The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-07-02

lei 10 h large parG OF lS pOpulatlO
build up towns and cities, and co
" tribute immensely to its wealth al
. prosperity. As before suggested, Il
expediency and policy of these e
emptions are questioned by some, b.
- il found to be inequttable, they ms
- be Obliterated by an amendment
the Constitution.
e The rate of taxation for State pu
J poses can never exceed three ~ mil
. on the d0llarj and whenever the tai
l able property amounts to one hui
3 dred million dollars, the rate cann<
> exceed two ~ mills on the dollaI
: and whenever the taxable pr0pert
amounts to three hundred millie
: dollars, the rate thereafter shall nc
exceed one ~ mill on the dollar, ur
less a proposition to increase the rate
> specifying The rate proposed, is frs
: submitted to and approved by q ma
jOrity of the voters of the State. Thi
constitutional restriction secures al
inexpensive Safe government from
the beginning.
PUBLIC INDEBTEDNESS.
This article commits the state, ant
every county, city. town, township
and school district against lendin,
the credit thereof, directly or iadl
rectly,t to or in aid of any person com
pany, or corporation, for any amount
or for any purpose whatever. Copn'
ties are also prohibited from contract
ing any Indebtedness, for any pur-
pose, beyond five (5) per cent, of the
value Of their taxable property. A
like provision is made concerning
cities, towns, townships and school
districts. limiting their power to e
ate an indebtedness beyond three 81
per cent. of their valuation. The dis
position OF all new States, and the
municipal subdivisions thereof, is to
60 in debt. We believe ths.t the fu.
ture will vindicate the wisdom and
propriety of these constitutional pro-
hibitions.
CORPOR ATIONS.
Amonog other things In this
Constitution which ought to
commend it to the people
of this Territory is the provis-
ION subjectiDg railroad, Transports
zion and express companies to legisla-
tive control. The power to regulate
and control by law the rates of
charges for the transportation of
passengers and freight by such COM
panies as common carriers from one
point TO another, within the Stete. is
expressly asserted, and unjust dis
elimination in charges prohibited.
All railroad, express or other trans>
portation companies, in existence at
the time of the adoption Of this Con-
stitution. are prevented from having
the benefit OF any future legislation,
until they shall have dled with the
Secretary of State an acceptance of
the provisions of this Constitution,
in binding form.
FREE PASSES.
Stringent provisions are made
against railroad and other transport
tation companies issuing or public
officers receiving any free pass over
slch roa1s. While these provisions
are in keeping with the later consti-
tutions, they were, when first con-
sldered by the Convention, deemed
to be more properly subjects for leg
'slative action than otherw se; a full
discussion of the matter, however,
only served to show that an almost
unanimous public sentiment was de-
handing that the Constitution should
speak emphatically upon the subject.
Yielding to this sentiment. nothing
was left for legislative action.
Having thus briefly calledssyour at
tentlon to such portions of the Consti>
tuition as seem 10 us the most impor-
tant, we submit the same to YOU with
the earnest hope that it will be
adopted. Every interest we have IN
demands it, and we believe
That all the citizens of Montana, with |
out political difference or divisions.
Will now and here, and at all tim 8
places demand and untlinchinglv |
maintain the inherent and inalienabie |
right of self government with almost
unanimity. As citizeus we
pay our taxes, observe and obev the
laws, and loyalty support and defend
The Constitution of our country. It
be said thai, because we have
ceased to be citizens of q State and are
engaged in laying the foundation of
future great commonwealth, the
tate OF Montana, we have lost any
rlgnt tnat pertains to OF is inherent
n q citizen OF the United States of
America. Therefore as to u right
md interest in demanding statehood
here are to be considered two propo-
First, that of population. That we
nave now a sufficient number Of bona
5de citizens to we'll and sufficiently
maintain q State government will be
satisfactorily demonstrated at our
general electi n, when this con-
will be submitted for YOUR
uffrages.
W. have within Montana all the
dement's Of solid and enduring
wealth; a climate, for health, vigor,
nd real enjoyment unsurpassed on
he face of the globe; an area of coun.
ry as large as the New England
'tates; mines which are to-day the
aost prolific in the world; u facill-
lies for raising live stock most cheap
Y but with great:profit are unequaled
nd are attracting the stockmen
throughout the States; our soil is rich
nd wonderfully productive of all the
ecessaries and many of the Injuries
life, school and mail facilities
excellent; lens of thousands of
We stock are now being driven from
le States to Montana as q profitable
aterprise; manufactures are increas-
'g; our towns and cities are build
'g; railroads traverse the Territory
ON different directions; the COM
ensatiOn for labor is liberal; these I
Id other considerations are now con- |
lclng to bring settlers in great num-
.rs, and capital in large amounts .
Thin our TerritOria al limits, 9
Secondly, But the chief considera- '
is that of Revenue. /
Can we maintain and pay for the b
creased expense of a State govern /,
eat without increased taxation? If :
lis question can be assuredly an Y
7ered in the Affirmative, then we Il