Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-07-24
MINORITY REPORT.
w. T.. GILLETTE.

lM. President:
Your Committee on Roads and High
ways, having disagreed as to their repor
on that portion OF the Governors messac
relating to railroads. the undersigned.
minority Of said committee, respectful,
reports that he has duly considered tn
same, and presents the following as tn,
result of his investigations for the consid
Grafton of the Council.
First, he considers the recommendation.
Of the Governor concerning the exemp
ton of the Utah and Northern Railroad a!
unwise and impolitic and subversive Of tn,
general principle of equal taxation. THAI
such exemption, if granted TO but one cor
poration, would enable it to underbid
competitors for the freight and passenger
travel Of the Territory to the extent OF
such exemption, deter to that extent like
enterprises and prevent that wholesome
competition between rivals SO necessary
to insure the public low rates and to pro-
tect them from the greed and avalice OF
one sole monopoly.
Second: 1t would be granting to one
company special privilege in direct con-
fiict with the provisions Of Sec. 1889 of the
Revised Statutes OF the United States.
Third: If to avoid the provisions Of the
United States law, general law should be
passed exempting ali railroads it would
have the effect to exempt from taxation an
amount OF property, which would require
protection from our Government, SO enor-
nous that it would unjustly impose upon
the balance Of the property Of the Terri
tory burthcn which, in the opinion of
the undersigned, no representative can be
justified in forcing by such an enactment
upon his constituents. AS an example.
the undersigned would call attention to the
Northern Pacific Railroad, with its enor-
nous land grant, which will traverse this
Territory for distance Of about seven
hundred and sixty miles. Its property
consisting Of 30,40O square miles, or 49,
$4,000 acres OF land, besides track, rolling
stock, machine shops, ETC., would under
such law be exempt from taxation, or
by way of comparison an amount of prop
erty, OF more than double the assessed
valuation of the Territory to-day, would
by such a general law be released from
sharing its proportion Of the expenses of
the Government, whilst the balance of the
within the Territory would be
TO bear the whole hurthen and
and to protect this exempted property.
Fourth: The undersigned spurns with
contempt The imputation of the Governor.
or of the Utah and Northern Railroad.
that the Legislative Assembly or any of
the members thereof, or that the people of
the Territory are untriendly to any rail-
road enterprise or desire to pass any un-
friendly legislation but, on the contrary.
he believes that this Legislature and its
are friendly toward all enter
piiscs which will develop the latent re-
sources of Montana; that this Legislature
loes not desire, nor do the people of Mon
ANA, in his opinion, wish to place any OBJ
'tacle in the way of any company seeking
% extend its road within our boundaries.
That the remainder of that portion of
he message referred to said committee re-
luiles no answer, as by careful reading a
chool boy might easily perceive that the
rguments used refute themselves.
w. o. p. HAYS.