The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-02-23
THE EXTRA SESSION.

Ina recent issue we endeavored to
show the absence of any necessity for
the Extra Session of the Territorial Legis-
Iature convened by proclamation of the
Acting Governor. and the purposes to
which legislation would be perverted.
The assertion of General Meagher that
he will, in case of ulterior objects TO that
Tor which il is convened being brought
before it, use the veto power to restrain
their action, is no sufficient guarantee of
legitimate legislation. Opposed to the
legislature, composed as it is, ofmen be-
longing to one party, a unit on the ques-
;ions that will be brought before it, the
Actiug-Governor will be as insignificant
an obstacle in their way as figure nine
without a tail. With those who urged
the Extra Session, it was part of the
programme, to order an election for dele
gate; change the time of election of coun-
" officers and pass another huge batch
Of toll road charters, the most burden
some and iniquitous imposition under
which the residents of, and emigrants to,
Montana are now subject. Talk about
the interests of the Territory the neg
lect they have suffered at the hands of
Congress :" the burdens under which we
rest and the necessity of being repre-
ssnted in Congress; that grants of money
be given us for the erection Of public
buildings, and that the pay of officers be
Increased, etc. etc. 1t is an incOntro-
vertable fact that the Legislature of Mon
lana has chartered useless monoplies,
sufficient within the last two years, to
5ob, yes Rob, the people of this Territory
gilmore money in one year, than all the
appropriations they ask from Congress.
We are aware this is a bold assertion,
but if to take a mans money, compel
hin To pay il, without any equivalent in
return is not robbery, we are wrong in
our conception Of the word. IL those who
travel the roads upon which toll gates
are placed and where onerous charges are
ezacted, We're placed upon the witness
stand, they would testify that. with n
very few exceptions. the improvements
. made upon the chartered portions of
The roads do not enable them to travel
more speedily, or draw heavier loads
than they could before such franchises
were granted. In the matter of bridges
OF ferries, monopoly is granted TO the
company, for so many miles above and
Dtlo" the point of crossing where no
''ner company can erect an opposition
2ndge or run ferry. and they are in
vested with authority to collect extor-
Aouate rates from those who are necessi
'7isd to Patronize them. Why this in
'idious distinction should be made in
aEor of toll roads and ferries, is
aiIhcult to sustain. Why not give one
merchant the exclusive privilege of sell
'oS goods within a radius of 1--WE miles,
a. 10 give a ferryman exclusive right to
nal many miles upon a stream.
Every argument in favor of the
gIe Is in favor of the other
tne number of special laws passed at
,-e last session was ffty-eight, the
''ser proportion OF them being charters
.S Voli-roads and ferries. and not nearly
81 oi the favorites of that unique body
=, =, legislators got a charter. Poor, abused
''ea.ed fellows your time is TO come
''N' AMI before the spring travel begins
- VIII be invested with the right to
I.'.. ~ on three-legged stool, in snug
''ie cabin, on some smooth. valley
.'au' and collect a few dollars from each
fortunate bull-whacker or equestrian