Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-02-01

siS - I'~~N
before the Legislature asking a gift on the
part of the Territory to aid in the construc-
ton of a railroad. One bill provides that
the counties adjoining Lewis and Clarke may
have the privilege of voting to give a GER
tain amount Of county bonds to the Benton
railroad. Another is for the purpose OF
granting aid to a north and south road. A.
third is also for the assistance OF a north
and south road, comming within the require
ments of the proposition made by Jay
Gould and others. A fourth bill proposes
to grant a subsidy of $4,000 per mile to a
road from the head Of navigation on the
Yellowstone. west 800 miles. And still an
other, we understand, is to be introduced to
aid a road from Deadwood, Dakota, via. the
National Park, to Helena, the provisions OF
which we have not yet learned.
The Benton road would be decidedly the
cheapest. and would no doubt be very SER
yiceable during a portion Of the year, and
would insure lis much more rapid and
cheaper transportation during the boating
season than we have at present.
The north and south railroad would give
us an outlet to the Pacific as well as to the
Atlantic, and though Il narrow gauge, would
be adequate to the business likely to go over
it during such season as it was in operation.
The standard gauge from the head Of nav
igation on the Yellowstone, would, if it
we're not connected with the Northern Pa
eific, also be Il summer road.
Any and all these propositions have their
advantages and their disadvantages, their
friends and their foes. The chief question
which seems to agitate the public mind is
not whether a subsidy shall be granted, but
which Of those proposed shall be adopted.
Now we, unlike most Of our contemporaries,
IRE not fully persuaded but what it would be
best to reject all of them, and cease talking
Of subsidies altogether. There IL such a thing
rs sspaying too dear for q whistle" We eoun-
sci our lawmakers to make haste slowly.
A sharp-sighted people will not hold them
blameless should they blunder in such an
important matter. Ihe interests Of every
section should be consulted, and the welfare
Of every class duly weighed and considered.
70 EXEMPT from taxation any industrial
enterprise. establishes u bad precedent fOi
all interests should stand alike before the
law and pay its proper portion Of the com
mon expense of civil government. But
there are times when it is to the interest O.
IL people to aid in the establishment Of new
industries, and we know of no more equita
BILE manner OF accomplishing this objec
than eXempting the same from taxation fol
4 short space of time. Montana has won
derftl. advantages for the establishment 0
manufactures; but in order to get Il bust
ness started, it is necessary to give it a It'll
impetus. 10 this end it is proposed to *
empt the first WOODEN mill established in on
Territory for a term Of years. In view Q
The great advantage this would give to on
Territory, we believe 1t would be wisdom
on the part of our Legislature to pass an act
exempting the first wooden mill built il
Montana, for a term not exceeding fou
years. This would allow ample time for
factory to get properly underway, and bull
up a selfsnstaining and profitable business
AS ~wool-growing country, Montana ha
ne superior on the Continent of Americ:
The same may be said of her manufacturin
facilities. One wooden min in successful OF
elation would be the means of inducing til
erection of more, and the wool industf
would be greatly stimulated. The oper,
ton Of the factory would increase the COZ
sumption OF farm product, and the Ierrit,
ry would save to her own people the va
revenue on the exports of wool, and the in
port of q ksrge amount of our heaviest woe