The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-15
RESPECTFULLY DECLINED.
That Was the Fate Of the Rump
Plan Of Compromise Re-
ceived Yesterday.
Rickards Forgot That He Was
Presiding Over q Demo-
cratic Senate.
Ho was T0olsd In His Attempt to Name
the senats oinmlttee = Demo-
crats DO That.

II was generally understood that the rep
resentatives would yesterday return . def
mite reply to tho proposition Of the Pumps
formulated on the previous evening. AS q
result the lobby was we'll filed when Clerk
Pond looked over the roll and found no
quorum present. A caucus WIS immedi-
asely held and the audience retired into the
big lobby Of the Power building and chat
ted about probable results. The represent
atives in the meantime held 4 brief discus
sion and decided to appoint q committee to
formulate a reply to the proposition. This
was the only business transacted in the eau
Gus. Legislation went IN a. usual whom
the roll Was called, in open session
afterwards and a quorum answered. The
reply to tho offer was presented at the eau
Gus in the afternoon as follows
To Messrs. Boardman, Blair, Blake. Cory,
Eaton, Greer ouRh, Harlan, H%arrington,
Lockray, Loud. Mitchell, Moran, New
corner, Norton, Philips, stebbins, Waite,
Wing, Witter, absent members-elect OF the
house Of representatives of the second leg
~isvatiye assembly Of Montana. gentlemen:
There was delivered by your Mr.. Norton to
the members Of the house OF representa-
tives, a certain communication in the ma
ture of a proposition which communication
we feel entitled to presume-though lacking
positive evidence upon that point, 1t being
signed by five Of your members a. q COM
mittes-originated with you and meets with
your concurrence and approval. The cal-
Gus Of democratic members to whom this
communication was presented, beg leave to
submit to you-for with you alone can they
consistently communicate-the following
response.
suggestions relating to the existing evils
and annoyances arising through present
lack Of legislation, and but for the sake Of
brevity would add other grievances to the
list; but they respectfully and kindly sug-
gest that the danger intimated BY you
ther continuance OF this lack of legislation
are evils purely imaginative, and which do
not in fact exist; that there are now organ
lied in active Legislative actions two bodies,
both senate and q house OF representa-
tives.-each recognizing the other and both
recognized by the governor; from the latter
of which organizations, deeply to our re-
greet, you, gentlemen, see fit to continue to
absent yourselves. The members of this
caucus Gas members of the house who have
taken their oath Of officel have entered an
inter ruptedly upon the discharge of their
duties, and propose, speedily and without
delay Gas they are now engaged in doing in
concurrence with the senate), to enact
just and we'll considered laws that
shall alleviate all of the grievances
you have enumerated, and many Others
beside, and relieve entirely the present ne
cessities of the state in all its branches, leg
i~slative, executive and judicial. Fol the
performance of this labor we are hourly
preparing ourselves by securing needed in
formation, from all available sources, OF
the needs Of the state; and in this task we
would appreciate and be gratified to receive
and profit by. your hearty cooperation and
assistance. We believe that our duties to
our constituents require this of us forth
with, there being no obstacle Of any kind
to prevent its speedy accomplishment. and
we can only express our sincere regret that
you gentlemen, individually or collectively,
should entertain such views Of your duties
to yourselves n your constituents AZ seem
to render necessary any farther absence up
on your part from that body, which, by or
ganization and recognition, is alone capa-
BILE of presently supplying the needs Of the
state and gratifying your constituents de-
mands. Fl. L. FRANK,
Chairman of Democratic Caucus.
j. X. BARRows, Secretary.
Jan. IA, 1891.