
ington; it will give us the right of suf-
frage in national elections; it will give
us stable government; it will invite
capital and emigration; in short it will
break the shackels of territorial bondage
and elevate us to the full dignity of
4 american citizenship.
Our population represents individuals
who have enjoyed constitutional gov
ernment in different states of the union,
and those whose lives and aspirations
have been circumsclihed within the mar
row limits of territorial v'tsselage. To
neither OF these is it necessary to a.
dress an argment in favor of our speedy
admission into the union. Let every
citizen who deserves well of his state, of
his country and of mankind promote in
every honorable way the ratification of
this constitution.
We point with pride to the fact that no
shadow of reputation found its way
into our constitution. That important
point is well and safely guarded. Ex-
perience has taught the people of the
United States that capital and emigra-
ton seek a stable and safe government.
1t Montana were state to-day the cap-
tai that would seek investment and the
immigrants who would seek homes in
this our favored land of Montana would
be increased in an immense ratio.
We, who are here to participate in lay
ing deep and broad the foundation of this
great commonwealth, will pass away,
but our votes and efforts will live with
the years to come-when all the prob
lens of our day shall be solved, only f.
give place, perhaps, to others of ded
and graver import; we confidently hi
and expect that the constitution will
ceive hearty approval, and respectful
submit it to the consideration of an
telligent and patriotic people.
| JOSEPH K. TooLE,
| B. PLArT CARPENTER,
/ w. w. DIXON,
JAMES E. CALLAwAY,
T. e. COLLINS