The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-03-14

for every member of the Board of Commits
sioners; that in doing so he had believed
them honest, capable, and conscientious men;
that he had by his act delegated to them his
voice in the county management; that he had
seen no cause to doubt their ability, integri-
ty and wise management of affairs, or why he
should ask to recall that delegated power to
express his opinion at the polls on one mat
ter of their action while willing to entrust
them with it in all others. Although citl-
zen and a tax payer and interested as others
in public affairs he did not propose to urge or
advise the Commissioners in this matter. He
had not done so, had not been solicited to do
so: did not even know prior to the session at
which this matter had been determined that
they had the project under consideration,
and would not offer advice now. He wished,
however, to say that Il few years ago when
Mr.. Zenor was Chairman of the Board, it
had ordered the erection of a new Jail, Just as
il was understood was in contemplation con-
corning a court house now. 1tprovoked the
same comment as this scheme and the ru-
mors of increased taxation, The Jail was
built; it was needed; the action was wise. 1t
county warrants has been cut down from ten
Der cent. to seven; the county debt has been
reduced, and the rate of tax levy has been re-
duced Can any man tell how the cost Of the
iail was paid, or where he was injured? 1t
was paid by the increased amount Of taxable
wealth in the county which was still contin-
uing to increase and the surplus revenue OF
even a reduced levy paid the principal and
interest He cited this a parallel case.
Mr.. H. H. Zenor explained his position.
He had several weeks since signed petition
asking the Commissioners to submit this
matter to a vote, but had recently stated that
IL he were member of the Board and had
gone as far as the present Board has, he
would now go on and build the court house.
He believed though, he would favor less
expensive building.
Mr.. II. G. Humber explained his position.
He had drawn up one of the remonstrances
now before the Board at the request OF a
friend who was opposed to the project, but
had not signed it. He had voted for each of
the Commissioners and had confidence they
would do what was right
Mr.. Conrad Kohrs said, although he paid
some taxes, and had no towninterests in Deer
Lodge, he had believed more secure and
permanent court house was desirable, and If
the finances could be so managed that the
comfy credit would not be injured, he was
willing to pay his share of the expense. The
Commissioners had spoken to him when con-
sidering the project, and he had expressed
himself to this effect. They appeared now
to have matured good plans, and if the build
ing would not cost more than $4,000 and the
five per cent. discount on $4,000 he thought
1t better to build it.
Mr.. Addison Smith had been opposed to
the project having believed the plan was to
levy special tax to pay for the building. He
knew the insecurity and inadequacy of the
present building, but did not desire to see
taxes increased to pay for new one. As the
Board had presented the matter, this would
not be done, and he would be satisfied with
such action as the Commissioners might
take.
Mr.. Van Gundy said the destruction of the
records would be n calamity entailing erd-
LESS and expensive litigation, and would be
many times greater burden than the expense
Of the court house.
General and special remarks were made by
those mentioned and others, but the above,
to our recollection, is fair synopsis of the
remarks. 1t was a matter of regret that the
opposition to the measure was not more fully
represented or expressed The Commission
ers expected the reasons for opposing it would
be offered and urged, and for this purpose
had called the meeting and written to prom
iuent opponents asking them to be present
The circumstances generally were OF the
character published or referred to above, and
no argument except that of Mr.. Evans was
made. The meeting, therefore, failed in its
primary object of eliciting expression from
those opposed to the project.