The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-01-18


said collector to remit the penalty aforesaid,
ard TO cause ouch instrument to be duly
stamped. r .
Upon the question of receipts for $50
and less in dust. OF, for an amount of
dust specified in weight and not value.
Collector Langford stated that he had
instructions from Commissioner Rollins,
and we leave the matter between the
two gentlemen at the respective heads
of the Revenue Department of the Ter
ritory. We stated that we considered
these prosecutions were made in a "snap
manner" and not. as we believed. in
accordance with the spirit of the law.
First, because they followed closely upon
time when there could not be any
stamps procured of any of the Revenue
officers, banks or other institutions where
they are usually sold, either in Montana
or Utah, and numerous most respectable
firms and credible gentlemen will vouch
tor the truth of this statement, the as
sertion of the Assessor ito the contrary
Notwithstanding" IL we were to recits,
the endeavors that have been commu-
nicated TO us, of business men and banks
to procure stamps within the past four,
months, and which we have no cause to
doubt, il would convince any one, not
over skeptical, that there was an honest
desire to comply with the law. The re-
quiremcnt of stamps on receipts or sales
in dust for amounts of less than $50.
was not known to business men. These
things induced the belief that the in
dictmvnts had been made In a snap
manner. We hold that the Revenue
law is not intended 20 be oppressive, or
vindictive, or harsh, that its adoption
was compelled by the necessity of the
Government TO raise funds; that it's
spirit aT.l intent is TO bring fund TO
to the national vaults from the people,
without harassing or hardening shem
more than is absolutely necessary TO
accomplish its purposes. In proof of
this intent, we cite the provisions of the
law that wherever Inspectors, revenue
or special agents, Collectors. Assessors or
assistants are guilty of extortion OF will
fat oppression in tl1eldiseharge7 OF their
duties. the penalties prescribed extend
from heavy fines TO dismissal and dis
qualification forever after of holding any
Office under the Government Every
portion Of the law is framed with so ev.
dent a purpose to collect, the duties i'm
posed by il with the least possible an
uoySnee to the people, and the provi-
sions are so explicit that punishable
violation of the law is only where there
has been deliberate intention to tcdcfraod,
that We believe any exercise of power
on the part OF officers which is not ac-
tually required to prevent. fraudulent
practices. is in violation OF the,ihtent of
the law. II was because we did not BE-
lieve that such intent existed with the
large proportion of those who were
brought before the Commissioner, that
we expressed a disapproval of the pro
ceedings We are sincerely and heartily
earnest in a desire 10 see every law ol
the land complied with, and our most
cheerful support will ever be given to
what we conceive TO be the right 1t
was an investigation of the facts" OF
this case that led TO the honest belief
that different and Jess severe course
would have accomplished compliance
with the EXTREMIST requirements oi the
law by all good citizens, and left only
those who really intended fraud to be
punished. Instead of encouraging vio
lation, we connselcd obedience. and
think the surcst way TO render q
statute valueless and obnoxious, is 10y
iBhictiug penalties alike on those whC
are innocent and those who are guilty o
its violation. 1t was with regret that
after due consideration, candor com
PEELED us to take exception To the courss
pursued in Virginia, and we have as ye
seen Doreason 10 swerye from our posi-
ton. Any Information the Assessor
may have to communicate will at nj
times be received with pleasure by as
and doubtless by our readers, and giveI
such consideration as its Importance de
mands.
A LETTER from an officer stationed a
Fort G. F. Smith, to the Miners Journal
Pottsyille. Pa, dated Nov. 1S. contain
the following items: Lieut.. Shirley
with forty men, were escorting a trail
from Fort Phil Kearney TO Fort Smith
when about twenty miles from For
Phil Kearney. near Pfney Greek, larg'
force Of Sioux attacked them and cap
tured several wagons laden with valr