The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1872-11-23
PLAIN Talk ONlNxAPORT.
ANTQUESTIOM.

1 =
ANT0UES11ON
Some weeks ago stupeudous project VA
developed In Helcna-the subsidisipg Of Z
North & South railroad from Utah 70 that
city. It 10 now the topic of engrossing in>
tcrcst throughout Montana. Itcontemplstes
. converting Of the Legislature in extraordi-
nary session, ct IN expense of e30. 600 TO
81, 900, the voting of subsidy of four
millions dollars bonds, payable in 80 years,
with seven millions two hundred thousand
dollars simple interest, oil to be collected by
taxation. and the expenses of an election to
ratify the act. We, of the west. side, did
not favor the project, II Territorial bonds
were asked, announced our intention TO OPP
pose it by every means in our power. and If
they were not, asked the Legislstors of the
cast.sidc favoring the project, 10 put them
selves on record that VIC might not inter.
ferc with their local projects. This they
have not done. The fair assumption left 10
Is that, II the Legislature 10 convened, Ter.
ritorial bonds will bc voted II there 10
strength enough to carry the measure
through. We exercised our rightsas citizens
Of Montana, demonstrating against an extra
session, setting further the heayy debt Of
the Territory and several counties, the ex.
cessive taxation now upon the people and
the vast increase to it this would entail, the
fact that this issue Zone involving an *.
peuditurc of ten times more money than oil
the preceding legislatures have appropr,>
ated), was not presented to the voters who
elected the present Legislators, deprccating
the rash hasts with which the scheme Was
being forced, questioning Its alleged advan.
tages, and declaring belief that no exigcncy
existed warranting the converting Of IN extra
session. 1t seems to US that ~ citizens We
had a right to do this; that it WIS - proper
we should demonstrate rs that others should
petition. We believe too, and know thst
hundreds of taxpayers In the counties to
be trSversed Ivy the road were rs earnestly
opposed to the scheme, to county subsidy,
Or On extra session as were We to Terrific.
risl subsidy. And We placed remons.rances
where they could have opportunity 20 sign
them. these circumstances being signed by
Mr.. +. B. Miller. and Mr.. Granville Stuart,
two worthy gentlemen of this place. Until
this time, the press Of Deer Lodge had said
but little on the question, awaiting tho de.
velop,ncnt Of the subsidy scheme, and con.
tent 10 leave the issue to the people.
Suddenly. however, the Helena press dis.
covered the demonstrates were being cir.
culsted, and forthwith turned batteries aud
brosdsides against any man who dared do
otherwise than support the scheme, and
with thrice malignant animosity toward
Deer Lodge, the NEW NORTH WEST. the
ring" 1.-THE CLIQUE" aud 1.-The toadics, by
which name the Herald with supcrcilious
sneer, designatcs the Helena opponents.
Every one who fsvors their scheme Is .
''public spirited citizen" whoever does not.
10 marrow minded" and .'contemp,ible. !"
In other words their course means, Il have
decided you shall do this. Doit, or I'll ram
It down your throat" We object to the
process, and we believe tho owners Of three.
fourths of the real property do. Wepropose
now to dissect this schcmc-for the present
only with regard to its results:
First, 1t entails m expense OF $3O, 900 to
$4,000 on the Territory in tho meeting Of
the Legislature. So enormous has been the
suitably proposed, that this has bsen scarce
noticed. That expenditure is uugarrautcd
byany other exigcncy than the supposssltious
one of suhsidising . railroad. 1t Calls on
oil the Territory. The west. side will have
to pay es.Soe to e, 900 Of this and isoppos.
Cd to IT, VIII the Hclcna press SHOW ~
Why we shall not object. ..
Then scheme 70 vote 4,000, 900 in 80.
years per cent bonds 10 railroad 10 pro.
posed. The simple interest On it will bs
q, seV, 900 more n ge'S, IN which the prin.
cipal 10 also payable. Atcomposnd interest
1t smoants 70 over twenty -four millions
dollas In gold. The inaessst On II each ysr
Il 3s4O, go gpld. With gold at 10 per cant.
premium, that makes ts79, 900 additional
currency ,axes annually. Tho Territory
owes else, 900 now. The several counties
owe over case. 900 more Total, $50, 900,
on which they are plHing 10 TO 10 per cess
interest The valuation of oil real and per.
sonal property In Montana for 1871, was
1s,s7l, roo. II will take .0a per cent. tax
on every dollar Of this 70 pay the subsidy
Interest alone. Add that to the .03 per cent.
already paid for taxes and which, with oil
revenues from licenses 10 still letting the
Territorial debt increase, and property own.
ers will have 70 pay .06 per cent taxes on
every dollars worth they own-spd II lasts
thirty years with e4,0oo, 900 to pay st the
end. Then again, the rsa! property valus.
ton Of Montana for 1871, was q, 864, ol9-
with 156e, 1877 coming under q head thatmsy
b added to il, making q, o67, 00s-ss the
total vslus. Of immovable property. Give
n. ooo, 900 away and the Territory 10 hank
rupt, 70 Say nothing of the interest. And If
the tax to pay II fell on the real property
alone, 1t would he nearly 10 per cent. on the
dollar annually. Nothing would or could
save the Territory from discouraging aud
severe struggle for years but tho building of
the Northern Pacific Railroad, which will
traverse our Territory for 600 miles through
it, richest centres without dollar Of cost
TO Montana. u
Again, what effect would Il hayc on the
securities! Whas would the warrants of
1ontanabs worth, With the Territory hank.
rupty They sell now 1t 20 osnts. Put them
even Ut 70 cents and you vii! have to pay
double taxes for current expenses and in>
terest on the issue of Territorial bonds pro-
yided for last winter. We believe they
would 90 lcss than that. Make this whole
affair matter of counties and IL will b still