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Montana Constitution Revision Commission Records

 Collection
Identifier: RS-20

Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

  • Creation: 1969-1971

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

Collection open for research.

Conditions Governing 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.

Biographical / Historical

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.

Extent

.7 linear feet

Abstract

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].

Arrangement

This collection is arranged by series

Physical Location

17:7-1

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Acquisition information available upon request.

Title
Guide to the Montana Constitution Revision Commission Records, 1969-1971
Author
Finding aid prepared by MHS Staff
Date
2004
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs ( Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script
Language of description note
Finding aid written in English.
Sponsor
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Repository Details

Part of the Montana Historical Society, Research Center Archives Repository

Contact:
225 North Roberts
PO Box 201201
Helena MT 59620-1201 United States
406-444-2681
406-444-2696 (Fax)