Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-05-03

WE feel it a duty devolving upon us to
raise Il warning voice against the profligacy
and extravaganza of our local government
Year by year large debts are being heaped
upon the shoulders OF the taxpayers, which
grinds them, to the very dust, and cripples
and embarrasses them to pay. We do not
alleoe that this is solely the result Of incom-
petent officers. We do not think his class
as a rule get anything more than their just
deserts but there seems to be q spirit OF
extravaganza and reckless carclessness. per-
vading our whole sytem of government tina
is dangerous to. the future welfare OF the
country.
An individual starting, ont in life finds it
necessary to use the most stringent economy
in his young days, ~, order that age may be
blessed with plenty, The same rule applies
with equal force to countries. When they
are new, if their treasures are guarded with
jealous care they will become prosperous
with age. But if, Oh the contrary; there is
mismanagement, debts may be piled up that
will prove a serious burden in later years.
All recognize the fact that it is much easier
to keep out of debt than it is to get out when
once a liability is contracted.
One great trouble about the management
ofonr county affairs is that the people do
not feel themselves individually responsible
for the manner in which they are conducted.
They are addicted to laying all the blame at
the doors Of certain county oflicials-Whom
we must say are in many cases innocent
instead Of ferreting out and laboring them
selves to prevent extravaganza. One great
source of expense pon all new countries
are their criminal law suits. Much of the
debts of the counties of Montana have been
incurred by these cases. Nor has this state
of affairs ceased. Much of our annual eN
pensa now arises from our criminal practice,
and often, we regret to say, unnecessarily.
We would not have the perpetrators of
crime 50 unwhipped of justice. But our
Grand Jurors should exercise great precau-
ton in finding indictments against persons,
unless their guilt can be established. Many
times there will arise little petty neighbor-
hood auarrels, ia which both parties are to
DiIfllG. LII lllCSC GaSSaS IL 10 lIlC ulty vi q
Grand Juror to consider well all the circum-
stances, the enormity of the crime, the *
tent of the punishment due, and the cost ii
will entail upon the county. 1t is too often
the case that our District Attorneys become
over anxious. Bills of Indictment are found
against parties who, upon trial, are proved
to be innocent. The duties of a jury are
the most important which develve upon us
in our local government. This body stand
sentinel over the homes and firesides of oul
country, and protect us in the enjoyment o.
our rights. But they should remember thai
there are many difficulties arising between
%neighbors, which occur one day and are set
tied the next, that they are not called upon
to take cognizance of. We also consider il
the duty Of the District Attorney to exercise
good Judgment in these matters. Unless hi
is positivea criminal can be convicted before
twelve of his countrymen, he should no
seek to make out a case. Being elected by
the people, he should consider their interests
financially as well as otherwise. We do no,
offer this as a plea to encourage men in riot
Gus proceedings, Tor we feel that in many
instances the law is but feebly administered
If none were indicted and brought to tria
save those who were. really guilty ofrcrime
or misdemeanor. and such crime or misde
meanor was punished with rigid severity
thereby making an example, it would have
a tendency to check the petty turmoils ant
broils that distract and render %neighhor
hoods unhappy, and also put. a stop to tht
drain on our public treasury.