The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1871-11-16
LETTER FROM BUz.',
VIRGINIA CITY. October 80, Is

quoted sentence, then have grave apprehen-
sions as to the future of our willy and indus
trious District Clerk. / am credikly inform
ed that the suggestions contained in my last
communication in relation to officers fees
under existing laws, which your correspond
ent deemed timely and proper, have not met
his appreciation. On the contrary, he has
worked himself into state of excitement
and anger which regret to observe. Walls
of wrath hath he poured upon the innocent
and patriotic head OF your humble cores
pondent. Visions Of stubborn and relent-
less Legislature manipulating the Clerks fee
bill appear to him in his dreams; while in
the distance he observes your correspondent
+" Buz y exchanging congratulations with un-
fortunate ltigants over the happy conse-
quences Of his timely suggestions.
Now. Mr.. Editor, had thought it within
the legitimate sphere of public discussion,
and peculiarly the province of public jour-
nal to discuss tie public acts Of public Off
cials; and certainly to discuss the merits and
demerits of a law in which the public gem
orally feel an interest. My observations We're
not intended to reach any individual. aim
no reflections at any one as a private citizen;
but ana seeking only to present my humble
views upon matters affecting the public at
large Our accommodating Clerk aforesaid.
on reading my last communication to you,
as is generally remarked, neryousiy over
hauled his fee book and discovered that
either he had made mistake in taxing the
~ tr,n hot m
had misrepresented the facts. After debat-
ing it in his mind for some time he finally
concluded the latter to be the case. Your
correspondent is of opinion that in truth and
in fact his informant made mistake of
few dollars in giving the amount of the
Clerks costs in the case. Not having seen it
myself, I would not state it on my own
knowledge, and take pleasure in cor
recting the mistake. But. as affecting my
argument against the fee bill, the law it
self, it amounts to nothing. Conceding that
his fees in that case were only $50, (which is
under the mark). my argument is still good
against the law as unreasonable and oppres-
sive. 1t is possible that iii other portions of
the Territory where the Clerks do not pos
sess the ingenuity that the Clerk of the First
District possesses, the public has not been
made to feel the full force of the present fee
bill OF clerks. It may be different elsewhere,
but g. in these parts y it is quite impossible,
as attorneys in this place inform me, to bring
simple attachment suit i'll the District Court
without the clerks fees, under the present
law, amounting to from S15 to SIS in cases
where a settlement is effected before jndg-
ment 1t may have taken the Clerk an hour
probably to perform the services for which he
taxes his fees as stated Ii the case should be
contested. then they become fearful. My at
tention has been recently invited to case
which transpired within the past few weeks,
illustrative alike of the extent TO which the
present law can be carried and Of the inge-
nuity and sprigEtlncss of our present Clerk:
Mr.. F., who bad been in partnership, with a
Mr. H for some time, desired to dissolve the
business relations then existing and brought
| suit in the District Court for dissolution OF
the co-partnership. lie fled his complaint
and obtained tie issuance of restraining
! order. The Clerk issued summons and re-
straining order and made a copy of the
complaint or bill that was filed. In short
| time afterwards the case was settled and dis
missed without trial, The Clerks fees in
| that case where in an hour and half, it is
asserted, all that he did could easily be per-
| formed were taxed at the modest sum OF iii
teen dollars-the Shcriii's fees amounting to
about six dollars. No one holds the Clerk
responsible for this law. But all insist that
| law that gives Clerk the power to thus
mulet litigant is unreasonable and oppres-
siye. and a reformation in this respect is
earnestly demanded Of the Legislature.
will have occasion again at some fnture time
to advert to this subject and will have more
/ to gay.
Quite number of our citizens have re-
Gently left here to visit your place and at
tend upon your District Court. We observe
the absence of Hon. Samuel Word and Capt
/ H. n. Blake who attend your Court; aie
Doctors Mussigbrodt, wager and Morris, who
runor saws, contemplate embarking in busi
ness III your section. Judge Murphy ane
lady left, some days since, also Tor youl
| place. We bespeak for them all your kind
/ ness and consideration
| Our town is enlivened by the presence @
1 many OF its old citizens who for some time
past have resided elsewhere, but who return
to their old home feeling as though they hae
only been temporarily absent. Quite mum
Der of strangers are seen daily upon oul
streets, many perhaps contemplating 50
iourn during the session of the Legislature
The Secretary of the Territery is busily en-
gagged preparing for the Legislature. fie ha'
nroyiaed commodious and comfortable Hall
and will furnish them in proper style III
4 Eycellency has been for some months pas
engaged in preparing his message to be pre-
sented to the Legislature. It is authori
tatiyely stated that it will be longer than hi
address to the Agricultural Association q
Helena.
We have recently been visited by som'
i gentlemen from London who represent
large English capital and who were atta'acteE
here by the reputation attained abroad 2.
some Of our silver leads in this section 'Ahe.
visited Browns gulch and gaze special at
tention to the Pacific lode, belonging 70 tn
Hon. N. ID. (Chunky) Johnson, and repor
saws that attorney Word drew up papers pc
4 +,raar tI,a ,,artias for n sale of three hundret