The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-11-04
NO EXTRA SESSION.

The silliest suggestion vet made re-
epecting the subject of Montana's repre-
eentation at the st. Louis exposition is
extra session in order that the necessary
Appropriation Of money may be made.
One newspaper has gone to the extent
OF interrogating each member of the
legislature as to whether he would agree
TO serve during the extra session. free OF
charge to the state, and pay his own
travelling expenses. Nearly all the men,
bers responded aftirmatively, and the
governor is now reported TO have under
consideration the matter of issuing the
Call.
There is neither occasion nor demand
Tor an extra session of the Montana
legislature at this time for the purpose
stated. Not dozen prominent citizens
Of the state desire an extra session. The
labor organizations of the state have not
said a word in favor Of it. Many coun-
Ties Of the state could gain no possible
advantage from Montana exhibit at
st. Louis and object to being taxed for
any proportion Of the expense. The
of Montana products are those which
desire to call attention to their fruits,
grains and minerals or real estate in
Nestments, and it is the belief Of the
average taxpayer that the men who ex-
pect most Of the benefits Of such adyer-
Using should contribute most of the ex-
pense. Many good men, however, believe
In an equalization of the expense through
general taxation, but their suggestion is
shat the commissioners of such counties
rs desire an exhibit at St. Louis appro-
pirate part of the funds required, after
THE rich men and corporations have first
contributed to the general fund.
In any event. there is no demand or
excuse for an extra session of the legis-
nature. The clause of the state consti-
tuition giving the governor power to
specify in his official call the subjects
to be legislated upon and declaring all
other legislation unconstitutional would
not be likely to prevent an expensive and
disastrous flood Of legislative measures
which, if once enacted into law, would
require months and perhaps years before
being acted upon by the supreme cour,
and declared unconstitutional. The
agreement of the members to donate
their services to the state might be car.
ried out by some of them, but there are
others who are not financially able t.
meet the expense of stay in Helena.
That there are many patriotic an6
OF This state the Inter Mountain assert:
wi pride and emphasis, but the record
which the majority made last winter /!
not one which the people of Montana
desire to see repeated. The proposition
OF an extra session is full of grav
danger to the state. The people do no
ask for an extra session. The miners
the farmers, the business men Of tn
state have expressed no desire for a.
extra session in view of it's possibilitie
OF embarrassment. Even the people o
Helena have not asked the governor t
ruin his administration by calling tn
legislators in extra session.
Perhaps the strongest argumen
against the proposed folly is that ther
Is no money available for the purpos
designated. Every consideration Of prr
dance and economy demands that n
extra session be held. If it We're he'll,
the outcome would be a political jo
from which few officeholders wou
secure soft" positions at eXtravagal
salaries, and the common people of IL
state would be stuck for the eXpens
MISS STONES FATE,