The Montana post., 1869-01-01
OUR VIRGINIA LETTER
Discussion on Extra Compensation
The Capital Bill.
The Mining Law Repeal.

The debate of yesterday morning in
the Council on amending the Compeu-
sation Bill deserves TO become memnr-
able. There were TIVE reports from tb,
committee. TO whom the bill was refer.
red. The majority recommended n
reduction from twelve dollars TO eight
in the pay of members; the minority
that IL remain at twelve. The discus
sion arose upon the adoption of the maS
iority report Deer Lodge members.
led off Ly the invincible Bagg, were Oh.
posed to reduction. Mr.. Bagg gloried
in the fact that he had been instrumen>
tai in the passage of the original bill in
che Bannack Legislature. He contend.
ed it was just, aud to prove that his
constituents were satisfied with it, said
that when lie told them about il. they
not only expressed entire satisfaction
but asked him to take a drink. People
nowadays. he thought, could not live
on bread and water as they did in the
time of DR.. Franklin. At least, he could
not and the effect of reducing this CONS
pensation. would be TO fill the Legisla>
ture with incompetent men who could
find nothing TO do at home that would
pay better. This, considering some
points in the Legislative career OF the
speaker, sounded ironical, but | am in
ciiued to believe he intended il in sober
earnest.
Mr. Orr spread himself on the necps>
sity for reduction, was willing and de-
sired the entire Territorial salary should
be stricken out. He could live on the
four dollars paid by government with
out getting in debt, and thought il
would be much better for the TERRITORY
ana nation if people would conform 10
absteIuiousness and fTugality OF Doctor
Franklin, not drink so much whiskey
and eat bread and drink water, two ele
ments which would prolong life more
than any other food.
He made a gastronomic argument In
favor ot reduction. into which he moor
poTaJed quite a comprehensive idea Oi
the wants, character and growth of the
Territory. Mr.. Rand followed much in
the same strain IA Mr. Orr, and added
that inasmuch as the Democratic party
was responsible for the continuance OF
the measure in its present form. that
unless they reduced the amount, they
would suffer for it during the next two
years. He would not blame the D.mo-
Gratis of the Territory. il they should
change their politics, unless this enOr~
nous cou. pensation was reduced The
party ought not 10 expect anything else
lie said the debt of the Territory haG
increased over thirty Thousand dollars
since the last sessCn, and IL was mainly
owing TO these extra expenditures. Mr..
Watsons speech was in effect repe-
Lition OF the speeches OF Orr and Rand
MS was also the speech of Mr.. English.
The Council for while showed dispo-
sitiOn 20 adopt the report, but by means
Of filibusJering and divers dilatory mo-
tiuns. was finally lost in she committee,
and so tue extra compensation will
probably stand unless wise cOun-
sells prevail before the adjournment
The debate WAS both amusing and in,
strpctive. hope every member of the
Democratic party will have opportunity
To know all about it before the next
election. Sixteen dollars a day tor each
legislator is enough to bankrupt a
richer country than Montana. There is
a great profession of economy on the
part of the members. but yet little
has been done TO- reduce Territorial ex-
pensrs Justice demands, however, that
| should speak kindly oi the efforts Of
Messrs. English, Orr, Rand and Watson.
They did not hesitate to denOunce in
unmeasured terms the present conpen~
sation bill.
Tue Capitol Bill was taken up in the
House this morning, and, alter conside-
rabIe discussion, Deer Lodge was strick-
en- out, and the name of Helena insert
ed. 1t will now go back To- the Council
for their concurrence. which. | under
stand. will probably be obtaiHeJ.
The House, through mistake. adj
journed at noon to-day, instead Uf taxi
ing Il recess.
Both Houses viii probably adjourn
over Christmas.
Dec. 23.-The amendments 10 the
corporation Law, striking cut ali Sec
tions authorizing the incorporation OF
tOll-roads and bridges, passed the Coun> I
Gil. The license law was arrested by J
the vote of the opponents at the clause
taxing Oawdy houses. Ii cannot be +
passed until that is stricken out.
Petitions Of Washington Smith for
right To- fish Tor trout in the Deer Lrdge
river. with books. seines or spears. and
that every hali-blood child. born OF an
Indian woman, may bt. legitimsIed,
were laid indefinitely on the table.
After good deal of tillibustering or /.
the part of the House, the repeal OF ibe
placer mining law, as TO Deer Lodge,
Missoula, Btaserhead aud Madison
counties. passed. and went back To the
Council tor its concurrence.
Our butchers are filling their markee
tor ChriEEalas with the best b-ri thai
we have ever seen. ONCE MORE
Virginia City, Dec 90. 1868.