The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-11-09

Il
ity The erection of armory buildings I
is necessity too patent to require more I
than knowledge of the condition in
which the arms now are, TO insure the
appropriation for more suitable build ,
ings. The Recommendation of a statute ,
making the dollar greenback currency ,
the standard of value, is one that will
create warm discussion, and meet as vio-
lent opposition as any question coming
before the people. The principle is
right, and opposed Co the good resulting
| from it, there can be but one objection
| urged: Merchants would be compelled,
in the absence of the difference between
the egreenbackrates where they purchase,
and the gold rates where they sell, TO
place a higher figure on their goods If
go many dollars meant many dollars
in greenbacks instead of gold. While
we believe this change in the standard of
] value should emanate from the people,
and that legislation should follow rather
than precede the popular will in this
respect, we are also assured that con-
sideration of the advantages ascruing to
the Territory by the adoption of the cur
rency system used whence must be drawn
the capital to further develop the re-
sources of Montana; the many annoy
ances consequent upon using currency
varying in value. from premium of fif-
teen or twenty cents to one actually less
than the value of greenbacks, and under
.
the custom of the locality, all taken at
, the same rate per ounce, would, if thor
oughly eanvassed, at once establish
greenbacks as basis of trade through
out the Territory by popular consent.
: As we understand the recommendation
of the Governor, it is for an act to make
"a dollar, as used in purposes of trade
! as well as in legal papers mean dollar in
? United States legal tender, and that dust
:, shall be regarded as an article of trade.
> The arguments presented in it's favor
merit The. consideration of merchants
and capitalists, and the adoption of the
!. basis by the united action of those in
!, terested in the principal commercial
towns of the Territory, previous 10 any
action upon the matter by the Legisla-
ture wouId De more satisfactory, and
give it the encouragement of the ex-
% pressed will of the people. The state
$ ment that only 80 per cent. of the as
y sessments are collected by the county
3 collectors. and that while under the
u faithful execution Of the law there should
!" be "a surplus of at least $4,000 in the
Territorial Treasury. while the Terrific
o ry is actually $57 ,555 10 in arrears, will
incite an investigation of the causes
u and lead either TO the detection of gros:
' delinquencies or the adoption of laws
." better adapted to the requirements o
~ the case. The suggestions in regard tC
assessments and collections. covers the
I'll ground and will meet with universal ap
Go proval 1t is so manifestly unjust thai
II only one-third of the taxes are collected
nc that it is not probable any like leakage
he will be permitted in the future Th,
IL duty of adopting good school laws, al
~ though perhaps not SO apparent in thi
new mining country, is not less impera
. q tive. The States that had the bes
y school laws ten and twenty years age
= are the most prosperous to-day. TIL
u erection of Territorial prison for whicl
a liberal appropriation was made b.
e. Congress from the internal revenue re
O ceipts, is a subject that should receiv
- II immediate attention. The expenses {
=" keeping the Territorial prisoners in thi
young Territory are enormous-some
per day, while in many of the States
W with several hundred convicts. they al
" not only selfsustaining, but produce
ier revenue to the State. The laws are yer
10y ambiguous in regard to the authority
the Territorial Auditor to issue wa
rants for the safe keeping of prisoner
if they authorize it at all and tn
should not be forgotten in legislatin
- Buildings sufficiently large for preseI
'"o purposes, in which to confine all the TIE
-on ritorial convicts, where they could l
kept at labor, and their escape rendere
impossible, could be erected for less tina
" the first years appropriation. I'll
Message, as an entirety, is sound, prac
cal, comprehensive, and meets gener
approval There may be sixty-five tho
- sand of a population in Montana, al
g. political feeling" may have influence
-, the annulment in the Governor
estimation. We entertain different OPT
- ions, but their expression will Meth
effect the one or the other, and the ol
-, jective points have really very little 81
nifcance. The accompanying documen
de- nlete reflex of the fn.aces resourc,