Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-05
Resolution Providing for
Constitutional Convention
Is Introduced in Both
Houses of the Legislature,
Signed by Many Members.
OPPOSITION TO THE
PLAN IS DEVELOPING
Ada and Canyon Counties
Lead in the Fight Against
Proposal, While Northern
and Southeastern Mem
bers Support It.

The fight to create a new state out
of northern Idaho is on. t was launch =
ed in both houses of the legislature
with the introduction of resolutions
signed by many senators and repre-
sentatives, which seek to place that
body on record as favorng secession.
The same resolutions would convene a
constitutional convention at the city
OF Moscow in the north, June 10, 1917,
for the purpose OF framing q constitu-
ton for the proposed, and as yet un-
named, new state.
Clear evidence that the movement
for secession is going to start a fight
In the present legislature that may
wage on the bitter before 1t is finished
and the resolutions disposed Of, was
apparent when it wdas instituted in
the house of representatives. Repre-
sentative Dean Driscoll of Ada county
scrviced notice on those behind the
division plan he would fight to a fin
ish' any attempt to divide the state.
Following Representative Young of
Ada, who objected to unanimous con-
sent TO send the house division reso-
luton directly to the printing COM
mittee. Driscoll also objected and
made 1t plain where he stood on the
matter. Not an Ada or Canyon coun-
~ member of the house stands spon-
sor for the measure. 1t has the back
ing, however, of many influential
members. and MCGOWAN of Latah sue
ceeded in going over the heads of
Young and Driscoll to get the resolu-
ton printed Immediately.
RESOLUTIONS CARRY WEIGHT.
These two resolutions as they ap-
peared in both branches of the legis-
lature today, are identical and carry
much moro weight than if they were
only memorials. This Is apparent at
glance when section of article 4 of
the constitution of the United States
is consulted. This section is as fol-
lows
New states may be admitted by the
congress into the union; but no new
state shall be formed or erected with
In the jurisdiction Of any other state;
nor any state be formed by the juno
ton of two or more state, without the
consent of the legislatures OF the states
concerned as well as of congress-"
TITLE AND SPONSORS.
bN itSoIutlDIlS idu1lCHeu III DOtn
houses bear the following title:
Granting the consent of the legis-
laturo of the state of Idaho that there
be erected and granted by the con-
gress OF The United States of America
OF a new state from a portion of the
territory of the state of Idaho. defip
Ing the boundaries, providing for the
holding of constitutional convention
ton of delegates thereto and petition
Ing congress for the admission of such
state into the union"
In the house this resolution bears
the signatures of the following repre-
sentatives: Moody, MCGOWAN, Daugh- |
tiers, Shearer. Hitchcock, Miles, Alfred,
anderson, Kent, Seymour, Smith. Bob |
man, Giles, Baltic, Hussman, Kiger. |
IaForest, Quinlan, Grice, Lewis, Bar
ker, Lehrbas, Jones. Richards, Collin,
Sims. Cowles, Anderson, Struthers,
Kribs, Thatcher, Cannon, Goehry, Nc
Mallan, Barry. McGowan, Findlay.
The names Of the following senators
are attached to the resolution in the |
senate: Lewis, Randall. Wilson, Grant,
Pettibone Mitchell. Stevenson, jack |
son. Walker. Kinsolving. briggs, |
Evans. Pincock, Hill, Bradbury. Ather-
ton, Baker, Evans, Logue. Shields.
CONDITIONS DIVIDE STATE.
The preamble OF the resolution sets |
forth that the new state is necessary |
because of the geog IA phical conditions
dividing north and south Idaho, the |
high CONTAINS and deep canyons d. |
Nidins the state into TWO distinct por-
lions; because the southern section is |
arid; the north is humid; that because |
or these physical differences the eli |
mate Industries, etc, and the thought |
OF the people living in these separate
sections are of different character:
and that for many years to come all
Likelihood of this growing together of
these separate sections. by reason of
the settlement and private occupation
OF the adaptable portions of this divid-
Ing barrier of mountains and canyons,
is removed by it's inclusion within the
national forests; that the barrier pre-
vents direct communication by rail-
roads and highways; that the people Of
one section of the state are unable to
appreciate the problems and necessities
OF the other; that because OF this mis-
understanding cross purposes are en-
gendered and the common sympathy
which is necessary for the proper de-
velopment of the state as whole is
1eopardized; that these differences will
grow and become intensified and de-
plorable"
IL Is recited that portion seeking ad-
mission into the union as u separate /
state has a population of approx