Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1889-08-01
CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
Especial to the ARGus.

HELENA, July p. 1859.
MEssR>. EpIrons After two days inter
| val. ia which those who are Obliged 10 stay
here had weary and duh time and those
living along the railroads good one, the
convention met again ON Monday at = y.
M, the home-goers resolved to make up for
their holiday, and the stayers resolved
that they should do so. Result: Six hours
work during the day and evening and much
progress ma.l-.
| In the afternoon three articles were final.
~ disposed of-those defining the boundar-
les OF Montana, and the one upon the mi
litia, the latter making the militia consist
of all able-bodied male citizens between IS
and 10 years. inclusive.
After this was taken up il committee of
the whole the article On law. This as pre-
sented by the standing committee con.
tanned provisions establishing "a state hui
reau of labor and industry, prohibiting the
employment of eoivicts at any business
which should lin any way compete with
Tree labor. prohibiting tn. employment of
children under in mines or fact cries, for
bidding the payment Of laborers in any
thing hut United States money. providing
that all public work should be done by the
day and declaring that eight hours work
should constitute a days labor.
In connect ion with these were considered
other propositions prohibiting all chinese
labor, forbidding the importation of labor
ers from without the state, and forbidding
under severe penalties any attempt to pre-
vent the employment of discharged labor
ers. one after another all of these restrict
i've clauses were stricken out, the child en-
ployment. pay and eirht-hour system by
large prepondsrance OF votes On divisions,
and the Chinese and other clauses almost
mem. con.
The debates took Il wide range, and sew
eral able speeches were made ON both sides |
The prevailing objection was that the whole |
matter should be left to the legislature. but |
there was u lengthy and interesting discus
sion on the subject of employment "f con
vict-. The article was finally reported. /
containing only provision that the l-gis-
lature may, in its discretion, erect IL bureau
of labor and industry. an, one relating To
cont racting the labor of convirts.
The subject of the publication of the gem
eral laws came up and was referred to the /
COMMITTEES .n legislative department. There
seems ia he no objection To il except that F
il should he left to the legislature To act .
upon il they choose.
A long session Of the committee in the
evening disposed Of many SECTIONS of the
judiciary article. and the convention al.
journed pending the discussion of the di-
vision Sf the districts. n wide difference Of
opinion being manifested.
Tuesday, I'D Among the reports from
committees were several from the
ON miscellaneous subjects, rec
that no action he taken by the
ON theauestion of sunday laws,
ar gambling. or prohibition. but To- leave
them to be settled by the legislature.
A select committee reported ON the stem
ographie business, and sufficient interest
had been worked up with members who
wished tn see Themselves and Others re-
ported for posteIity To secure the passage,
~ tn IL, vi "a resolution for the takin: but
not the printing! of such n report.
The article ON labor was taken IN for
final action, and after the passage of the
first section by 81 to |. the remaining sec.
ton. in regard to convict labor, was dis