The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-01-18
HE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

II ne gONCIlVl pACSOh . viz e"S
Fritory, financial and otherwise, and points
! needed legislation III a very clear and
|cible manner. We present the ~ ore inter-
ing features Of the document. The as
|,ed value of live stock in the territory is
I2S9, 664. The total Indebtedness of the
Eeral counties March !, 1850, is $685. 800 Sc,
increase OF Indebtedness for the year end
Feb. 10, 1880, of $l03, 1868 25 LII regard
|this increase the governor comments and
kgests remedies as follows:
|Ihis exhibit is by no means a gratifying
1, and is far from sustaining our Roasted
lity for local self government. If our 10
Indebtedness increases in the same ratio
heretofore the territory will not favorably
press congress when she applies for admis-
In into the union as a state. This unfOr-
hate condition of affairs cannot be attl'ibut-
10 our present form OF territorial govern
Int, or the system OF appointments which
! grown up under it, ab cut which so much
mplaint is made, but must be ~chargcable to
J people of the several counties in their ca
city as citizens. l think much Of the evil
county management results from the action
county commissioners in assuming to ex-
eise legislative functions in paying pretend
Claims against the counties without au-
Drity of law. The territorial auditor can.
n draw y warrant for the payment OF a
him against the territory without express
thority Of law. Now, why not apply this
oyision Of law to county commissioners
n stop a leak which has done much to Gre
the present Indebtedness? l do not think
unty commissioners should be allowed so
,ch discretion, for bad men will take ad-
n,age of it to serve their " purposes and
L Of their partisans. If a discretion is al
v,d a maximum limit to such discretion
build be fixed by law.
The fees and salaries Of district and county
hcer. are far in excess of 4 reasonable COM
nsatlon for the Official services performed,
a their reduction should receive u i'm
pdiate attention. An examination Of
uEty records will show that county officers
nerally receive salaries far in excess OF any
her officers in the territory. For example,
4 county clerks IN some of the counties re-
We more compensation than the judges of
B supreme court, and in many Of the u
8 the annual compensation OF county
basurers is 81, 900 larger. than the salary of
e territorial treasurer. The remedy is in
ur hands, and | submit to you whether the
bstance of the people shall continue TO be
nsumed in the payment at high salaries.
large local Indebtedness n a high rate OF
Ration will deter immigration and seriously
(ect every industry in the territory. The
Euers of live stock in many counties have
anged their stock from counties where a
oh rate of taxation exists to those where
Ration is less, and this change will go on
It'll some of the counties will have but
tile live stock on their lax duplicate. The
bunties having the smallest debt and the
west rate Of taxation will, and shouid be,
most prosperous. / have always favored
statute limiting the power of the several
buntieS to contract a debt beyond a certail
mount, and | trust you will concur with me
any new county is organized at the present
SsiOn.
In nv opinion every public officer shouls
eeive i fixed salary, and the whole system
compensation by fees should be abolished
he value Of the services OF clerks and sher
s can be as easily estimated as can those o
ae'terrltorial auditor and treasurer, and whel
hrties litigaIL are to be taxed with costs le
be taxed in favor Of the county, and col
~ ed from such party as the conrt may di
let, and, under suitable regulations, paid in
the county treasury. The fees Of clerk:
nd sheritls heretofore charged against liti
ants can, by proper classification, be commit
to a tiXed sum and be paid into the coun
treasury OH the certificate of the clerk.
Ielieve thiss system both practical and iudici
US with respect to all officers who have here
Ofore been compensated in whole or in par
fees.
The financial condition of the territory i
altering. His recommendation in regard t
hnding the bonded debt Of the several coun
les at a lower rate of inter est than it is no,
barring may be acted upon by the legislator
Fith profit to the tax payers of the territory
pn these matters the governor says:
The officers of the territory in charge of IT
nances having discharged their dvty with S
luch fidelity, and the finances being in sue
IN improved condition hat the Lerritoria
easurer was enabled to place on the marke
be per cent. bonds authorized by you
ndecessors at a l.l1-lG per cent. above pal
edceming all Of the outstanding 10 per ccnt
Clds making an annuars2Ving of $500 Ii
crest Oh the bonded debt. This is r yer
Fatifying showing in view OF the fact that te
ears ago the bonded debt of the ~terriloe
Fas drawing Is per cont. per annum, and th
ebt was mnch larger than at present. TIL
he territorial debt Oh the first day of Ii
resent month was:
eVen per cent. bonds outstanding. sos 0 q
interest on same 2,45O
a Poe outstanding warraut... ..... 16l Z
Total liabilities. .$l2,6ll
Fash balance in Treasury....... 52.440
Net Indebtedness. ....o .....S2o.17O
The money in the treasury applicable toll
uedemption Of outstanding bonds cannot |
hpplied until January l, A. d. 1883, whe
The option of the holders expires. Their
Inre recommend that the treasurer be autho
zed to expend said money in the purchase
Outstanding bonds at not exceeding par, I
hat he be authorized to safely invest IL
anne until The option of the holders of Il
bonds expires. think it not advisable to d
ett the money TO other purposes, but to r.
luce the territorial levy to two mills on IL
POLAR and authorize the transfer OF so mut
the sinking fund to The warrant fun
pay be necessary TO meet the current expe'
es Of the territory. The levy suggested Il
e sufficient to meet the current expenses
he territory and pay the bonded debt whit
"a = 1000 III chat 49,