Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-03-08

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enced. except from Indians, is the frequent
large herds of buffalo which often throhg
this region. yet this would not deter its gen
eral adoption if the Indian question was set
tied in a manner that would guarantee sale-
tv to life and property. But we want great
er assurance than the bare assertion OF the
agent at Ft. Peck. Eie may be perfectly
reliable, but we have no assurance that lie
road, if open and free from hostile Indians
now. would be so month hence, and stock
men cannot afford to take such chances.
Neither will the Immigrant peril the lie
of his wife and little ones until the Indian
troubles are more definitely settled. But
there is no question but this would prove Il
valuable route iEthe general Government
offered the required protection.
MIR. j. V. BoGERT, the spicy correspond
ent of the Neao North Vest, and former ed
itor of the Bozeman Times. has assumed
editorial charge of the Avant Courier.
The Minnesota Senate has just passed a
bill a~ppropriating Slo0,oo 0 for the destruc-
ton of grasshopper eggs. The Legislature
of Montana refused to provide sufficiently
for the protection of the teathered tribe, the
n atural enemy of the locust.
If you want a good family journaNreplete
with agricultural, livestock, and choice
household reading, subscribe for the ROCKY
MOUNTAIN HUsBANDMAN.
MIR. EDITOR: The Helena Congress, at
its late session, passed an act to aid IN the
construction of railroad, andiyoted 81 ,7OO,-
900 worth of bonds to build it, and ask the
dear people to ratify their action on the 10th
day of April, provided our very liberal often
is accepted. which undoubtedly will be the
case, for there is a chance for q magnificent
steal in it.
Now, had we not better look before we
leap? Some one that is good in figures take
a pencil and reckon zap the problem. We
will say there is a population Of 10000 in
Montana, one-third of whom are taxpayers,
(Which is a safe estimate, as a good share or
our transient population are never i'll one
place long enough to pay any taXes), and
there are 1000 taXpayers-mostly farmers
The road is to be built in three years form
next July. Allowing one hundred.miles to
b -built per year, how many mills on the
dollar will our taxes have to be increased
the first year to pay the interest OF 'S$500, 900
worth of bonds at7 $40 per cent. per an
mum? Then, at the end Of the second year
how many mills will have to be added to
pay tax on 100000 more. or, as our debt
has increased to ST 900, 900, and the road one
hundred miles away, values gradually les
sening on account of our burdensome in
debtedness and excessive taxation? At the
end of the third year the road reaches the
"Hub," with an indebtedness of ST. 700, 900,
a load heavy enough to swamp a half dozen
such Territories as ours. Several more mills
on the dollar for taxes will have to be added
for the last 100000. Very little wealth has
been added to the Territory in the-meantime
except the road-bed and stock. Emigrants
will shun us on account of highstaXes cap
~italists will give us a wide berth because
they can invest in other places where taxes
are lighter; mining machinery cannot be
shipped here as, itwould be eaten up by
taxes the club" will be bankrupt, and
farmers will be closed out for taxes, and
those vino do survive the storm will have
the privilege of being owned, ibody and soul,
and paying enormous taxes to a ~soulless
corporation for the next fifty years.
The idea of Montana building two orthree
+ hun1rad smiIac of rnilroad thsn,,ub +ho co,l,