Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-02-20

extremely dangerous rs precedent that 1
would be better to grant a reasonable sub
sidy of. say. $500. 900 or $500, 600, at once
g and have done with it, than to entertain al
exemption proposition with view of Civ
r ing it apparent legality for Is to 20 years
So far as oi,p'knowledge and information
extends, 10 is very evident that the mos,
earnest advocates of exemption were for
merry the most conspicuous champions Of
subsidy and assisted materially in the pass
b age of several enormously extravaganza
subsidy schemes. which were signally and
fortunately defeated by the people =
schemes which. had they been ratified by
the proper authorities, it is now generally
acknowledged. would have been ruinOns
to all the vital interests of the Territory.
This fact is sufficient Of itself to cause the
taxpayers Of the Territory to look upon
this exemption scheme with extreme sus-
picion and prompt them to enter their
earnest protest against the passage OF the
bill.
But for the objections above referred to.
we are inclined to think that it might be
considered expedient to offer some rea-
sonable encouragement to parties contem-
plating the construction of railroads with
in the Territory. 1t is quite possible that
bill might be framed carefully guarding
and protecting the interests of the Terri
tory and granting exemption from taxa
ton for period Of to 6 years any por-
ton OF railroad built and completed within
the Territory during the next two years.
but right here is where the exemption bill
introduced, and probably now passed, is
so radically detective, and hence, SO ex-
tremely Objectionable. 1t provides for ex-
emption for an extravagantly long period.
10 to 20 years. and make it possible for any
company complying with its vague and I
uncertain conditions to claim exemption
on all road constructed during the entire
period covered BY the proposed exemp-
ten.
II it is forgone conclusion that a rail-
road exemption bill shall be passed at all
hazards. then We certainly have right to
demand that it shall be definite in its provis-
Ons. and. at least. somewhat reasonable
Is to the period over which its proposed
benefits shall extend. While we freely adj i
nit that. in luany respects. railroads would |
'e greatly beneficial to the interests of the |
Territory. so far as increasing our popula- t
ion and assisting in developing the I'M t
'ortant resources of the Territory are con-
erncd, we are far from sharing in the be- i
lef that they will be sources of ulnmixed t
'ood. Accompanying their construction t
nd following in their train. we shall ac- t.
uire certain clement that will necessari- Il
Y Increase our court calantlcrs and render
astly more numerous and expensive our
riminal prosecutions. The lives and
ropcrty OF all the employees and the null.
farious interests Of each railroad COM II
any will have to be protected at the ex- v
ense of the Territory, during the entire T
erod over which such property and in Il
'rests are exempt from the ordinary bur- al
EN- of taxation. te
AS intimated by tie independent in re- Il
mt issue, railroad corporations are only in
20 successful in standing off, assessors
nd tax collectors, when no exemption ST
W exists. The L. r. Il. K. Company are "
able to protect their own in
rests, without special legislation, except oh
lch as may be necessary to guarantee the an
ght Of way. OF