The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-07
THE MORE HASTE

The territorial canvassing board
which met on October 31st, adjourned
without day on November 4th. During
that time they concocted finding which
was illegal. On:grounds that were flimsy,
contrary to law, precedent and reason,
these three republican tricksters ex-
cluded the lawful returns from precinct
"a. The statute imposed upon them the
arithmetical duty of summarizing the
returns. If their high and mighty lofti-
nesses chose not to perform that duty, but
something entirely different. their &C.
ton is entirely void and binding upon
no man. They had not before them,
when they met, the certified returns
from Silver Bow. Their deliverance ad-
mits it. The reason for the delay they
were we'll aware of. The matter was in
process Of law for decision. They
stopped to suppression of the truth in
the matter of communication from the
county clerk. But even before they ad-
journed, they had before them judg-
ment of the court, directing the county
canvassing board to include in their re-
turns the disputed votes.
That copy was the signal for their ad-
journment in hot haste. It fell like
thunderbolt among the conspirators.
Within Il few days, the writ would be
served and the lawful returns from Sill
yer Bow sent on. For law or justice
they cared not one jot, but, If this should
hannah fh0v rR
from the performance of their lawful
duty. The republican party IN the
state would be undone The affidavits,
that had been obtained at such cost of
money, time and truth, would be worth
less. Their subordinates and tools
would have sinned in vain. Only haste
could save them. A prompt adjourn
ment and q lying deliverance would
avoid the crash. They had in reserve a
colored gentleman in the wood pile. The
highest official in the land was all ready
to besmirch his lofty place for the sake
of partisan advantage, and they knew it
beforehand. Admission to the union
would GUST the jurisdiction of all the
territorial courts, and the judge who
rendered this obnoxious decision and
awarded the peremptory mandamus
would be forced out of office. They
made their deliverance somehow and
adjourned.
For this indecent haste no honest or
honorable reason, no reason other than
We have advanced, can be given. Limi-
tatiorc in tho c<o%,,%oe - Mo.&o.. - A.
the period ef time during which this
board might hold it's sessions, there are
none. They could have prolonged their
duties, if necessary and desirable, for
three weeks or three months. Three
days would have sutficed as matter of
fact; but then, it was not de-
sirable. Within three days this terrible
anxiety that they express as to the want
OF returns from Silver Bow, this horrible
nightmare Of doubt that was prema-
turely aging these honorable republican
canvassers would all have been dissi-
pated. Not only would they have had
the returns, but they would have had
them IN obedience to the finding of a
court of competent jurisdiction. But
they all with one accord began to make
excuse. They were in haste.
The voters of Montana have not for
gotten this record of these men. They
are well aware that the republican party
OF the state has in it's platform endorsed
their action. Carter will have an experi-
ence this fall Of the strength Of the
memories OF honest men. That board
evaded the performance of its lawful
and sworn duty. Its members became
participants in conspiracy as base, as
black, as unjustifiable as ever was proved
to exist against the liberties of free
people. To every unbiased and unpreiu-
diced mind this is the irresistible con.
clusion.
The colored gentleman was promptly
on hand He was the end man of this
republican farce, and he got through his
share OF the performance in great style.
Within four days of the finding Of the
territorial board Benjamin Harrison sd.
nitted Montana to the union and iusti.