The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-11-16
And Gives Some Interesting Facts and Figures

Editor Butte MINER:
From a business standpoint, if nothing
more, a division Of Deer Lodge county is alb
solutely necessary. Silver Bow township,
with a population of fully 5000 people, with
100000 of taxable property, with more
mines, producing more silver, working more
men, building and running more mills and
smelters than any county in the territory, and
in all that goes to make up a flourishing, en-
terprising community, the metropolis, mill
ing and commercial centre of the great north
west, that one township in Deer Lodge
county, that IN wealth, population, energy
and public spirit, is the peer of any entire
county in Montana, should be compelled to
travel 40 miles on foot to attend court or
attend to any public business, is an outrage
not tolerated in any other part of the United
States. 1t has been remarked that 'the crea-
tor made Summit Valley mining district es-
pecially for a part of Deer Lodge county"
That it would be sacrilegious to divide the
county; that the creator and Judge Knowles
would be angry, and turn loose their wrath
in case the county is divided; but it Is well
fer every man who has the best interests OF
Butte at heart. to look this matter of county
division s~quarely in the face, and as d bust
ness proposition, ask the question Is it for
the best interest of all, that the county be
divided? In my opinion it is. Taking our
assessed valuation of the new county at S.
600, 700; a tax levy Of only 20 mills, which is2
mills less thar the levy in Deer Lodge county
is this year, will produce for taxes above S6o,-
900. The licenses will produce $4,000 more;
which is a low estimate, making a total III
come for the new county Of $4,000 per
year, allowing nothing for the increase OF
taxable property. 60 per cent. Of this amount
comes to the county, making a net income OF
$4,000.
Now, does any sane person think that 1t
will require SIS, 900 to lun a county, Or even
s25.O 600 of this amount? Remember, there
will be no $40 mileage for witnesses; 10 $50
70 place a common drunk in Jail no tele-
grabbing q subpoena for witnesses or Il Vehlre
for Jurors from Deer Lodge to Butte and col
lSctltIs plO EliltdSS- Nv S"''o ~
through the United States mail to q deputy at
Butte and lie returning them by mail and the
sheriff collecting SIC for mileage no COLI
str,cliyc mileage no officers who will have
the ear of the court to so beyond the statute
and allow them pay for services never per-
formed. Citizens Of Butte, look at the court
calendar, three-fourths of the cases are from
This district, and not three cases are disposed
of, except by compromise or dismissal, in the
last fifteen months, from this part OF the coui-
ty. Can any other community in America OF
5000 people make such a showing as tins
We lave borne This Injustice long enough,
and now demand relief. The time has now
come that Butte should have her just dues;
that this imposition cease that from loV to
900 of our citizens be not compelled to neg
lecL their business TO attend court at Deel
Lodce: that Butte be compelled to offer up
M more sacrifices at the Deer Lodge altar
w. ak but What in justice We should have
IN wit: division "t'ihe county.
GREGORY.
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