The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1864-12-24
VIRGINIA TERRITORY DEcEnBER a. 1876

with a wise forethought, has made liberal
provisions for this purpose in the Organic
Act, setting apart two sections of land in
each township, for the establishment Of a
school fund. With proper care, these lands
will furnish rich endowment for our com
mon schools, placing them upon sure and
permanent basis. But these lands are not
now available, and it may be years before
we can realize any considerable advantage
from them. Hundreds of children are now
in the Territory, which wise legislation
will not permit to grow up in ignorance
for, in a free government like ours, where
public measures are submitted to the judg-
ment of the people, it is of the highest i'm
portance that that people should be SO ed
ucated as to understand the bearing of
public measures. A self-ruling people
must be an educated people, or prejudice.
and passion Will assume the power, and an
archy will soon usurp the authority of gov
ernment. Children are in one sense, the
property of the public, and it is one of the
highest and most solemn duties of the
State to furnish ample provision for their
education. 1t has been we'll said by dis
tinguished jurist that it IL cheaper to edu-
cate the boy than to punish the man, and
if the education Of the boy is neglected,
the punishment of the man may become o
necessity, for crime and ignorance 60 hand
in hand. =.
" NAIL FACILITIES.
Our mail facilities are altogether made
quate to meet the wants of our extended
and growing population. A mail route
should be established from Virginia City to
Gallatin; another from Virginia City to
Fort Benton ria Prickly Pear Valley, and
one from Bannack City to Jocko, with post
Offices at Willow Greek, Fort Owen, Hell
Gate and Joeko. / would recommend that
you memorialize the Post Master General
and ask for this additional mail service.
TAXATION.
The question of taxation will be one of
no small difficulty, and will require much
of your time. Taxation should be as light
as the necessities of the public will permit.
sufficient amount of money must be
raised by taxation to meet the internal and
municipal wants of tho Territory. Politi-
cal economists have said that no tax law
can be absolutely just and equal. Yet wise
legislation should aim at justice and equal
ity SO that no class or occupation shall bear
an undue proportion of the public burden
NATIONAL CURRENCY.
TIE subject of currency is beginning tc
agitatc the minds of eur people and many
are of the opinion that interest and patriot.
ism alike require our adoption of ,he Ma.
tional Currency. Wherever it has been
adopted, either in State or Territory, th.
increasing prosperity of the people has at.
tested the wisdom of the measure. The
loyal States that have adopted this curren.
cy Notwithstanding the burdens of gigan.
| tic and protracted war are prosperous be,
yond all former precedent and the people
are richer than when the war commenced
Gold Dust with US is Su article of trade
and when ne attempt to make it currency
we close the door against the introduction
of foreign capital. California alone anon;
the loyal States has refused the adoption
of tue National Currency-the effect upor
her has been most disastrous. The Cover
nor of that State, in alluding to this subject
makes use of the following language
g Here in California the enterprise tha
would develops our unbounded resources
is checked and repressed for the want O.
capital; while the necessary amount Il
supply the deficiency is waiting at ou
doors to have its entrance invited and it
standard of value adopted" IL such ha
been the effect of this policy upon cor.
psratively old State ike California, wha
must be its consequences in an infant Ter
ritory like ours. Let us adopt this curren
cy, and capital will find its way here ii
abundance to quicken enterprise and en-
large the field cf industry. .t.-,..5
u [.- PENITKNTIARY.
1t may be necessary during this session
to make some provision for the con6nemen
of criminals /; il no suitable building cal
be obtained, one should be erected as 500,
as possible. Ihave no doubt Congress vii
make a liberal appropriation for that pur
pose. 1el '7's 'l.
! Although we are far removed from tn
scene of strife which is devastating on
portion of our country, we cannot be indif
ferent to the result of the struggle. w
are part of the great American Nation
and a part of that nation we must ever re
main. Her interest, her prosperity an
glory must ever be dear to the heart Of ever
loyal man. This unhallowed rebellion ha
its origin in the lust for power and the in
sane desire to extend and perpetuate hu
man bondage. For years this conspirac
had been plotting, till at a length, unde
the imbecile administration of jaime
Buchanan, it threw off all disguise and as
sumed the defiant attitude Of treason. BE
ginning in crime and perfdy, it has sougl
to establish its power by atrocities III
most ,inhuman and appalling. Ignoring th
long established rules cf civilized warfare
it has prosecuted the war with a fendis
ferocity that would put to blush the mo,
uncultiyated sayages. When this war com
menced, many in the loyal States, frol
long political association with the leader
Of the rebellion, felt no little sympsthy wit
their cause, and in most Of the Europea
Governments they had active and infuer
, tial advocates (; but: az the war has prs
gressed their friends have deserted the
and they no longer hope for assistance fro
the Northern States or recognition fro
abroad. The issue is fully made up b
tween loyalty and treason; the opposiI
armies are in the field to decide the que
tien by the wager of battle, and betwet
them there ia no middle prornd Tia M