The Bozeman courier., 1927-12-02

three counties will make the laws for the |
state Of Montana, and the rest Of these
counties will have to live under them.
Urges "Check" on House
'Now a great deal has been said about |
the government being formed by the |
the basis Of the republics; and I say that
these three counties will control for all
time both branches of the legislature Of
Montana I say it is customary
and it is fair and right and proper that
we should at least have a check anCs
something to say about the legislation
that is to take place in the years to come
in the state of Montana. 1 say,
Mr.. President, we are entitled to one
senator from each county and no more.
Let the lower house be apportioned ac-
cording to the voting population, and no
complaint will be heard from any OF the
other outside counties"
The convention adjourned for the day
without bringing the amendment to
vote But on the next day, after Q. r.
Middleton, a Miles City lawyer, represent
/ ing Custer county, had made lengthy
| speech, in which he followed the argu-
ment of Messrs. Field and Joy, made the
day before, the amendment was put to a
vote, with 80 voting for 1T; AZ against IL,
with three absent.
Mr.. Middleton's speech was one of the
most logical given in behalf Of the small
er counties. He said, in part
I'VE heard a great deal in the elo-
quence and oratory Of the gentleman
from Lewis and Clark (Adr. Toole) as to
republican form Of government and pop
ular representation. I believe the gen
tleman knows that IL or 13 counties OF
this territory for the past % years have
| practically stood in the position where
all they had in the legislature was the
bare right of petition; that they had to
come here and kneel down with their
hands raised towards heaven, beg for
anything and everything they got; and
believe if it were in the power Of the
people of Lewis and Clark county-and I
, don't know that that might not be true
of the county that you, Mr.. President
I (W. A. Clark Of Silver Bow, represent
|, they would place Chinese wall around
. these counties and make the counties
of the rest Of the state build 1t and pay
, for it, and put barb wire fence on top
of it, and within that Chinese wall they
! would build all the institutions that the
state of Montana would have, and II they
could they would make the rest OF the
counties pay for them.
/, st do not blame the gentleman from
Lewis and Clark for what he said; and
I do not blame the gentleman for the
: attitude that he assumes here. he rep
resents a people so absolutely selfish that
he is bound on this floor to take the
position that he does, regardless Of what
his conscience may dictate to him; re-
= gardless Of what he may think is right
and fair; and in view of his position 1t
must be confessed that he made an elo-
quent and oratorical effort.
Agricultural Interests Endangered
what is the reason or purpose, or why
should any county demand that 1T stand
on an equal footing with other counties
regardless of population? 1t is, that In
one house Of the legislature 1t may nave
some kind Of chance upon the popular
will. If the city of Helena or the city OF
Butte had 100000 population, upon the
Theory and argument OF the gentleman
/ from Lewis and Clark, it would rule the
state of Montana today. Now, in prtn-
ciple, is that right? Lewis and Clark has
to some extent diversified industries and
interests, but principally its main indus
try is mining. AS to Silver Bow county
that is true; as to Deer Lodge county II
is also true, although they have in con-
nection with that more or less agrtcul-
ture.
''Now, the other counties Of the terri
tory, nature has not to so great an extent
smiled Jlpon. Some of them are engaged
almost entirely in agriculture. The In
terests Of these different counties are dif-
ferent The mining sections demand GER
tain classes Of legislation; the agrtcul-
tural sections require other kinds OF leg
islation; the stock interests require leg
islatiOn to some extent in their interest
Place the entire matter Of both houses
OF this legislature upon basis Of popu-
lar representation and, Mr.. President, you
know that the mining interests and Ine
mining localities and sections Of this
state will forever dictate to the rest Of
the state and to the other industries anc
interests, what legislation they shall have
and what they shall not; and submit
that that is absolutely unfair. I submit
that there should be in one house Of the
legislature a representation based upor
the counties; so that although the popu'
lation house might desire to have every
thing in the interest Of the mining 10
calities, that house could say to them
Gentlemen, you cannot have things YOU
way entirely without conceding some
thing to U.S. ="
Soon after Mr.. Aiddleton's speech (
vote was taken on the amendment t
have 81 senators instead Of 10 and 1
was defeated. Major Martin Maginnis, a
that time identified with the mining In
terests in Lewis and Clark county, thel
notified the convention that he wouls
move to amend the section under debat
by suggesting one senator instead Of le