Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1885-03-19

itdi ot tnis ttTfitoIy. 1Hts vdtstsol "a
never been submitted to the people, an
| for this reason congress has several time
refused to appropriate funds for capiti
/ buildings, saying that whenever the pee
pie selected location, it would fur
| Their consider the application for an az
preparation for this purpose. Ever sine
this territory has been organized the fedora
government has paid rent Tor the legis
lative halls used by the territorial ieaisla
ture. In other territories wherein tn
seat Of territorial government has becl
located BY vote Of the people, congress
has appropriated funds for suitable capi
toll buildings. Doubtless idaho Teriitor,
could have an appropriation for such /;
purpose il the capital grounds were Sc
lected, as required by the statute. Ths
| whole scheme Of territorial government
is only instituted for the purpose Of pro
yiding laws for local purposes. The ter
riiory and everything appertaining there
to, belong to the government of the Uni
ted States, and is as much part Of the
federal property, as is the capitol build
Ing at Washington. As proposition Of
law we claim that it is not within ths
power Of territorial legislature to tax
the people Of this territory for the con
struction ola building for the use and
purpose Of territorial capitol to be used
by the government, even upon grounds
definitely located, any more than il
can levy q tax to construct an addition
% be attached TO the capitol buildings
at Washington. The federal government
does not ask the people living in small
section to construct its buildings, much
less will it allow the enforcement Of tax
icr that purpose. The organic act pro,
yides Tor the various expenditures to be
made in carrying on the territorial govern
mcnt; such az providing suitable rooms
for the session Of the legislature, the pay
Tof the Legislators, &C., ard expressly
states that "no expenditure shall be made
BY said legislative assembly MT srecifi
cally authorized by the act Of congress
making the appropriations, nor beyond
the sums thus appropriated for such Oh
jects.' There has been no act Of con.
sress authorizing levy II tax for the
construction Of building to be used
as territorial capitol. Thus it is seer
that the late legislature has attempted t.
burden the people Of this territory with
a debt Or $4,000 for the construction
ofa building to DO used by the federal
government as territorial capitol
If the people Of this territory
VI ul construct such building
there is nothing to require thu
sacrsta-y Of the territory to use the build
Ing for TIE Legislature; as BY law he il
required to provide suitable rooms and
pay ior tho same out Of the government
fund. Do the people Of the territor,
wish 70 build an $4,000 building /,
rent to the government without any as
snrance that the government will rem
the same? Every one knows that til,
burden Of tax upon the people Of a terri
tory y very great. County building
must be constructed, bridges built ans
roads mada at public expense, all 0
which require more money than th,
ordinary settler can afford to pay. T,
increase tho burden BY adding al
$50, 900 debt to erect capitol building,
under the facts and circumstances tha
exist IN this case, is more than the pco
pie are inclined to sanction. No on,
knew that such scheme was even mootet
until alter i had been passed. Tho secre,
manner In which this bill was handled
md the parties who wsre instrumental
in securing its passage, indicate jobbery
in the extreme, which naturally arouse
the indignation Of the taxpayer. 1t i.
reported that parties are now travelling
IN the east for tha purpose Of selling ths
bonds which are to DO issued to construct
the capitol building. By what authority
Or at whose Instance these men have been
sent out i not known. 1t lis evident
that the people Of Boise are extremely
anxions 70 have these bonds circulated
before any question as to their validity
can buraised, We do not believe TINT a
single dollar can DO collected upon these
bonds---cvcu in the hands Of innocent
purchasers, As they are, ia our opinion,
invalid, for want Of proper authority to
issue them for the purpose which they
are intended. We do not wish 70 see
any one lose money in purchasing the
bonds. but We are informed that il they
are not declared voii before they come
duo their payment viii be rcaisted Il
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