The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-04-02

Exprrssrs his Views on VariUsss SWbjecss
Of General Interest.



EprroRs ARGUs-I sent you copies
of the Fergus county and Jail bills from
Helena on the ISth with memoran-
dunn attached, and promised you
something later about our legislative
proceedings.
A new country like Montana needs
new laws occasionally. as new condi-
tions arise, ard changes in old ones.
but to a matter-of-faci man like my
self it looks as il the people of these
United States are governed too much
and taxed too much.
The genius of our republican instl-
tutions is the exercise OF the largest
personal liberty consistent with public
safety. But We have our Federal,
State, Territorial, County, Township
and Municipal governments, wheels
within wheels, all paid for and sup
ported by the people. Our Territorial
legislature, meeting every two years.
sitting sixty days, acting on over goo
bills as at this session, $50 of them be-
coming laws, at the same rate we
have a new law or an old one amended
every week. 1t would take the aver
age human all their spare time to read,
digest and commit to memory, these
rules made for their conduct. Of
course they don't do it, therefor there
are many laws on our statutes that are
not generally known, such as the one
forbidding marriages between cousins;
many that are dead letters like those
prohibiting killing game and hsh at
certain seasons. prohibiting minors
from gambling. etc.
Again. we do not always send the
best men to make laws any more than
we elect the best men to fill our county
offices. They are generally nominated
by clique at the county seat and tor
the purpose of beating some one nom
mated by the dbposite party, conse-
uuen;ly our legislative servants are not
often much, il any. above the average
= of our people. Some of them young
men of only few months, a, best
few years residence in the Territory
some of them lawyers, and while good
. sound. conservative lawyers are gcner
ally useful members Of Legislative bodies
familiar with law and good takers
they are at the same time the mos
combativc and contentious body q
men in the world. II is their business
they do the best they can for their cll
en,s whether right or wrong. In TIL
practice of their profession they ar
always opposing and being opposed b
somebody. This contentious spiri
acquired by habit. is too often carrie
into our legislative assemblies, hinder
L. legislation and often defeats goo
measures. We had plenty Of sue
material in our last legislature an
= much time was consumed, at least
the house, durin, the earlier weeks {
!, the session in useless harangues, like
lot of boys when given stent tor
DAYS work will often play nearly a
day then run over and half do the
. work in the few hours left. The Go'
ernor had fifty-one bills presented
lie him for his approval and signature ate
II O'Clock the last day OF the session
and only fity-sevcn during the 9th,
e fifty-nine days. Another class OF o'
structionists, (more plenty in the cou'
Gil than IN the house) were alwa.
ready to adjourn, the council only b
- Ing in session four hours the last ii;
but one. and until after midnight Il
last day; many Of the most impofta1
bills passing both houses and receivlI
ID Governors signature OFT Thrive
last day, among them the salary bl
Two bills Of this character were bcio
the legislature, one originating IN al
amended at length in the council al
known as the Fergus Fee Bill, e
which l spent much time). the 9th
originated in the house and known
g the Potts Salary Bill. This bill W
- amended in the council by addll
some of the features of the Ferg
fee bill to it, making its operation mo
uniform, but making il take effect II
mediately as to the offices OF asscss'
justices and constables. Both bl
were sent to the house from the cou
Gil on the last day and it passed t
salary bill as amended which is M
the law. twill prove to be much b
ter for the Office holder. particular
the sheriff s, than the fee bill. Twin
lowered the fees on an average abe
20 per cent?. but not SO good tor
Taxpayers. Much fault is found
some of the assessors. particularly
those of Lewis * Clarke and {