The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-03-15
SUBSIDY.

WV
ton, which appears in another column, from
the able pen of II esteemed correspondent
the Hon. Israel Glen. We noticed the edi-
torial in question at the time of its publica-
ton, but did not then, nor do we now, con-
slider the article of sufficient Importance to
call for any special comments. This whole
question of subsidy is one that has been pref
ty thoroughly discussed by the press and the
public during the past few years; and, as a
result of that discussion, the tax payers ofthe
territory have expressed their determination,
through their political conventions, that they
will not be a party to it. This determination
is not an "~anti-subsidy craze" as the hide
pendent is pleased to term it, that has taken
possession of them, but is the offspring 0
their sober second thought, born of a cool,
careful and serious consideration of the whole
subject matter of subsidies viewed. from eve
~ standpoint. 1t is true that several years
ago the people of Montana came~very ,.early
voting a subsidy of several millions of dollars
to a certain railroad corporation. They had
been harangued by the best orators of the
subsidy school; they had listened to very
many finely spun theories, ingenious ar
aumen,s and sopbistical reasonings in favor
of the measure. The stagnant condition of
business in the territory, the timldity mani
tested by capital to approach us, our isolation
and the remoteness Of the prospects of a speedy
all forced upon the attention Of the people,
and, acting under the influence Of a "subsidy
craze" they came within a few votes of fast
ening upon this young territory a debt that
would have crippled it, and set back the
wheels Of its progress a quarter of a century.
But these conditions are now changed. The
business interests in the territory are on a
safe foundation and tiourishing in every de-
parlment, Capital Is eagerly seeking invest
ment in our thousands OF rich mines and
richer bonanzas. The advantages which the
territory offers to successful stock raising are
also inducing capital to invest iii this branch
of our various industries. The two railroads
that are fast approaching our business centers
and building up settlements, towns and cities
on their way, have broker the shackles that
hound us III seclusion and have given us al
easy, speedy aud direct communication with
the south, the east and the west. In the face
Of these conditions it appears to lis that an
individual or corporation that would ask the
the people of Montana for a subsidy to aid
him or it in developing any enterprise in tie
territory, must possess an etirontery equaled
only in its sublimity by the supreme foolish
ness of the people who would grant it. Blu;
We have DO fear that the people Of this terri
tory will grant subsidies to any corporation
for any object if the question be left to then
arbitration.2 Subsidy, in Montana, is a dead
cock in the pit. 1t can not be gilded nor
sugar-coated in any manner to tempt the PEG
pie to swallow it. They have most emphati'
cally sat down upon it, and killed and buried
1t AMI propose to keep it under ground. Il
can not be resurrected by their aid, but a
Mr.. Glenn inti1nates, legislatures may, in thu
future, through mercenary motives, be pre-
vailed upon to view the subject as one of
purely business character, and vote large
sums from the territorial treasury for very
doubtful enterprises. To prevent such al
action the memorial that MIR. Glenn refers tt
was introduced in the late legislature, asking
congress to amend the organic act of Monta
ma so as to prohibit the territory, through it,
legislature, or otherwise, to indulge in tn,
luxury of voting away the peoples money t.
individuals or corporations under the guise 0
entering into a purely business undertaking
The memorial, We believe, passed the house
but failed in the council. While its defea
by that body can not be construed as its Ell
dorsement of subsidies, yet we are inclined
to think a watchful constituency will hol,
those who voted against the memorial to
just and rigid accountability, and SO this sam
constituency will hold journals that, at thi
late day, attempt to infuse life in a measur
that it has, does now, and always will vley
with alarm.