The proposition was made by one prominent individualist newspaper to issue treasury notes to circulate as money, but this was at once declared impracticable as being an encroachment upon the authority of the Federal government to coin money and the provision of the Federal constitution prohibiting the emission by the states of bills of credit. Turning then to state-bank issues the individualist found no encouragement from that quarter, as he was confronted by the Federal tax of ten per cent of such issues. Be it noted, however, that some of the bankers were inclined to favor the issue of state-bank notes and strongly advised that it be done, arguing that it was better to have money with the ten per cent tax rather than no money at all. But the administration simply declared that Co-operators did not feel the scarcity of money and a far better plan than any proposed would doubtless be discovered.
The Legislature remained in session just thirty days. Very few new laws were enacted. Of those which were enacted, the reduction of all salaries of public officials one-half, the law providing for a constitutional convention, the delegates to which were to have no compensation except traveling expenses, the abolition of several offices, such as insurance commissioner, labor commissioner, etc., the repeal of the law authorizing corporations and the enactment of a law respecting the organization of Co-operative Associations and their regulation, were the most important. Some appropriations were made, but it was admitted to be one of the most economical sessions ever held by any legislative body, so far as results to the state were concerned. The law reducing salaries one-half, although not strictly applicable to existing officials, was effective because all Co-operators in office willingly complied with it, and that general compliance influenced individualists to do likewise.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION AND ITS LABORS.
The constitutional convention was set for July 4th, 1903 at Co-opolis. The election was held two weeks before that time. Few individualists were anxious to become delegates because the honor was unaccompanied by compensation, and for the further reason the majority of Co-operators was now overwhelming. The result was that the same proportion of Co-operators obtained in the convention as in the Legislature and it was evident that the progress of the Co-operative Commonwealth would be carried out. When the convention met it was called to order by the Governor, a portion of whose address on that occasion is well worthy of repetition. After tracing briefly the history of Co-opolis and the Brotherhood of the Co-operative Commonwealth, in glowing language, he took up the question of the Co-operative Constitution and said:
“Gentlemen: You are the men in whose wisdom the state of Idaho confides and upon whose action here the fate of unknown generations hangs. I would not presume to advise you with regard to your all-important mission, but I shall ask permission to offer, with the greatest humility and with all respect for your high intelligence, a few simple suggestions.
“The burden of all I have to say can be aptly phrased in the somewhat homely language borrowed from the street. Do not put your state in a ‘strait jacket.’ Do not think it necessary to prohibit, restrict, define and dogmatize when you come to make your constitution.
“When you have provided a system of state government and made clean and emphatic the boundaries of executive, legislative and judicial power, consider that you have completed your work. Do not undertake to guard the inalienable rights of man by introducing details, methods and systems into your constitution. Leave all that to the common sense and common justice of the people. Let your Legislature dominate both the executive and judiciary. That body is designed, or should be, to express the popular will. The judiciary is designed to interpret that will as expressed. The executive is to carry that will into effect.”
The Governor’s address did not advance further into the province of the convention. He spoke, for the most part, in a merry vein, as if he felt that even if the success of his work was not yet achieved it had nearly passed the stage of experimentation, and when he concluded the convention, while impressed with the importance of its great mission, appeared to share in their leader’s satisfaction.
The convention continued in session one week. The result of its work was a constitution, brief, clear and simple. It provided for executive and legislative departments. No judiciary was provided for. It prescribed the duties of the executive department and provided for its branches. The first Governor of Idaho was to hold office for a period of three years and all Governors succeeding for seven years each. He was the chief executive of the state and his duty was to see that the law was enforced.
There were to be a Secretary of State, State Auditor, State Treasurer, Attorney-General and Secretary of Co-operative Industries. The duties of these several officials were such as ordinarily attached to such officials, except that of Secretary of Co-operative Industries. It was the duty of this official to keep a full record of all Co-operative Associations in the state, their rules and by-laws, and to use his best endeavors to bring about a complete union of all under one head. He was also to be the active general of the militia of the state and superintend all operations of that body, subject to the order of the Governor. The Great Council possessed all legislative and judicial power. The legislative power could not be delegated, but was restricted and controlled by the people as follows: When twenty per cent of the voting population of the state should petition to have any law, whether on the statute books or not, submitted to popular vote, the Governor’s duty was to submit it at the annual election held in October of each year.