The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-07

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pAry INDEPENDENT on file at their favorite
hotels: Fifth Avenue and Metropolitan, New
York; West, Minneapolis: baldwin and faiace,
San Francisco; McDermott, Butte; Leland Hotel,
Springfield. III.
THE CONNECTICUT DEADLOCK.
The methods Of the republican repre-
s~entatives in the Connecticut legisla-
lure indicate that they have formed
themselves into a state stealing trust,
the popular vote to the contrary not
w%ithstanding. With the characteristic
~tenacity Of their party they propose to
hang on until the ~populace arises in it's
wrath and takes charge OF the state
building. Like their brethren in other
states they believe that the divine right
of kings also includes the party OF
.high moral IDEAS" If by chance the
people do not agree to this theory 1T is
regarded as but simple justice to steal
what they cannot fairly win. This
theory of self government is held as the
first dictum of republican principles
from Connecticut to Montana, for it's
political thieves are confined to no one
section Of the country. The well-versed
student in American politics would look
at Connecticut as the last state to har-
Dor state h~ighwaymen. When oppres-
sion had rendered life a burden to the
more liberal settlers of the Massachu-
setts colony they went to Connecticut
and there established a government OF
political and religious freedom. They
adopted a charter that was almost radi-
cal as people looked at matters then,
and later even more liberal moditica-
tions we're introduced. But the theory
OF self-government was not developed
and since then M election system that
is a fair relic of feudallsm has been
maintained. Thus far it has been I'M
possible to make a change because it
would endanger the position of the re-
publican party in the state. This
wretched legal antiquity is partly re-
sponsible for the deadlock existing in
the legislature, though the trouble
could be easily settled If republican ras-
Cdllby~ CONlS 10 AhOh VI
forts in defeating the will of the people
should call forth nothing but the heart
lest condemnation.
The body of the present state consti
tuition was formed ir 1862, and ives Sc
cured by Charles II. Of England by Gov
ernor Winthrop. The last change wal
in 1918, when full religious liberty wal
secured. The most interesting provi
sion is that which requires a clear ma
jority OF all votes cast to secure an cleo
ton. If in the election of a state Officer
a plurality only is secured the election
is thrown into the state legislature. II
has thus often happened that democratic
officers elected have failed to secure
seats by reason of this clause. But the
people at large would at least have {
chance here were it not for another
provision equally obnoxious. The popu
lar vote is not considered in the appor
tionment of Representatives. The state i:
divided into towns and each town has al
least one representative, but not more
than two. For instance one town il
which but ninety-siX votes were cas-
has two representatives, while the cit,
of New Haven which polled over 1900
votes is represented by the same nun
Der. There are 257 members in thu
house and OF this number, but twenty
tain by the last census more than one
half the population of the state. Thu
minority population is represented. b.
225 members. In this way the demo
cratic vote which is conferred in tn
large cites is DISTINGUISHED. The re
publicans will not change this system t
a fair apportionment because they vii
endanger their power in the house
This year Connecticut fell in with tn
procession and elected every democrati
state officer by a majority and also gay
the democrats a majority OF ten IN TIL
senate. When the votes were canyasse
it was found that Mr.. Morris, the dem'
cratic candidate for governor, had
Majority of twenty-six votes, and I'll
result was so returned by a republica
canvassing board. The law on the sui
iect comes direct from the old chart,
that was hid in the famous oak and
as follows:
"a fair list of the persons and nun
Der of votes given for each, togeth'
with the returns OF the presidir
officers, shall be .(by the canvasslr
board) made and laid before the gener
assembly then next to be holden on Il
irst day Of the session thereof; al
said assembly shall, after examinatic
OF the same, declare the persons who
they shall find to be legally chosen"
It was therefore mandatory upon Il
legislature to declare the officers elect,
upon receipt of the %canvassed return
The senate so declared, but the hou
went to work to cut majorities
p~luralities and throw out the office
elected except the state treasurer.
republican investigation committee W
appointed and republican witness
alone were examined. The senate
fuses to endorse this action or TO
ceive communications from G,
Buckley, who still occupies the pls
belonging to Mr.. Morris. The legis
ture is thus tightly deadlocked with
means of solution at hand unless I
house %withdraws from it's illegal Il