The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-19

Bio: BALDWIN and Palace, San Francisco; 81.
Nichols and McDsrmott, Butte Leland, Hotol,
Springfield Ill
THE LEGISLATURE.
Since the excitement attending the
election has quieted down, the subject
Of the meeting of the legislature this
winter is occupying considerable atten-
ton. If there Is to be continuation of
the obstruction tactics practiced by the
rump house of last winter, it is held by
many that the people OF Montana will
feel very little interest in whether they
meet at all. But if they agree that the
will Of the people, as expressed at the
polls last year, and repeated with en-
phasis on Nov. of this year, is superior
to the dictum OF partisan returning
board; and if, go asserting, the repub-
llcan house shall agree to drop their five
contesting claimants from Silver Bow
and join with the democrats in body
which is sure to be recognized by the
legally constituted state senate, then
Montana may look for some much
needed laws. II, on the other hand, the
course persisted in last year under the
guidance and direction OF ambitious ard
designing politicians, is continued this
winter, then the prospects are that the
first laws passed by state legislature
Of Montana will be those enacted by the
body chosen at the election of 1892
Some who profess to know the temper
OF the leaders Of the republican party in
this state, and the stand maintained by
the democratic party, say they look for
no other result. 1t is held that the
withdrawal Of the five republican claim
ants from Silver Bow would be sur
render Of all that the party gained
through the decision Of its supreme
court On the other hand it is main
tanned that the democrats made an issue
Of the proceedings in Silver Bow, and
that the verdict Of the people at the late
election showed that the majority of the
voters Of Montana upheld the party in
it's position. To surrender after such a
victory would, it is claimed, not he justi-
fed under the circumstances.
Looking at the situation as 1t exists
to-day, it would seem that to the demo-
cratic members of the legislature the
people Of Montana must look for the
passage of laws which will put the ma
chinery Of the state government into
active operation. The democrats have
working majority Of four in the state
senate. Should two houses be organized
in January, the only and legal senate
will recognize the democratic body. The
two will pass laws and the governor will
sign them. The state auditor, when it
comes to the question OF obeying these
laws, will probably decline to do so
without ruling Of the supreme
court Of the state. II the
judges should decide that the laws
were regularly passed it would be a vir-
tual recognition OF the fact that the
democratic house is the proper and legal
body. Should they decide that the laws
were not properly posed, it would be q
declaration that the democratic house
was not duly constituted body, and
that the verdict Of the people as ex-
pressed at the last election was to 60 for
nothing. It would prevent the enact
ment Of much needed laws, and laws,
not political advantages. arc what the
citizens OF Montana desire just now. Al
together, the democrats appear to have
the best OF the case. They can pass
laws and have them signed whether the
republicans elected to the house partici-
patAor not. Tho republicans can dc
nothing but obstruct and keep the laws
from going on the statute books. So
long a. no political legislation is at
tempted, and only such laws are enacted
as are for the benefit of the whole state,
the people are likely to be with the dem
ocrats. The only political legislation
that was feared by the republicans was
that the Australian ballot law would be
repealed. The way that law worked at
the last election would seem to indicate
that the democrats do not need to take
any such course.
Among the plans that have been sup.
gested for getting some business out OF
the legislature this coming winter Is one
from republican source. It is to have
each party select sixteen members on,
of those whose seats in the house arr
not in question. These thirty-two woule
be more than quorum of fifty-fve, tn,
full membership OF the house, and woult
allow each county equal representation
The idea is to have the choice of speake
decided by toss-up, the losing party t
take the chief clerk, and each to alter
nate with the other officers. In tn
scheme is included an agreement as t
just what laws shall be passed. Tn
equal balance in the house would, it ,
claimed, prevent any party advantages
The plang however, is only an individs
idea, and has not been formally submit,
ted to party council, nor to any on
authorized to speak for the democrat.
Thsre is also . suggestion that the Sil
yer Bow contestants 60 before the pee
pie again for decision.
Tho selection OF the electric liRh
building q meeting place for the lee
islaturs seems to meet with great fave
both On account Of its nearness to Ii
hotels and the court house. and also b,
Hamon ~ thu nf%enmunr,x3eksr,.. TIA.