Montana Lawmaker Requests State Make Payment in Gold Instead of Dollars

Montana State Legislator Jerry O'Neil has officially asked the State of Montana to pay him in gold and silver via a letter mailed by O'Neil early this week.

O'Neil relies on Article 1 section 10 of the U.S. Constitution in his request, arguing that the following text should extend to the State's payments to legislators;

No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility.

"I have to take an oath to uphold the constitution of the United States, says representative James O'Neil, "it would be basically an abdication of my constitutional oath to say 'ok give me more paper money' when the constitution says gold and silver."

Interview with James O'Neil:

O'Neil represents House District 3 in Columbia Falls, he mailed his request on Monday and says he has not yet received a response from the State.