The new North-west., 1891-01-16
OUR HELENA LETTER.
The Outlook for an Adjustment Growing
Dr1ghter-"Where There's a Will
There's a Way"
Correspondence New Northwest, |

Correspondence New North-West.]
HELENA, Jan. 13.-At this writing the
Montana legislative question at Helena,
and the Indian question at Pine Ridge, are
in the throes of crises, and the combatants |
at either place are liable to either shake |
hands or scalp each other before this letter
reaches Deer Lodge. Well, there's always |
hope in crisis. Things are going to turn |
one way or another quick, and there's
something in that, whichever way it goes.
He, or she, may have been right who wrote:
We need this anguish of suspense
To search our hearts and try our lives,
TIL Faith and not Its proud pretense,
Alone survives.
But as we do not SO particularly need Faith
as Works just now in Montana, I, for one,
would be glad to see this suspense sus-
pended.
XIV
The Republicans made move for it to-
lay-very crcditable to them, for they
believe their position impregnable-an
practically said to the Democrats: "Wc
care willing to meet you half way i'll an
"honorable compromise of our differences
"Now here is our proposition: If it suits
"you, all right; if not, what is yours % I
presume you will publish the proposition,
so need not rccite it here. 1t is fair; it is
a mutual concession, equal by both parties,
involves no humiliation and leaves the two
parties a tie in the House.
The Republicans have taken the initia
! ,rl
to do it They have placed themselves on
record as willing to do anything they can
properly, that Montana may dissipatc the
cloud on her name and have needed lcyis-
lation. There was only slight formal dis
sent to the adoption Of the plan, and there
will be no obstacle if it is accepted. Rep
rcscntativcs Norton, Hoffman, Goodman
Grcenough and Cory were appointed Il
| committee to bring it formally to the no
| tice Of the Democratic members and invite
their action. OF course. much depends on
how they will receive the overture.
think it will not be rejected harshly. There
are secondary matters to be arranged for,
anyhow, and they may offer a substitute
for the main proposition. But ''where
there's will there's 4 way" If the will
exists or developcs 70 adjust this matter the
way will now be found even although
there are obstacles TO overcome. .5 49,.
| ##a
In the first place, know some Of the
Democratic members hold this plan, which
would deprive Silver Bow Of five members
Of the House, is unacceptable for tllat rca-
son. If it should be stipulated that nc
action be taken on the Governors recon-
mcndation to locate the State institutions
at this session, and We all know the Lrgis-
lature will require ali the remaining time
to enact mucl-needcd legislation withou,
having everything turned topsy-turyy by
the wild scramble for constitutions" and il
it shall be further stipulated that no loca
or special legislation effccting Silver Bow
county shall be considered without consent
Of its delegation, and Silver Bow county
shall acccdc to this, will it not be better
than no Legislation at all And will Silver
Bow be rs much "disfranchised" in tht
House by this plan as She is now in the
Senate by the terms of the Constitution
4 understand Democratic members Of til,
House suggest that, aside from the fifty
members provided for III the Republican
plan, the Democrats and Republicans shal
each name two more members from thu
contestants, +ho. +l.~.. ----- L>~...e,,,
and one more Republican shall draw cut
for the fifty-tifth seat, and that these mem
bcrs shall be sworn in. .n5E
,sa4
A difficulty about this is that it woule
compel the Republicans, so far as thes4
two or three members are concerned, {;
rcpudate the decision of the Supreme
Court in regard to certificates Of election
They cannot do this. That is one of The
impossible things, and the Democrats can
the law of the land, and they would b.
poor law makers who would not obey thu
laws. hope in my next weeks letter tt
be able to rejoice with your readers. ant
all good people of Montana, that the rep
rcscntatives Of the Legislative Assembly d
Montana, in spirit and with a rcsolr,
that shall trcbly cntitle them to the thank
of all Montana, have by agreement ant
stipulation, resolved themselves into
body, the legality Of which is un
questionable, and with good will and car
nestncss are cooperating with the Scnat
and Governor in enacting needed laws fo
Montana. We have had "rackct' enough
'let us have peace"
TIE COMPROMISE OFFER REJECTED-rAI.I