The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-04-25

We are glad to see the writer Of the above,
and his opinions have weight by virtue Of
their authority, giving his reasons for oppos-
ing the Court House project. 1t has been
charged and re-charged, very justly, that
there has been much expression on this ques-
ton compared to the reasons and facts, pro
and con, that have been presented. We have
offered our columns to As great extent as pos
sible, gratis, to those who had views to pre-
sent on either side, and must confess disap-
pointment that the opportunity was so
largely confined on one side to simply de-
claring opposition 10 the measure, and on
the other to silence. We regarded 1t a q
business matter Of importance, in which
every taxpayer of the county was . joint
PARTNER, and believed there would be called
out business discussion of the issue. With
few exceptions this has not resulted, and the
Commissioners, holding that they were the
persons to consider the arguments and not
to offer them, have also remained silent.
While the Board has not yet received and
considered its bids on warrants or on the
building, or formulated its plans, leaving
contingencies that may materially effect the
situation, and while 1t Is yet understood
their authority to proceed 10 to be legally
contested, pending the determination Of
which matters no considerate frie nd of the
measure would unequivocally declare for it.,
there are objections offered above that can
AZ we'll be discussed now as then.
The matter Of taxation.-No one can
deny the importance of It. Were 1t not that
the building must be paid for by taxation on
the property of the county, opposition to it
would not be worthy of moments consid-
Grafton. Were II evident that the contem-
plated action would render taxes unduly bur-
densome-for all taxes are burdensome-ne
man should advocate It. The question is:
What is the necessity for the expenditure,
and will it effect taxation to the injury of the
county? The Commissioners hold that the
building Is necessary for the best interests of
the county, and assert their belief that 1t can
be paid for without increasing the present
rate of taxes, which is 10 mills. The first
section Of the proposition Is one that has
been so often discussed it is unnecessary to
enter into it here, and we have to do with
the second, and the suggestions Of Mr.. Grit
fifth in connection herewith. The assess
ment Of this county last year was s2,677 ,776,
and the tax levy 16 mills. The revenues of
the general fund of the county were s33, 155.
The county, aside from its extraordinary sx-
penditures, Just about kept even for the fiscal
year. There is not doubt exists among
those best informed that the assessment roll
this year will reach 81 o00, 00u on fair valua-
ton and close listing of taxable property In
the county, and it will never be any less.
The increase rs listed in Deer Lodge county
last year was only Sc, 560; being much the
smallest Of any county in the Territory. The
present rate, and only the same amount of
license money, will yield s40,O to s45, 900 to
the general fund this year according to
whether or mills is diverted to the general
fund. II the current expenses are no greater
hereafter than the preceding year, this would
leave sufficient surplus to pay the interest
on s1O0, 900 debt. Under any fair estimate Of
the increase In licenses and Of property there
would be an additional amount sufficient to
establish sinking fund to extinguish the
debt in twelve. or fifteen years. This con-
templates, Of course, wise financial manage
ment Of county affairs, and the people have
1t in their own hands to select commission
ers at succeeding elections.
Now as to the relative assessable property,
debt, and tax rat. in this and other counties,
we submit herewith the following from the
latest Territorial Auditors report: