The weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1883, 1883-05-02
CUSTER COUNTY.
The Boosted Temple Of Justice Proves Tenn
pie of Fraud.

Recent Developments in the affairs OF
Custer county, naturally suggests this
question: What motive the legislature
had in passing the law affecting the
officers of that county and unseating the
Board of Commissioners? Certainly the
small petition sent up from Custer county
was not sufficient to warrant the passage
of an act affecting interests so vitalt that
county. What pressure, then could have
been brought to bear upon the few weak
ones to secure their votes in support OF
so dangerous measure? Can it be pos
sible that those weak men sold their
votes to a gigantic corporation? What
other interest could be subserved by the
passage of this most unprecedented and
infamous law? Let us look at this mat
ter and see what the situation was. In
1882 the Northern Pacific railroad COM
pany was assessed by the proper officer
of the county. The tax due the county
was fifteen thousand dollars. These taxes
were not paid. In 1888 they were also
assessed on 26O miles OF its road and its
equipments. The taxes amounted to
sixty-four thousand dollars, altogether
amounting to seventy-five thousand dol
lars. This the company refused to pay
and proceedings were instituted to col
lect it. Judge Conger issued a temporary
order, restraining the commissioners
from forcible collection. Attorneys for
| the company tried to settle the matter
with the old Board of Commissioners,
but was not successful. The idea of GUST
| ing the old Board seems to have been
conceived about this time as further ne
| gotiations then ended and as foul a con-
spiracy as ever disgraced any county was
planned and is now being carried out.
Gov. Crosby assisted the Northern Pacific
attorney, Sanders, with such influences
as could be brought to bear on the legis-
lature to pass the bill and a corrupt Chief
Justice was to assist in carrying out the
foul plot. Custer county is added to the
Third Judicial District. Judge Wade
rushes in unseemly haste, (neglecting
court in Meagher county, to Custer
county and among his first acts is the de,
cree declaring the law of the legislature
constitutional. Sustains the new
county commissioners in removing the
county Treasurer without cause, and con.
ducts himself in such manner, as tt
show most conclusively, that the North
ern Pacific has ring in his nose ano
has Sanders. on the ground to twist it
which brings forth the decisions disgrace
full and without precedent, but other de
velopments are now apparent. The
County Treasurer is removed and hi
place filled by a Republican. Col. San
ders publicly assailed the Register ant
Receiver of the land Office at Miles Cit!
and told them he was after and woult
have. their scalps; and further stated tina
they were not sent there simply to fl
those places, but to serve the Republica,
party whenever an opportunity offered
These gentlemen had not taken so actiy'
a part in the Custer county troubles a
Mr.. Sanders desired they should. Hal
! the last legislature framed and passed
law making it unlawful for judges, terri
torial and county officers to receive
!, passes for themselves and family, tn
!, public interests would have been bette
subserved than to have become the tool
, of set of conspirators in the interest c
rich and soulless corporation.
CUSTER COUNTY TAXPAYER.