The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1884-04-30
Correspondence.
PARADISE VALLEY, MONTANA,
,ri1 OCd 1891

PARADISE VALLEY, MONTANA,
April 22d, 1884.
Editor Of the Chronicle:
DEAR SIR:There seems to be something
Of q stir on this side of the range with
regard to division of Gallatin county.
Petitions addressed to congress are being
circulated with that object in view, SO l
thought few words on the subject would
not be out of order.
To begin with, 1 will state that l am
opposed to the division. Ny reasons. A.
division of the county will necessitate
the creation of a new corps of officers and
the building of new county buildings,
both of which will, of course, be source
of increased taxation, while at the same
time we will have to assist in paying for
those county buildings already in use by
Gallatin county as it stands. Of course
division of the county would include a
division of the taxable property which,
should the division be made according to
natural boundaries, would leave us not
to exceed one-third of the taxable prop
erty. A large proportion Of this property
too, consists Of cattle which, as soon as
taxes become burdensome will be moved
to new ranges and to where taxes are not
SO heavy, leaving the county expenses to
be paid by those least able to bear them.
What advantage would a division be
to us? They tell us that it will make it
more convenient for us in the transaction
Of county business. Granted; but when
a man goes to the county seat to transact
public business, he is generally well paid
for his inconvenience, and since the
building of the railroad the going and
returning is but pleasure trip.
They will also tell us that division
will benefit Livingston and raise the value
of our land. Why should we wish to
benefit Livingston. What has she done
for us? We have never been able to buy
goods as cheap there as in Bozeman, the
difference on many articles being suffic-
lent to pay freight by teams over the
range. Livingston has not made
market for us. have known ranchmen
to take produce, such as butter, eggs,
potatoes, onions, ETC., there and find it
almost impossible to sell them, the mer-
chants having 'just received supply
from St. Paul" A farmer may 60 to a
dealer there to dispose of his crop or
grain and although that dealer is ship
ping grain from other points and of
course knows just what it costs him it is
impossible to get him to make bid on
the grain.
A short time ago the Board of Trade of
Livingston memoriaiized congress urging
it to confirm the title of the Northern
Pacific to lands which it has justly for
feited, for which act do not think there
is settler in the Territory, who will say
that we owe them good turn. In JUS
tice to the above named body will say
that there is motion before it to recon-
slider the act referred to.
By the way democrats over here are
beginning to wonder at the conspicuous
silence of Maginnis on the subject of the
Northern Pacific land forfeiture, and
republicans are beginning to speak of
Burleigh as "our delegate in congress"
1 think that Livingston may be classified
as strictly railroad town. 1t has been
built up and "boomed" principally by the
railroad company, and its emmissaries,
and the interests of the railroad and those
Of the settlers being antagonistic, the lat
ter should refrain from doing anything
that will work into the hands of the
former.
A division will increase the value of
our lands. That is lame argument. 1t
may increase its taxable value but will
not make it more productive, and but
few wish to sell, 80 where is the benefit?
It will give the railroad an excuse to
add few dollars to the price asked for
theirs.
1t is claimed that the railroads will
contribute largely to the county funds.
l have been credibly informed that the
railroad company has already convinced
certain judge that the ties and iron
when laid on the track become part of
the road-bed (Which is now exempt from
taxation), and how long will it be till
they prove (?) that their rolling stock
and buildings are part of the same?
A division will probably become nee
essary in the course of time, but it GER
tainly should be postponed until the bulk
Of the land passes into the hands of in
dividuals. Yours very Respectfully,
YEILowsroNE.