The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-01-18
o FINANCES.

made by the governor to the legislature is
certainly a very gratifying one. On the LIST
of January, 1876, the territorial indebtedness
amounted to SIPS ,6s5 16. Since that year it
has been decreased at the rate Of $4,000 to
$4,000 annually, and is pow only q little
over $4,000. As the outstanding bonds
against the territory can be held by their
owners for two years longer, the money that
has accumulated in the treasury cannot be
used for their redemption within that time.
What to do with this money is the problem
to be solved. The governor suggests that The
treasurer be authorized to purchase the out
standing bonds or to invest the same until
the bonds can be redeemed. If the bonds
can be purchased at par the money cannot be
more protitably used than by buying them
up. This appears to us to be a legitimate
way of employing the funds. But if the ter
ritory desires to enter the field as a speculator
it will find a wide range of public securities
in which to invest. All along the line will
be found openings for an assured income,
from government 4 per cent. bonds to Mis-
soula county warrants. We think, however,
as it is desirable to have the money on the
1st of January, 1883, the better plan would
DO to place it in some one of our banks until
needed, where it can draw the usual 7 per
cent rate of interest, which we believe is al
lowed OH time deposits.
The finances of the several counties of the
territory do not show that healthincss that
their taxable property would seem to warrant.
In 1873 the assessed valuation Of the proper
ty in the territory amounted to $40, 062 ,904,
while the aggregate Indebtedness of the
Of $3.50, 749 10.
Last year the assessed valuation of the
property of the several counties amounted to
$lS,G09, SOC, while their total Indebtedness
footed up $6l0,S9 So. This shows an in
crease of over $500, 900 of assessable prop
erty in five years, and an increase Of indebt-
edness Of $3.50. $50 e.. This condition of the
Rnauccs of the counties of the territory nat
urdily suggests an inquiry as to its cause.
The governor says it "nust be chargeable to
the people Of the several counties in their
capacity as citizens.' In the abstract this is
undoubtedly true. But then he immediately
adds that he thinks much of the evil in
county management results from the county
commissioners in assuming to exercise legis
iative functions in paying pretended claims
against the counties without authority of
law Here a portion of the responsibility is
shifted to the shoulders of a few individuals,
and withal rather a serious charge is pre-
ferred. We are not prepared TO say that the
governor is altogether wrong in his assertion.
There has been a recklessness in the expend-
peated protests from the people. But of late
years our County commissioners as a body
have been composed OF our very best citizens
They are generally large tax payers, and as
such have a personal interest in guarding the
treasury of their respective counties. We dc
not believe we have now, nor have had lately
any commissioners who would pay ''pretcnd.
ed claims against the counties without all
thcrlty of law" We think we will have to
look in another direction to discover ths
cause Of cur accommodating debt. Nor neeC
we look much beyond cur courts TO find 1t
The enormous expense which counties incu1
in prosecuting its criminals plainly indicates
where our money goes. The per diem ant
t mileage OF jurors and witnesses absorb
! large portion Of it. Sherifs' tees and thu
amount paid them for boarding prisoners ar
, a heavy draft upon the county treasures.
During last year Lewis ard Clarke count,
paid its sheriff II fees and for board of pris
..,,,, x.n, san nnn M Fn.o IS -, -r,L,
court were nearly $4,000, and its distric
5 court fees and clerks salary were SIS. 43S-il
} the aggregate over $27, 200. This is a larg
sum to pay for the performance of dutie
that should be discharged for $4,000. Blu
these officers were not allowed a cent NOR
than the law gives them. 1t is to the legisla
tuWe then we must look for aid. The Cover
2 nor's opinion that every public officer shoui'
receive a fixed salary is based upon SCUM,
l. reasoning. The value of the services of
t public officer can be us easily determined a
d the value of any other labor. 1t strikes u
= that it will not require the expenditure of an
considerable amount Of brain labor upon TIL
part of our honorable Legislators to fran
laws that will provide a fixed salary for eac
county officer. When this shall be done an
[ jury fees shall he taxed to parties litigant VIII
e are able to pay them: several large leaks i
= the treasury Of our several counties will b
stopped.
i Buffalo Courier: 1t sometimes harper
that our legislative bodies meet when there
nothing to do, and at the instigation of I'll
: devil employ themselves in the invention