Helena weekly herald., 1889-11-28
THE LEGISLATIVE MUDDLE.

zen. in that it has wrought harm 10 oui
good name. 1t is sequel to that con-
spifscy coneoeted at Anaconda, where last
August it was determined by corporate IN
fuence, corruption and wealth to wrest
from Montana on her bridal day her noblest
Jewels and have them henceforth adorn
the coronet OF some political corsalr; and
it shows how, in pursuit of such a crime,
there are no methods which the conspira-
tors do not dare. 1t is this great fact
which makes all attempts of moderate men
TO tame the feelings of the people and to
arrange some middle ground whereon for
our own repute abroad all could stand,
col scious that we had been loyal to Mon
tana. impossible. Shall Montana hence
forth be the theatre of fraud, and her plain
and honest people be trodden b.neath the
feet of Plutocrats, or dragged at the heels
of the great corporate magnates to Lglve
them triumph or make for them Roman
holiday? Not if we please, gentlemen.
Whatever may be said of the pressure to
be brought on the Legislative organization
by the County Commissioners OF Lewis
and Clarke, however weak or strong may
be the claim of Sandy Lane, Jim Fulkerson
and Capt Jack Smith to be considered a
returning board, and however men may
condem or excuse these lawless invasions
of the peoples rights, there will be no dis
sent from a condemnation of any interfet-
ence with the organization OF the Leglsla-
ture by the Executive of the State. The
Legislature is a coordinate and coequal, not
dependent, branch of the government.
Nowhere from its inception to its close do
the laws of this or any other free country
allow the remotest invasion of the preroga-
tives of legislators by executive power
The liberty of ali English speaking peoples
has been born of resistance TO such efforts
and Montana is not yet bought by power
OF in the possession of degenerate sons.
The system of government under which
we live does not recognize that we are
children and the Governor a good natured
guardian 10 control us at bis own sweet
will. There is no function in the eXecu
tive department to supplant the laws
with its orders. What the Legislature
ought but has omitted to do does not
devolve on the Governor to perform. 1t Is
therefore wholly unimportant whether Mr.
Toole does or does not consent that the
Legislature meet in the Court House. No
law, precedent, usage or custom places that
question in his hands. The officers charged
by law to call the respective houses to
order, in the absence of express Legislation,
are implicitly and on consultation with the
members authorized to determine that
question, and if they select place crowded
by the Board of County Commissioners or a
Governor with bullies and ruffians to over
awe or effect an organization of either
house they would deserve and would re-
ceive the execration of all decent citizens.
Happily there is not now the remotest
III At SuCu cSSdo "'Ai
occur.
1t is given forth by the press IN the
hands for the moment of perambulating
scribblers, that the Governor or Chairman
of the Board of County Commissioners is
dissatisfied with the way some subordinate
election officer or offices have discharged
legal duties, and that, their desires becom-
ing law, they propo to correct by force In
or around rooms which their presumption
has designated as place where the peoples
representatives shall assemble, the alleged
wrong instead of leaving the ascertainment
and correction of that wrong, if such there
be. to the authorities which the law ap-
pointed for that purpose. 1t makes no dif-
ference in the atrocity of this proposition
whether the grievance is real or imagined. 1.
1t is arbitrary, lawless power. 1t makes
no difference whether it be an error or
wrong purposed or unintended, can the
mere rental of a room for the meeting of
the Legislature be the remedy? If in the
! Judgment of commissioner of Lewis and
Clarke county or of a Governor some
! Judges of election permitted illegal votes
to be cast, changing result, can he forci-
bly, without law, correct the wrong?
In short, it brings us right back to the
ever recurring question, May every al
leged infraction of law be corrected by
lawlessness? Our Legislature, while divided
into two bodies, as being one of three OF
the governmental departments, is an essen
tial unity, and pressure on or insult to one
body should be resented by both. The
SIN allest question before the Legislature
now is, What shall be its political COM
plexiop, and who or of what party shall be
our Senators? We are now confronted With
a problem which rises high in the domain
of craftsmanship, which calls for modera
ton. courage, patriotism and thoughtful
ness. If any man or set Of men, moved by
personal ambition, are beckoning us away
from the secure landmarks of the lw, they
should be disregarded. If hot headed ig
norance appeals to passion, it should b.
condemned. As there are courts and legis
latures, where every wrong can be re
dressed, to them we should appeal, and b.
their decision we should all abide. Ever.
good citizen will do this cheerfully, AM
every bad citizen will be made to do sc
whether he will or no.