The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1879-06-24
HASTEN SLOWLY.

80 -
supposed to be favored With an occasional
peep behind the. scenes, Informing us that
such a step had been decided upon. Lastly,
the petitions placed before the people by
the engineers of this movement and praying
for an extra session are being extensively
signed, then forwarded to headquarters.
Spw all those proceedings do not re-
suit fsom chance, from any mere fortuitous
F-coneurfence of events. Instead, they are
effects having for their causes the deliberately
planned action of individuals who know ex-
actly what they are about ; SO unless we are
to disregard the warning given by those very
substantial straws, we may safely conclude
that the breeze is setting towards an extra
session. We are aware that an appropriation
to cover the expenses must be voted by Con-
gress, and that the Presi, el,t's sanction must
be secured before the Governor can issue his
proclamation converting the Legislature. But
we are also aware that the Governor has just
returned from the East, and since lie is apt
to be pretty thoroughly informed concerning
all restrictions impeding free action in the
plCAllSCS, VIC may SotiSluuCt IL nc ioSaSS mo
proclamation, that all obstacles have been
smoothed away in advance, and that our leg
~islative smack is to have fair sailing during
her short cruise in the extra session. T. it
has already been decided, then, that the Leg
~iSlature is to be convened. It is too late in the
day to discuss the expediency Of such IA pro-
ceeding but instead of taking up this theme
we may revert to the strs tegic eriola nj last
winter, and from the lesson furnished by that
experience suggest the business methods
which it will be most advisable to persue if a
matter of vit& Importance to the interests OF
Montana is i in to be taken in land and
made the subjec: of legislative action.
In The first place, then, let all pretenses, all
subteffugeS ue abandoned. Different mat
tiers will likely receive attention during the
session, but nevertheless tile one overweening
purpose for which it is to be called is to pass
tile railroad exemption bill that failed last
winter. Two d.tlerent parties have been
working hard for an extra session. Fist,
those who have a pecuniary interest in the
construction Of the Utah Northern road, and
are anxious to secure legislation which, will
tavorably effect the market price OF its bonds.
Secondly, a great nunlber of Montanians, rep
resenting most certainly by far the greater
part of the t~&E-payiDg wealth of the Terri
tory, who look upon exemption as a cheap
method of securing the great advantage Of
railway communication. This is a plain
statement of the case. Ifi can't stand on its
merits let it fall. But we feel convinced that
it can stand, strictly on its merits, if exemp-
ton alone is askedf for and not only this, but
that the more the subject is discussed and de-
bated the greater will be the number of its
supporters. Last winters exemption bill
failed because the measure was carefully
nitrSed in secret, then sprung suddenly on
the people without giving them time, first to
take q calm common sense view OF the ques-
ton, and neNt,t 10 bring their Judgment to bear
in influencing their representatives in the
Legislature. Let not this error be repeated.
Ii an extra session be called let the date of
its assembling be sufficiently remote to admit
Of Il thorough discussion of the exemption
scheme in all its bearings. Let it be brought
before the people so that through petitions or
mass meetings a thorough expression of pub
lie sentiment can be secured. By such
means, by fair play and no lodging, the ver-
| dict Of Montun1's voters Oh the case to be az
guad before them can easily be placed o.
record. and let the question be by that vGr-
dict decided. If the majority OF the people
decide that exemption is for the greatest good
Of The greatest number, let us have it; if
they decide otherwise, let us hear the last of
l.. The issue lnvotyes a very important bus
mess matter; one that directly effects in his
n~Rsiuess relations every resident Of Montana.
Mo @eutimeut is Ia any way mixed up with ii.
Those who favor exemption are Of that way
Of thinking because they feel assured that
through it will be brought about better lines,
generally, with greater chances CT making
money. Their opinion in f~ayuring the meas.
IRE is Mot-in The least Influenced by any love
or affection cherished towards railway corpo-
]Tations IN general and the Utah Northern il
particular. On the other hand, those who
oppose the measure are not arrayed i'll oppo
sition because they cherish any hatred TO
ward railroad men or railroads themselves
They oppose exemption because they are oi
opinion that While they pay taxes, each OF
his farm, or stock, or store IS the case MAJ
be, a great railroad corporation should b,
able and should be required To do the same
and thai if taxes were paid on railroad prop
erty the citizens taxes world be proportion
ately lighter. The whole affair is purely
business matter, and since oar people ar,
essentially leve2-headed on anything connect
ed with business, they will not fail to per
eeive the course suggested by their own in
terests as soon as they become thorough,
acquainted with the question III all its bear