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Montana Constitution Revision Commission Records , 1969-1971

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Montana Constitution Revision Commission
Title
Montana Constitution Revision Commission Records
Dates
1969-1971 (inclusive)
Quantity
.7 linear feet of shelf space
Collection Number
RS 20
Summary
These Montana Constitution Revision Commission records (1969-1971) consist of correspondence, minutes, subject files, writings, reports, news releases, organizational materials, and miscellany including public service announcements re Ref. 67. [See MM 35 for recording].
Repository
Montana Historical Society, Library and Archives
Montana Historical Society, Library and Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 406-444-2681
Fax: 406-444-5297
mthslibrary@mt.gov
Access Restrictions

Collection open for research.

Languages
English
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Historical Note

The Montana Constitution Revision Commission was created by the state's 41st Legislative Assembly on April 1, 1969, to "conduct a detailed study of the Montana Constitution, [and] compile factual data on whether the constitution impairs effective state government." The Commission membership numbered sixteen with four each being appointed by the governor, the Supreme Court, the Senate Committee on Committees, and the speaker of the House. Senator John K. McDonald was chairman of the Commission and Representative James E. Murphy served as vice chairman. Dale A. Harris was administrative assistant and executive director for the Commission.

It was recommended by the Commission that a constitutional convention be called as the most desirable method for changing the constitution. In order to accomplish this, the Commission prepared a constitutional convention enabling act, Referendum 67, which was presented to the voters at the November 3, 1970, general election.

A public information program was initiated by the Commission to promote passage of Referendum 67. This included an advertising campaign, working with various organizations (such as the Montana Education Association and the League of Women Voters of Montana) around the state to pass resolutions supporting the referendum, and the creation of the Montana Constitutional Convention Committee. This Committee, chaired by James R. Felt of Billings, was a private organization which promoted a constitutional convention through a network of county committees.

Referendum 67 was approved by the electorate by a two-thirds vote and the 42nd Legislative Assembly adopted the enabling act. The constitutional convention was convened on November 29, 1971.

The Montana Constitution Revision Commission ceased to function on March 31, 1971.

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Content Description

The records of the Montana Constitution Revision Commission include general correspondence; interoffice correspondence among members of the Commission; financial records; minutes of Commission meetings; news releases; organizational materials such as objectives and member information; reports from the administrative assistant and the legislature; speeches and writings prepared by the Commission for use during the promotional campaign; subject files for the League of Women Voters, Montana Constitutional Convention Committee, Referendum 67 campaign, etc.; and miscellany including mailing lists, recommendations, resolutions and proclamations. Printed materials and artifacts were transferred to the Library and Museum respectively.

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Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Use

Researchers must use collection in accordance with the policies of the Montana Historical Society. The Society does not necessarily hold copyright to all materials in the collection. In some cases permission for use may require additional authorization from the copyright owners. For more information contact an archivist.

Preferred Citation

Item description and date. Collection Title. Collection Number. Box and Folder numbers. Montana Historical Society Research Center, Archives, Helena, Montana.

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Administrative Information

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by series

Location of Collection

17:7-1

Acquisition Information

Acquisition information available upon request.

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Detailed Description of the Collection

Detailed Description of the Collection

The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection

  • General Correspondence

    • Description: Miscellaneous (correspondents include Albert L. Sturm and Mike Mansfield)
      Dates: 1965, 1968-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 1
      Location: General Correspondence
    • Description: Miscellaneous (correspondents include Forrest H. Anderson, John L. McKeon, Montana Education Association, Thomas L. Judge, Albert L. Sturm, Robert Sidman, Montana Taxpayers Association, and Frank Murray)
      Dates: 1970-1971, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 2
      Location: General Correspondence

  • Interoffice Correspondence

    • Description: Miscellaneous (correspondents include Donald L. Sorte and Dale A. Harris re Commission meetings)
      Dates: 1969-1971
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 3
      Location: Interoffice Correspondence

  • Financial Records

    • Description: Budgets, expenses, salary schedules
      Dates: 1969-1971
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 4
      Location: Financial Records

  • Minutes

    • Description: Minutes (includes presentations to Commission meetings by David Mason, Ellis Waldron, and Albert Sturm)
      Dates: 1969-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 5
      Location: Minutes

  • News Releases

    • Description: Press releases
      Dates: 1969-1970, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 6
      Location: News Releases

  • Organization

    • Description: Membership lists and biographical information
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 7
      Location: Organization
    • Description: "Objectives and Methods of Procedure"
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 8
      Location: Organization

  • Printed Material

    • Description: List of printed material transferred to the Library
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 9
      Location: Printed Material

  • Reports

    • Description: Administrative assistant
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 10
      Location: Reports
    • Description: Legislative reports and revisions of constitutional articles
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 11
      Location: Reports

  • Speeches

    • Description: Miscellaneous
      Dates: 1970, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 12
      Location: Speeches

  • Subject Files

    • Description: The Jacobson Agency (advertising campaign)
      Dates: 1970, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 13
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: League of Women Voters of Montana
      Dates: 1969-1970
      Container: Box/Folder 1 / 14
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Legislation (providing for Legislative Council study of constitution, reorganization of executive branch, creation of Montana Constitution Revision Commission, constitutional convention amendment on ballot)
      Dates: 1969
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 1
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Montana Constitutional Convention Committee
      Dates: 1970-1971
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 2
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Referendum 67 campaign [See MM35 Public Service Ads sponsored by the League of Women Voters re Ref. 67]
      Dates: 1970, undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 3
      Location: Subject Files
    • Description: Speakers bureau (includes list of speaking engagements)
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 4
      Location: Subject Files

  • Writings

    • Description: "Issues for a Constitutional Convention"; "Why We Need a Consitutional Convention"; "A Sketch of Montana's Constitutional History"; "What Is a Convention?"; "So What's Wrong with the Constitution?"; "The Montana Constitution: Resource or Burden?"
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 5
      Location: Writings

  • Miscellany

    • Description: Envelope, forms
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 6
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: List of artifacts tranferred to the Museum
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 7
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: Mailing lists
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 8
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: Recommendations (public education campaign, school activities, etc.)
      Dates: undated
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 9
      Location: Miscellany
    • Description: Resolutions and proclamations ("Constitutional Modernization," "Constitution Day," groups supporting Referendum 67)
      Dates: 1970
      Container: Box/Folder 2 / 10
      Location: Miscellany

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Constitutional conventions--Montana
  • Government reorganization--Montana

Finding aid prepared by MHS Staff
2004

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