The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-03-21
Records of the Convention.

the constitution upon which the laws of the State
of Idaho were to be based the stenographic notes
of the proceedings of the convention have remained
uninterrupted and the most important part of the
history of Idaho is concealed therein.
It is understood that the notes to be tran-
scribed for the information of the Supreme Court
and if patriotic legislature, free from Mormon
control is secured at the next election, the proceed
ings and the debates will probably be printed and
placed within reach of the people.
The debates in all constitutional conventions
considered high authority in legal and judicial cir
cles as they throw light the intentions of the
conventions in relation to provisions that are some
what obscure, and the intentions of convention
are always a guide in the judicial Interpretation OF
the product of the conventions labors.
The only available record of the work OF the
Idaho constitutional convention OF 1889 is found IN
the columns of the Boise Statesman of that period.
A representative of the Salt Lake Tribune went
through the files of that paper last week and eX-
tracted therefrom ample evidence that, when the
constitutional convention adopted the test oath 1t
was the avowed purpose of that body to forever
disfranchse every polygamst and teacher and abet-
tor of polygany in Idaho
There was sharp discussion over that feature Of
the constitution. There were two reports from
the committee on suffrage, but the test oath as it
II
vote of SO to 49, the date of its passage being July
90 1889 The Statesman of the next day said;
The convention met the Mormon question with
the most decisive and extreme remedy suggested
And that was right Mormonism and free State
cannot both live in Idaho, wide as are Our DorderS,
If we purpose to dwell hereto build State 1or
ourselves and Our children-we must, at the start
let this monstrous combination OF ignorance anu
knavery understand that it is to have no vote 81
voice in the work. The government that we SET
,,toIt1c n
within our boundaries. No revelations, no matter
their source coming from the lying lips of echerouS
priests are to be received here as superior TO the
enactments of statute books
1t was monstrous danger which confronted ouI
State at the start and our delegates have met IL
like men and the people will solidy stand by Them
The Boise Statesman strong in those days
on the side of the right. 1t is now SILENT although
the issue has lost none of its Importance. Inc
party that it represents has endorsed the th1g tdt
The Statesman said monstrous and Whe THAT
naner refuses to defend the course taken by the
party, it does not cry out against an alliance
knows to be unholy This is to be regretted, tor
The Statesman could be of great help to the cause
it once so ably endorsed The tyranny OF party is
sometimes so great that it ought to be broken away
from.
The action of the constitutional convention OF
1889 was ratified bv the people almost UNANIMOUSLY
the majority being $4,000 in vote OF l5'ooo. liel0
was no party division on the question OF poygdnly
in those days. That has come about through tle
ability of the Salt Lake hierarchy to deal success
fully with party machines, the voting members %
the nartv sustaining the action of the bosses, though
it is believed with very great reluctance.
The account of the Salt Lake Tribune proceeds
as follows:
It is an easily ascertainable fact that July TO- 1852
T. T. Morgan, Republican delegate to the const1tu
tiona1 convention from Bingham County, most G plt
terlv denounced the Mormon church ana Cdneu az