The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-23
Representatives In Caucus Make Two
Propositions for Rumps to
Choose From.
Hither Opens the Way for a Speedy
aud Fair Settlement Of
Affairs.
4 General Belief that 10th Houses Will
Get Together Withia = Few
Days.

DkuDObOA ~S -
talked about in Legislative circles. The Of
fer was received by the republicans with
much satisfaction and IL was evident that
with slight changes the settlement would
be brought about on this basis. Minor de-
tails will undoubtedly be arranged to tho
satisfaction of all whom tac committees
meet for further discussion. II the present
disposition among the legislators prevails
the two houses will get together not later
than Monday. II il to be regretted that the
republican house adjourned Yesterday until
tomorrow and it is probable that 4 quorum
will not BIO secured then. The Silver Bow
contestants are entitled to the thanks OF
the whole state for their manly conduct in
giving away personal interests for the good
o. the commonwealth. Soon after the
rump house got together yesterday morn
ing, Representatives Toole, Wallace,
Twohy, Beach and Clark, tho democratic
caucus committee, appeared with the COM
promise proposition gotten up by their
members. Cory, Norton, Hoffman,
Goodman and Wing. tthe latter
having been substituted for Greenough),
the rump caucus committee, retired to one
Of the side rooms with the democratic
representatives, where the matter was fully
discussed. The democrats presented their
plan. which. as already published, proposed
that the house meet with t~wenty-eight re-
publicans and twenty-seven democrats, the
latter to have the speaker and other Of
fccrs; that the employees OF both houses at
the last session be paid for their services,
and those Of the present session receive
compensation up to the time their services
are dispensed with; and that provision be
made for paving the three democratic con-
testsuts from Silver Bow and the two re-
pubIicans who are left out in the deal. The
republicans objected to the part OF the pro
ORGANIZATION. They said that this would
approve the journal OF the democratic
house and recognize that body as
on the first Monday in January,
and at the same time discredit their own
organization. They oferedto ACCEPT the
20 to q part OF the agreement and give the
and the c~hairmanghips OF the committees
we're evenly divided between the two parties
and an entire new journal started. They
agreed to all the other points.
The house held Two caucuses, the first in
the afternoon and the other in the evening.
Nothing was determined upon in the after
UOONs yOI tnG pAbS ObAS - ObS IVY
resentatives supposed the republican COM
mittee had resolved on a compromise by
which they could have q majority, hold the
organization except the speakership and
have many of the committee chairman
ships. The situation appeared clearer at
the evening caucus, when a line OF action
was. determined Upon. Nearly all of the
representatives were present and took part
in the discussion. Two propositions were
determined upon.
The first, proposed by Representative J.
r. Toole and submitted to the democratic
caucus, is as follows:
Be it resolved, That it ID the sense of this
caucus that q committee of five be appoint
ed to confer with the republican members
of this house for the purpose OF Offering an
adjustment OH the following basis: The re-
publicans shall hoose throe out of five con-
testants from Silver Bow, and ths demo-
Gratis shall choose two out OF the five con-
testants on their side. These five shall be
entitled to seats, the republicans to agree
to abide by the pI esent organization OF the
democratic house, and to agree to an ap-
preparation to pay the salaries and expenses
of the democratic house and employees for
the last session of the legislature, and also
the salary of the contestants on both sides
during the present session; and any other
minor details that may be arranged by the
committee.
The alternative proposition differs from
the first in the wording and also in fixing
the status of the committees by giving the
democrats the majority membership. The
proposition is as follows:
We agree to an adjustment upon the fol-
lowing basis to continue for the period for
which the present house of Representatives
WAS elected: Each party to have its wen
ty-fye members about whose election there
is no controversy. The republicans to Sc
lect three of their five claimants and the
democrats two of their five claimants. The
house would then stand tw~enty-eight re-
publicans and tw%enty-seven democrats.
The democrats to have their speaker and
attaches and a majority Of the membership
of all the standing committees. The house
to meet at the room designated by the gov
ern0r and secretary. We further recon-
mend payment of mileage and per diem to
all members. including the contestants.
both for the first and second sessions of the
legislative assembly of the state of Mon
lana. We also recommend that the at
taches of both houses of the first session
and goth bouses of this session be paid for
their services by provisions of law to be
hereafter enacted.
Harlan's bill for a reapportionment of the
state for legislative purposes WAS reported
back to the rump house with a recommen-
dation that it be passed. 1t makes the ra-
ito Of representation one member of the
house to every 2,4Oo people counted by the
last federal census. The membership OF
the house from the following counties are
left unchanged: Beayerhead 2, Madison 2
Gailatin 2. Jefferson 2, Lewis and Clarke s
Choteau 2, Meagher 2, Silver Bow %, Cus-
ter 2, Yellowstone l and Jefferson and Gal.
latin jointly one. Nissouln il increased
from 5 to 6, and Park and Cascade eact
from 2 0 8. Deer Lodge is reduced from
z to 6. and Fergus from 2 to /. The join.
representative from Beayerhead and Deer
Lodge and the one from Deer Lodge and
Cascade are dropped, and one added from
Fergus and Cascade.
Speaker Witter, of the rump house, re.
eeiyed a dispatch yesterday announcing the
serious illness of his wife, and requesting
him to come home at once. He asked anc
obtained permission to be away for an in
definite period and left in the afternoon
Loud, OF Custer, was chosen to presid,
during Writer'S absence.
The senate did nothing whatever. Al
soon as the journal was read a recess Wal
taken until two O'Clock. At that hour ther.
was no business on hand. and after receiy
ing a petition from Missoula the senate ad.
iourned. The petition asked that th
school landso of the state be leased and no
sold.
The rump house has adjourned over l.
Tour O'Clock tomorrow afternoon. As n,
quorum is expected then they will adjourn
until Monday.