This collection includes four interviews and one audio recording detailing the history of the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention. The interviews were conducted circa 1972 by Dr. Robert Eagle, a professor at the University of Montana, after the constitution was ratified. The interviewees, all of whom were Convention delegates, and Dr. Eagle discuss what led to Montanans voting in favor of revising the state’s constitution, how the process unfolded with two preliminary studies, and how the actual Convention functioned. The interviewees also discuss why they ran for a seat in the Convention and their personal interest in revising the state’s constitution. The original interviews are held as Oral History collection OH 346 at Archives and Special Collections, Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula.
This collection includes 5 interviews.
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Audio Recording with Dr. Robert E. Eagle, circa 1972
Robert E. Eagle `
Dr. Robert E. Eagle of the University of Montana’s Department of Political Science discusses the history of constitutional conventions in the United States, then talks about their history in Montana. He provides background on what led to the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention, citing issues with ... Read More
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Oral History Interview with Dorothy Eck and Peter Koehn, circa 1972
Dorothy Eck and Peter Koehn
During the first part of the audio, Dorothy Eck, the State-Local coordinator for the Montana State Local Government Study Commission, speaks to an unidentified group about the Commission. She describes the type of work the commission is doing to implement the local government aspects of ... Read More
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Oral History Interview with Ellis Waldron, circa 1972
Ellis Waldron
Dr. Ellis Waldron, a University of Montana professor, describes serving on the Constitutional Convention Commission, which was the second of two study commissions that were established to do work leading up to the 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention. He talks about the commission’s function, which was ... Read More
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Oral History Interview with John H. Toole, circa 1972
John H. Toole
Missoula historian and 1972 Montana Constitutional Convention delegate John H. Toole discusses his involvement in the convention as first vice president. He talks about the role of the first vice president and the responsibilities of each acting committee. He describes the day-to-day aspects of the ... Read More
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Oral History Interview with Lucile Speer, circa 1972
Lucile Speer
Lucile Speer, the University of Montana’s Documents and Serials Librarian and 1972 Montana Constitution Convention delegate, discusses the referendum to approve revising Montana’s constitution, noting that the League of Women Voters in Montana played a critical role in educating the public about the need for ... Read More