The Montana post., 1868-12-18

have a slice These had roads. others
bridges, others ferries, others were ap-
pointed 10 some trivial service. until the
entire Territorywas laid under perpetual
contribution TO the favorites of party.
And they, the men, guilty of this great
crime paid themselves for the work from
the territorial treasury. Not till all was
over, did the people comprehend the
extent Of the calamity. Powerless 20
correct it, they submitted. and beheld
the work go on. which was TO cripple
their energies. and oppress them with
taxation. The great Territory became
like a Gagged animal in the hands of its
captors Instead of diffusing blessings.
il demanded support. Shorn of its power
il soon fell into reproach-and 10 this
day. the men of the first Legislature are
justly chargsable with the heaviest cal
antilles OF the people
They began wrong. and wrong has
followed ever since. When they found
themselves without power TO re-assem-
BILE, instead of seeking a corrective where
only il could be found, they set them>
selves deliberately at work TO corrupt
the execution. and succeeded. Braving
the Indignation of the Territory, they
re-assembled TO renew the partiZan iol-
lies which had characterized their first
session, and plunged the Territory into
a new ocean of useless expenditure.
Arrested in mid career by the authorita-
tive hand of the government, they
vented their harmless spleen at those
who had been instrumental in bringing
them to their senses. And when. finally
at the last session. they found them-
selves legally assembled, in pure spite,
because they could not carry their dis
honest purposes, they re-enaeted all the
evil legislation of the first session, and
adopted a general Incorporation law
under which il could be increased TO an
indefinite extent. Nor was this all. In
other acts under the pretenses of reliev-
ing territorial necessities. they passed
numerous laws disgracetul TO themselves
And 5urdensOme To- the people.
conference.-the reign of malice and
ignorance is over Your majority in both
houses is Democratic. The law-making
powers of the Territory are Democratic.
You have now an opportunity in some
measure, to redeem the errors of the
past, and confer blessings upon the fu-
ture. By an exercise of magnanimity,
Of which even your party have been
sometimes capable. you may make the
present session of the Legislature the
beginning of new era in Montana, an
era long TO be remembered as marking
the passage of good, and the abrogation
Of evil laws. Many of yOur members
are fresh from the people and ought not
TO harbor resentmenJs against your op-
ponents. which will lead to a betrayal of
duty. Those of you, who have served
in former Legislatures of the Territory,
have had time to reflect upon your past
errors. and To witness their baleful effect
uDOn the interests of the DeOlsle Hou
too can now afford to be honest, and lay
aside party bitterness. At all events,
you must be convinced it is not legisla-
tion TO crafty personal revenge at the
public expense; whenever this thought
enters your minds, let me adjure you to
look back through the past four years
and recall the time when its indulgence
has not degraded you. more than il has
effected those at whom il was aimed.
Consider that where you provoke the
anger of one person whom you desire to
offend, you enkindle the resentment of
whole population. What will develop
its mineral treasures, improve its agri-
cultural facilities, and afford wide
spread and free distribution of labor to
all classes without its borders; that will
bring railroads to it, open and improve
the navigations of the rivers, is that
character which is only desirable from
wise and impartial Legislators Put
aside then, all party cliques and petty
enterprises, and contemplate the subject
comprehensively. Elevate yourselves
to a level with your duties. Strive to
understand the wants, and comprehend
the necessities of the people. III you
shall do this all will be well
TUIIINS