Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1889-09-20

convention, were put in circulation
to create the impression that tho
Democrats had entered into tho
movement aud were contesting for
the control Of the convention: the
parties guilty Of this despicable
trickery hoping thus to stimulate
the tagging zeal Of their adherents
and awaken sufficient interest to
save the election from becoming q
ridiculous farce.
But it failed. The absence from
the polls Of 26, out Of the 32,606
recorded voters of the Territory.
was not therefore the result OF in
difference, but arose from a far
higher cause. 1t was a determined
protest against and condemnation
OF the action of the trainers OF the
convention bill, in DISTINGUISHING
the entire Democratic party by
their notoriously gerrymandered
apportionment for the election OF
members to the convention-an ap-
portionment upon which the lead
ers Of the minority party, accidently
in power in the Legislature, sought
and intended to establish and per-
petuate their control OF the projec-
ted state government. 1t was this,
coupled with general disgust at the
recent legislature, that brought
about the signal reputation OF the
convention movement by the people
We have right to say therefore
that this convention scheme was
deliberately and purposely voted
down by an overwhelming majority
OF the electors of the Territory, the
refusal to vote constituting silent
but effective protest against the
convention project-silent, because
the conditions established in th3
convention bill were such that any
other course would have been inef-
fective and futile.
Under the conditions as fixed, a
majority of the people, had they
voted, would have gone to the polls
gagged and bound. They we're not
permitted to vote aye or no upon
the proposition to hold . conven-
ton. They were given no choice
whether or no they would have .
convention but were merely per-
mitted to say whom they would
elect, and even that in such form
and under such disabilities OF ap-
that one vote in Q
county counted for a.
much as two in democratic county.
Yet, in the face of this undis-
guised, emphatic and unmistakabls
public condemnation Of the whole
scheme in advance, the gentlemen
30 repudiated will probably 60 for
ward to make constitution.
The character of that instrument
Is not now at issue, nor Is 1t likely
o be, in any active sense Like the
the sting OF this scheme
8 in the tail. 1t is what is tn como
after the adoption Of this constitu-
ION, il it shall be adopted, that
,astly more concerns the people,
han the character OF the instru-
nent itself. 1t is the permanent
over the state gov
,rnment, through the perpetuation
# their infamous apportionmsnt in
he election of state officers and
legislatures, of the upconscionabls
who dominated the re-
'ent legislature and for a score OF
ears have rioted in public plunder
md robbed and disgraced the hon.
at people OF the Territory without
ct or hlndrance.
That is the real issue now before
he people, however much the
chemers and their confederates
md dupes may seek to disguise it,
nd, upon that issue will the people
% to the polls when the work OF
he convention ehall be submitted
or their verdict; and repeating and
ntensifying their protest of Aug
ut last, bury the so-called consti-
ntion and the projectors of the
efarious plot for the perpetuation
{ ring rule, under mountain of
,dignant ballots 30 deep and en-
hattie, that resurrection will be