Montana Constitutional Convention (1884) Records, 1884
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Montana Constitutional Convention (1884)
- Title
- Montana Constitutional Convention (1884) Records
- Dates
- 1884 (inclusive)18841884
- Quantity
- 1.75 linear feet of shelf space
- Collection Number
- RS 147
- Summary
- These Montana Constitutional Convention records (1884) consist of minutes, shorthand records and transcriptions of daily proceedings, committee reports, oaths of office, motions, petitions, resolutions, amendments, membership cards, payrolls, attendance lists, payrolls, etc. (Same as State Microfilm 39.)
- Repository
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Montana Historical Society, Library & Archives
Montana Historical Society Research Center Archives
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT
59620-1201
Telephone: 4064442681
Fax: 4064445297
mhslibrary@mt.gov - Access Restrictions
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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.
Historical Note
The Territory of Montana was created by the U.S. Congress on May 26, 1864. In 1866 a constitution was written by Montana residents, but it was never submitted to Congress. Then, in 1883, the Thirteenth Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Montana authorized an election in November 1883 to select delegates to attend a constitutional convention in Helena the following January. Delegates were elected from existing counties and judicial districts. William A. Clark was elected president of the convention. The 1884 Constitution was approved by popular vote of territorial residents. However, this constitution did not receive approval of the U.S. Congress because the majority in Congress belonged to the Republican Party and the voters of Montana Territory had elected primarily Democratic officials. On February 22, 1889, President Grover Cleveland signed enabling legislation known as the Omnibus Statehood Bill providing for constitutional conventions to be called on July 4, 1889, in Montana, Washington, and North and South Dakota territories. The 1889 Constitution, based largely on the earlier effort in 1884, was approved by Congress and Montana became the forty-first state on November 8, 1889.
Content Description
The records of the 1884 Constitutional Convention include payrolls for convention members and employees; attendance lists; minute book of daily sessions (transcribed); original minutes of daily sessions (includes some correspondence, motions, resolutions, amendments, and committee reports); daily proceedings taken in Pittman shorthand arranged by day; transcriptions of proceedings arranged by day; committee reports; oaths of office; membership cards; petitions; and rules, motions, amendments, and resolutions.
Use of the Collection
Alternative Forms Available
The collection is also available on Microfilm (MHS call number SMF 39).
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.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection
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Minutes
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Description: Minute bookDates: 1884 January-FebruaryContainer: Box/Folder 1 / 1
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Description: Minutes: 1st-27th days [3rd, 7th, 14th, 21st days missing; 23rd day includes speech by Joseph K. Toole]Dates: 1884 January-FebruaryContainer: Box/Folder 1 / 2-18
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Proceedings
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Description: Proceedings: 1st-27th days [7th, 14th, 21st days missing; includes stenographer's certificate of accuracy, May 1884]Dates: 1884 January-FebruaryContainer: Box/Folder 1 / 19-22
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Description: Shorthand notes of proceedings: 1st-5th days [4th day missing]Dates: 1884 January 14-18Container: Box/Folder 1 / 23
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Description: Shorthand notes of proceedings: 8th-20th days [14th day missing]Dates: 1884 January 21-February 2Container: Box/Folder 2 / 1-9
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Description: Shorthand notes of proceedings: 22nd-27th daysDates: 1884 February 4-9Container: Box/Folder 3 / 1-3
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Reports
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Description: Committee reports (includes Committee on Executive Departments; proposal by Martin Maginnis to substitute "president" for "governor" in constitution; proposal by Joseph K. Toole re taxation; Committee on Agriculture, Manufactures, Commerce, and Emigration; resolution to Congress to grant 160,000 acres to Montana for erecting state buildings and colleges, and for improvements on the Missouri, Yellowstone, and Clark Fork rivers)Dates: 1884Container: Box/Folder 3 / 4
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Miscellany
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Description: Oaths of officeDates: 1884Container: Box/Folder 3 / 5
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Description: Order of business and standing committee membership cardsDates: 1884Container: Box/Folder 3 / 6
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Description: Payroll and attendance recordsDates: 1884Container: Box/Folder OvFd / 1
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Description: Petitions (re separation of church and state, banning alcohol production and distribution, and equal taxation of property)Dates: 1884Container: Box/Folder 3 / 7
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Description: Rules, motions, amendments, and articlesDates: 1884Container: Box/Folder 3 / 8
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Constitutional conventions--Montana
Geographical Names
- Montana--Politics and government
