Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1889-04-04
CONCERNING THE CONSTITUTIONAL
CONVENTION

CONNENlioN
The question how best to proceed i'll
choosing delegates to the Constitu
tional convention has been the subject
of some discussion and inquiry in the
-. few days. The general opinion is
that primaries and conventions should
be dispensed with and the mat sr left
To the Democratic and Republican
committees. 1t is proposed that the
two commit tees meet and select three
candidates the Republicans two and
the democrats one, thus avoiding the
trouble and expense of caucuses and
conventions ut this very busy season
vi the year. While it is not or should
not he party question, the Demo
Gratis who have considered the matter
are willing o concede the Republicans
a majority of the delegation as there
is nothing important at stake. The
only chancr for dissatisfaction is with
the selections made in the conference
OF the two committees, but ii con
ventiOns were called the attendance
would be so small that the expression
would amount to but little more
We do not believe the people OF the
county are tumbling over each other
in their anxiety in this matter, but
rather indifferent, from the fact that
the difficult task OF framing a state
constitution will devolve largely upon
the eminent legal gentlemen who will
be- found in the convention. who must |
in their wisdom create someth hing that |
will be Just to all sections.
With the gentlemen selected by the |
committees an election would seem
unnecessary, but it must he held to
comply with the requirement OF the
omnibus bill" and is set for Tuesday,
May 18th.
We give below Mr.. Springer's expla-
nation OF the minority represent a.
ton plan. 1t will be seen that the
first paragraph calls for Just what is
in this county to avoid
expense and trouble. The explana-
ton is made in answer to injuries.
and is very lucid
ut means Just what is stated. No
voter can put on his ticket more than
two names for delegates. but he may
put one name only on his ticket. And
she three persons who may lave the
greatest number OF votes would be
elected. Practically the result would
De that the party in the ma jority-or|
he party which is conceded to he i'm
he majority would nominate two
for delegates, while the
Darty which is conceded o lie i'm the
would nominate but one
The tickets OF the majority
party would then read: 'Fordelegate.
% Unconstitutional convention. j Ohm
Doe, Richard Roe. The tickets for
.he minority party would be printed
nus; For delegate to the constitt-
.ional convention, John smith
But If the two political parties
Mere nearly evenly divided and each
'lalmed or hoped to obtain the ma
orlty, each would nominate two can
iidates for delegates. There would
hen be four candidates, and the three
VINO received the greatest number
81 votes would he elected. This sy,-
tenn is not what is known as c,m,iln-
tive voting, such as We have in Illinois.
1t simply limits the choice OF each
voter to two persons, while three per-
sons are to he elected in the district
The political party in the minority,
sven II that minority he very small, /,
will be able to elect one delegate in
zach dist riot ii good man is nomi-
latsd, and ii all efforts of the minor ,
ty are directed in his favor.
MY object i'll Incorporating this :
provision in the bill was to to secure
representation IN the convention for
he minority party in the district $
vhile-the majority party would have {
he majority in the convention and q
he power to control it. The minority t
hould he represented, and the ma a
ority should rule. The principle is d
specially desirable in a constitutional
which is to frame the
law, the chief object OF
ihich is the protection OF the rights
i minorities.r' u