The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1889-11-25

The exhibition At Helena, Mont, last
Saturday, when the two bodies claiming 70
be the lower house of the first legislature
Of that new state, assembled in different
places and went through the forms of or
ganisaiion. whlIe only the senator's repre-
senting one political party met for the pur-
pose OF organizing that body, was dis
graceful and . notifying reflection on
American governmental methods. II that
he sample Of our progress. more than .
century has been spent by the American
people with little effect in establishing
stable. decofous, reputable methods Of
setting In motion the machinery OK free
government
The demonstration is one whose effects
reach far beyond the confines Of Montana.
II Is q renroach to the representative sys-
tenn OF which our government is the chief
and proudest exelnpiar. Some of the In
diyiduais claiming TO be members of that
legislature we're and others we're not
elected. Who were. and who were not.
slected i question Of Law and fact for the
solution of whish it Is presumable that
definite and orderly means have been pro-
vided. To seat those who we're not elected.
and 10 unseat those who were. would be an
outrage and crime which, no true lover Of
our system Of free government could APP
prove. no matter whether the beneficiaries
Of the fraud are the members Of his party
or another.
II has been assumad in this connection
that the decision In this matter would be
dependent on the partisan complexion OF
the tribunal making decision; that on the
same state Of law and facts Republican
tribunal would seat the Republican claim
ants. while Democratic tribunal would
seat The Democrats. This Is inonssrous
assumption. Il implies that tribunal
presumably composed of officers sworn to
decide honestly according 10 the Law and
the faess--Eeprescnting either the one or
the other Of the great parties into which
this country Is politically divided--would
directly steal several seats in the legislature.
snA indirectly two seats in the United
States senate.
To rob a man Of money or property
would Ne punished by imprisonment and
he was duly elected would he nos only =
great injury 70 him. but murdegous stab
&C. the sitals Of Representatives government
Thievlng is nos more exensable or less re-
pFeAenslhle because committed in behalf
Of party than when done for mere per
sonAl gain. lie who. hgling an important
position OF honor and trust and acting
under the sesena obligation ot an oath
woald DO this thing. IS worse than a conf
men thiei. Ana Is guilty og moral treason 10
the government he is swcFn 10 serve, and
therefore IS a peviurer.
IL has been animated that this disgrace
ful scramble will he followed 10 the extent
o. holding swo iosnt conventions og both
hoases os The two pretended legislatures.
snd the election CT two sets Of United
States senators. IL is further assumed
shas TIE Democratic governor win issue
certificates - the Democratic, and that TIE
EerahlseAn secretary of state viii issue
certificates 10 tie Republican senators. ali
a. . matter 81 course ard in pursuance oE
oAth-sOana duty Oa the same state Of law
And facts. II IL still further assumed tAas
the division in eur highest eoay Of law~
makers wkll he strictly On party liass as se
tae seating a. the one o. sAe other Il these
two braces oE senators. IN otAsv worsls.
THAI al ths members On enc oE the osasE
SIDE a that sngvss bessy, among the fore
nssSs aad aost Aonore3 statesmen q the
land. vii vpss 70 steal two seats in the
Senate.
saca Assnnartsoasarv eoosly and unhiGsh-
sngsy asfaiAsd AaEo&a FOR al the weEld 70
READ. tAas Rspaalican oAnnos trass 3
nsraoCEsi. nas nenoesas srast Repah-
hezn - mAke fair xna honest awArss,
even wlrsa under cath % 80 So II sAls l.
tAe sshscs u Aasevsean gsasssseS, il i siEas
~ cad hals ard Try ~ retoraa eur wars.
i sAss Is The ssAies Is AHesissa poisKscs.