The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-08-13
AZ TO ~DELEGATEs.

There will be ne trouble IN the demo-
cratic state convention over the question
OF delegates from the several counties.
In accordance with the understanding
at the meeting Of the state committee IN
Nav. the call has been issued for the
convention to nominate state officers to
assemble in Great Falls on Sept. L.
The counties are at liberty to send the
same delegates that represented them at
Bozeman, or new delegates. as they may
deem best. That is a matter solely
within the province of the county CEN
trail committees. Chairman Collins IN
an interview in the Great Falls Tribune
very clearly and justly states the situa-
ton. He says:
The call was made strictly in accordance
with the resolution adopted at the May
meeting Of the committee. Under the in
structions given BY that committee there
was nothing else for me to do. Their action
bound me. But there was no intention on
the part of the committee. as I understand
its action, 10 interfere with the rights OF
the people of any county to take different
action. The recommendation that one set
of delegates should. serve in both conven-
tions was made in the belief that it would
be- most convenient to the people Of the
several counties. 1t was merely directory,
mot mandatory. In my opinion, if any
county convention, regularly and duly
called. .intsrvenss and rescinds or amends
the action Of any former convention olect-
ing one set of delegates to both conventions,
and elects an entirely new set of delegates
to the Great Falls convention, such action
would be not only proper but final 90 far RS
tho Great Falls convention is concerned.
And I have no h%esitancy in saying that the
state democratic committee would cheer
fully aoceds to the wishes of any county in
this regard. 1t is the very foundation prin-
oipls of democracy that the people shall
rule. Any county which under the former
call elected two sets of delegates-one to
the Bozeman convention and another to the
Great Falls convention, acted within it's
province and its rights, and the delegates
elected to sit in the Great Falls convention
will be given seats. In the same way any
county that may hereafter in its regularly
and legally called county conventions elect
delegates to the Great Falls convention is
entitled to have those delegates recognized.
l hold that the democratic sentiment OF any
county as expressed in it's regular conven-
tion should and must be recognized as de-
cisive SO far as that county il concerned. A
legally called representative county convsn-
ton has the power to decide as to all mat
tiers pertaining to the county. and I do not
conceive that either the state democratic
committee or the state convention will show
any disposition to interfere with the rights
of the counties in that regard. Democrats
are not built that way. They believe that
tho sovereignty is the people.
Some Of the counties prefer that the
old delegates shall serve in the forth
coming convention. The Jefferson
esunty democrats on Wednesday elected
a complete set of new delegates. Old or
new, the delegates will be admitted at
Great Falls without question. The only
thing to be determined is as to the regu-
larity of the credentials and the dele
gates elected, as Mr.. Collins says, at the
last convention held in the county prior
to the meeting of the state convention,
will be admitted.