The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1903-11-06
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6. 1908.
AN EXTRA SESSION.

III every COIuel vi tHe Sldte petl-
tons are being signed asking the gov
ernor to call an extra session of the
legislature for the purpose of finding
a remedy for the present industrial
blight that has overtaken the state.
From a business standpoint an ex-
ira session seems to be the proper
thing, for the entire cost of six day
session would be but a little over
$1,000. less than fifty cents each for
out Of work. while the loss in wages
10 this army of men amounts to $50
000 for each day of idleness.
II is estimated that at least sixty
days will be required to reach the
NacC1inniSs case in the supreme
court and the loss in wages in that
length OF time, if the mines are idle.
Will amount to s3,OO0,OOO. Besides
the direct loss of this amount to the
the loss to merchants and others who
must depend upon the wage Garner
for business. nor does the loss stop
at the door of the merchant, for it
reaches ,Ie lumberman the farmer
and practically every person in the
state. In view of these facts it would
seem that Governor Toole shOL.A
have no hesitation whatever in call
ing an extra session. but there are
other questions which he must con
slider ana settle one way or another
before deciding the question Of an
extra session. and. plainly stated,
these questions are about as follows:
First--Ts the demand for an extra
session being made in the interest of
the entire state or for the benefit of
those who want some special privi-
lege?
Second--(f convened in extraordi-
nary session will the lawmakers per
form the work for which they are
called together. or will the session be
pioioiiSCu ~ d id'lioi"i o'iuSSic.
Third-Can the legislature find a
remedy that will not be in conflict
with the state constitution?
Fourth-If such law is passed
will operations be resumed in the
mines and shelters?
AS to the first question it is suln-
cient to say that any law which en-
ables the mines and smelters to re-
sumo will benefit every person in the
state and will apply impartially to
The corporations controlled by Mr..
Heinze as we'll as to those operated
ny the Amalgamated and can operate
as special privilege to no person or
corporation.
The second question is answered
by the statement that no man has a
right to shirk a duty because he as
sumes that some one else will fail in
the performance of another duty.
When the extra session is convened
the responsibility will be lifted from
the shoulders of the governor and
placed upon those of the lawmakers.
The third question is a matter of
Jaw Of which the governor is well
qualified to judge. With the decision
Of the supreme court in the Fair
Trial" bill of the last session as a
guide it would seem that the mis-
takes made in the former bill might
be avoided. if indeed some other
form of legislation might not be as
effective as a fair trial law.
AS to the fourth question there can
be no doubt about the starting of lue
mines in the event of favorable legis
lation, for Mr. Scallon. head of tn,
Amalgamated in Montana, has stated
over his own signature that in tn,
event of legislation being passed in
surfing fair judges in district courts
and the review of the facts in eQuit,
cases, by the supreme court, opera
tons in mines and smelters woult
thereupon be resumed, and those VIII
know VIM. Scallon know that hi
word is as good as gold.
While there are other questions t
be considered they are of minor in
portance and do not weigh again:
the necessities of the people.
The demand for an extra session
well nigh unanimous and if he woul
refuse the demand the governors o
ly excuse must be upon the grour
that the proposed laws would be II
constitutional. But of what cons
Quence is even the constitution itse
to the man who is hungry. Let Il
governor fill his belly with the husl
that some of the laboring men mu
eat and his brain will fail to dist
guish those technical requirfemen
of the constitution which so maj