Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-01-23

sued by TIE county. It is claimed that
County Treasurers may return in county
warrants onc-fu,,ctl of all the cou ty tax
collected ~ them. and obtain credit for the
same in their settlements with Tie County
Co ulni.siOners, whether the same were
paii by tax payers or not. Fairness TO
holders Of county warrants appears to de-
r1antft.,at the law be so amended ia to re-
U.irc the Board Of County Commissioners
to reject ;I connty warrant. returned by
the Treasurer unless the same were re-
cciye1 for taxes and the name of the tax
payer and the amount of liis taxes be en-
dorscd on the warrant so returned by the
Treasurer.
The contract for keeping and maintain
inT the Territorial convictS in the Unite!
states Penitenfiary at Deer Lodge will ex-
pre on the fr't day of August next. The
contract cannot be renewed without addi-
tional legislation. The Pentcntiarv is well
managed and the conriris humlnely treat
Cd. Your attention i. invited TO the want
Of accommodations for llrypr number Of
conyicts than are now confined. If the
number OF conricts increases in the same
proportion the present year as they in
creased last year the present prison build
ing will he entirely inadequate. and yon
should make provision for them elsewhere.
The number OF convic.s confined un.ler
tie said contract Oh the first day of the
present month was thirty-tour The num-
ls,r of p..r.jnuy tal Sinla thu .,Iialvp-
meat Of yonr predecessors. and the reaS-
ons therefor. viii fe submitted to yeu at
al early day of the session.
In compliinre with the law in relation
TO tie in!igrnt Insane. | advertised for hi!s
for their care ard maintenance. and the
lowest BID received was eight dollars and
fifty cents per week per capita. [ rejected
all bids. and contracted in the name OF the
Territory with DR.. 4. II. Mitchell. of fine
Warm Springs Asylum. Deer Lodge coiin-
~. at eight dollars per week per capita. |
exacted Z bond from the contr actor in the
sum OF ten thousand dollars. tor the filth
tai performance o. tie contiact. and limit
ell the contract to March l. 1879. Forty
three insane persons and one idio.ic persun
have been admitted to the asyli.iu under
the contract; nine have been dis .harged,
cured. four lave been sent to t,ien'lS in the
States stree February. 4. d. 1877. and
thiiy-two were still confined in tie asylum
on TIE first day Of .January. 1879.
haze visited the ASYLUM twice. and
from personal Inspection Of the same am
satisfied that the Institution is well man
aga'l and the inmate kindly treated. Tie
rooms are cominolious. the bedding clean
and comfortable. and the clothing furnish
el each ia,nlte wart.i anI tidy. The law
should be amended SO rs TO authorize the
selection Ola reputable physician to visit
the asylum and examine each inmate twice
each year. and report to the Governor t!
condition. OF the inmates. the character Of
their treatment. and the names of such rs
should be discIiargel and such reroiunen-
dations ss to the medical treatment Of lie
inmates and their general management rs
be may deem proper.
| commend to your favorable considpr-
ton the report of the Superintendent Of
Public Instruction. which is herewith
transmitted 1t exhibits the rapid adj
vance.hent made in the cause of education
throughout the Territory during the last
two wears.
The lively interest manifested by Ill
classes of citizens in our brneticent system
of free schools is well calculated to crafty
every TREND of popular education. The
highest duty of a law maker in a tree gov
elnaent is to provide for the education of
every child in the commonwealth. and 70
secure for the system of tree schools the
fostering care of the government. The
true system of education is founded upon
the principle that embraces with equal at
t->iiOn the children of the poor and the
rich. All races and colorl should he the
recipients OF the benelitpnce OF the system
In Il country where universal suffrage is
the hirthright of every citizen. it is neceS-
sary for him to possess learning sufficient
to enable him to become acq'lain' ! with
his own rights. and his rulers duties. his
duty to his Creator, his nci.hbor and him
self
Many of the best scholars and philoso-
pliers and statesmen in the land who have
heen appliuled by civilized Clristendom
for their learning and genius, in both pub
lie and private life. We're. when Young,
pnorxnt destitute ofproperty; vet. through
their own excriions. ai!ei by the system
OF free schools OF the older States We're en-
ahled to raise themselves from the lowest
circumstances to the heights OF fame and
usefulness. Let the common school syS-
TEN OF Montana he universal in its bless
in9s that no child may he denied its bcne-
fits. cheerf'illy approve the recommentl;,-
tons of the Superintendent. and ask for
them vollr favorable consideration.
Section 2 of the election law provides
that no person convicted OF treason. felony
or brilrry. unless restored to civil rights.
shall be permitted ru vote at any election
in the Territory. As no officer appears to
be clothed with the authority to restore
persons convicted of ttlony to their civil |
rights. some legislation Is demanded at
your hands. conIerring authority to ~
store persons to their civil rights who h,v. !
forfeited the same by the commission of
crime. A person convicted Of a felony |
should not. in my opinion. be restored to
civil rights except tor meritorious chsu:.c-
ter as a citizen before conviction. and good !
conduct during confinement in prison.
The Probate act Of the Eist session pro
viaes that the money arising from the sale
OF the property Of the estates OF deceased
persons. uncldimsd by legal heirs for u ceE
tain perio;i. shall be paid by the court SET
Ting estate. to the Territorial Ire =
urer. TO tie credit OF the general school
h,nd. This provision is not in harmony
with our laws, rs no general school fund is
provided for by the laws of the Territory,
and the Territorial Treasurer has been
to retain in the Treasury, tho
money he has received from the estates Of J
deceased persons for the want OF autl o .ity
o pay the saline on the general indebted
less, or to transfer the same. pro rata, to
he several counties for the benefit of the