The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-06-25
LAWS AND APPROPRIATIONS.

The press dispatch Of Delegate Maginnis
shows he has been a. successful a. usual In
procuring appropriations and legislation for
Montana. The only measure he has failed
10 We believe is that ofprocuring an appro.
priation for the greatly needed enlargement
OF the Montana Peniteutiary, and in speech
on that subisct he spoke bitterly Of the
action OF Congress In refusing an appro-
priation for that purpose against the ur-
gent recommendation Of the Department
Of Justice and his. own efforts. Congress
appears to hold that these are United
States prisons, amply adequate for confn-
ing all the convicts sentenced under United
States laws, and that IL IL not the duty Of
tho general government to build large
Penitentiaries which 10 . few years will
revert to the newly formed States. To
bridge the difficulty occasioned by over
crowded prisons. like that Ut Dser Lodge,
. law was enacted permitting the Terrific
rial authorities under these circumstances
to imprison the convicts In other States
and Territories. There arc serious objec-
tons to this method. but 1t appears all the
recourse now left, aud doubtless q number
Of our life and long term convicts will be
transferred to Nebraska.
The Reapportionment bill nassed was
rendered necessary by the failure Of the
Eleventh and Extraordinary Sessions to re-
apportion the Territory under the act OF
juno 10. 1873, reducing the number OF
Couucilmen to twelve, and the number Of
Representatives to twenty -four. As tho
basis Ii now population" it was deemed
best to let the matter 60 over until the new
census should be taken and trust to Con-
gress for method which It has devised.
The Governor, President OF the Council
and Speaker Of the House are now requir-
cd to make the spportionment and as thSy
will have exact figures no difficulty will
exist in apport,oning fairly.
When the Extraordinary Session was
called last summer no appropriation had
been made for IL, and, as q matter OF fact,
its converting under these circumstances
was prohibited BY an act Of Congress-an
act, however, which Congress seems to ig-
more. The situation was complicated
one and eventual appropriation for pay,
ment Of the expenses was merely posi-
bility hedgod with much uncertainty. The
expenses were light; the Treasury Depart
ment incorporated the expenses in tho es.
innate submitted for Deficiencies for the
fiscal year and Delegate Msginnis gave his
efforts In its behalf. The appropriation
Is now made In full for mileage, per diem,
| officers aud clerks salaries and contingent
expenses. Those entitled to payment will
probably receive the same within sixty
days. Members and Clerks who sigued the
Roll need give themselves no CONCERN pay
ment will be forwarded to them as soon as
the appropriation is available by the Score.
tsry.
Under instructions from the Treasury De-
partment all old Legislative Deficiencies In
Montana were, last september, sought out
and forwarded to the Department with
such vouchers of their correctness rs could
be obtained. These amounted to $4,000,
ana have been appropriated for. As soon
- instructions are received as to the meth
oil Of payment Of these deficiencies, notice
will DO sent to each person interested.
Tho appropriations for other purposes are
quite liberal; all attempted changes in the
land and mining laws failed, AMI the sala.
ries Of Judges were very properly restored
TO 5000 Delegate Magiuuis has again q
strong record TO submit II he shall oousluie
to ask the Democrats for denomination.