Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1889-08-17
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE or
IDAHO.

The Convention convened at Boise
City on July 4, 1883, to frame a Con-
stitution for the State OF Idaho, has
completed its iabo,s.
The Constitution 60 framed win be
submitted % you for approval 0. re- .
lection on November ), 1889.
Before adjournment, the Conven-
ton by resolution appointed the un-
dersigned as a committee 10 lay be-
fore you the reasons why the Consti.
tuition should be adopted, and this
duty we now fulfill.
The Territorial system Of govern
ment under which we have lived the
past 26 years Is in direct conflict with
the spirit Of Republican aud Demo
cratic institutions.
We have no voice in the selection
of the most important officers who
administer our local affairs; no voice f..
in the enactment Of laws by Congress
10 which we must yield obedience;
and no voice in the eles;tion Of the
Chief Magistrate Of the Republic, who
appoints the principal officers, by
whom tire executive and judicial
sffsirs Of our Territory are admins
tered.
We are held IN a state OF political
vassaiage, similar IN many respects 10
that i'm which the American Colonies
were held by Great Britain.
Governments are instituted Tor the
purpose Of securing 10 all men their
natural and inslienable rights to life.
liberty. and the pursuit Of happiness;
and all rightful governments derive
their just powers from the consent Of
the governed.
Taxation without representation
among all people who love freedom
has ever been held valid complaint
against the governing power.
While Territory, Congress, IN
which we have no vote or other ade-
ouate representation, can at any time
annui any act passed by our Legisla-
ture, and under a present law 81
Congress placing limitations and re-
strictiuns upon the power OF the Ter.
risoriai legislature. no great public
work ar improvement in the interest
of the people, no matter how neces-
sary il may be 10 the development oi
our mineral or agricultural resources
can be Inaugurated or carried out.
Under the Congressional Alien
Land Act, no alien can own or hold
lands IN the Territory. and this pro
hihitiop shuts the door TO the influx
and investment Of millions Of foreign
capi;al in our mines containing pre-
cious and useful metals, thus retard
ing and almost paraiyzing the develop
mept Of our unlimited resources, and
depriying labor of its most encourag
ing and inviting fields Of employment
Our school lands lie unoccupied ane
re,u.ning no revenue for the educa
ton Of our children. and are not oper
TO purchase by those seeking homes
among us, thus reiardIng immigra
ton. and that great increase Of popu
lation 20 which cur natural resources
aud unexampled healthiuiness
climate eutitle us.
A Territory can not have settles
public policy. fhe fact that Congres
may al any time annul its Legislation
on any matter Of purely local concer
prevents active cooperation by Oh
people on those higher planes OF pal
lie life which result in the establish
ment of permanent State policy.
The veto power of alien governor
who in the past have been, and VIII
in the future again may be ser
among us. In one OF which we hay
had more than one example OF 81
experience by which the people ha'
been discouraged.
The most intolerable evil howeve
under which we have lived for n
mast s5 wears, has been the changiu
aud shifting character of our judici
siee;sioos. by which we have been d
priyed OF the inestimnble benefit
judicial precsdents as a safeguard
our rights Of person and property.
scarcely has one judge sent TO !
from abroad obtained even sligl
insicht into the laws and customs
the Territory, before another comir
IN his room has undone the work
his predecessor, aud this chronic co
dition Of change has left all OF o.
business and property interests IN
eonstan, state OF doubt and unct
tainty.
To make confusion worse co
founded. we have been denied an a
neal from these raw and lnexperienc'
decisions 10 an independent supren
Court, under the Territorial syste
Of having the Judge below review J
own judgments on appeal, while u
small Judicial force al the Terrific
(unabie or incompeten. To peTior
the duties devolying upon I'D cans
our calendars To be overburdened WI
causes, and such Justice As We at ID
obtain 70 be delayed until htigan
are ruined.
To meet this great want OF the pt
ple. the Constitution has provided
Judicial Department, ample, but n
too great TO promptly decide all qu'
tions Of controversy and secure
vision OF all decisions BY an indepen
ent Supreme Court.
Although the expense oil inns l.
partmeut il large, il is no greater TN
our necessities compel, and IN {
prompt determination 81 all Gauss
the people viii find that their burder
direct and indirect, will be great