The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1885-03-25
THE STOCK COMMISSION.
General Provisions Of the Stock Commls-
sioners and Inspectors Law, Passed
by the Late Legislature

The first sections of the law provide
for the appointment by the governor OF
six commissioners, one for each Of the
following counties: Choteau, Custer,
Dawson, Lewis and Clarke, Meagher
and Yellowstone. They hold their posi-
tons for two years, but receive no pay
or mileage for their services.
Sec. 6. It shall be the duty Of said
commissioners TO exercise a general su-
pervisiOn over and SO far as may be, TO
protect the stock interests of the terri
tory from theft and disease, and devise
and recommend from time to time such
legislation as in their judgment will
foster this important industry Said
board OF commissioners may take all
necessary and lawful steps, procure all
necessary and lawful process for the at
tendance Of witnesses, and employ any
counsel they may deem proper to assist
in the prosecution of any person or per-
sons arrested a. hereinafter provided,
and it shall he the duty Of said board,
whenever they deem it necessary, to
assist in the prosecution Of any and all
persons guilty Of any Of the crimes and
misdemeanors against the laws of this
territory, in feloniously branding or
stealing any stock, or any other crime
or misdemeanor under the laws of this
territory for the protection of the rights
and interests Of stock owners.
Sec 7. The said board of stock COM
missiOners are hereby authorized, and
it is made their duty, to appoint such
stock inspectors and detectives as they
may deem necessary for the better pro-
lection Of the live stock interests of the
territory.
Section provides that the stock in
spectors and detectives shall file bond
in the SUM Of 50, 1000 for the faithful dis
charge Of their duties.
Sec. 8. Said stock detectives and in
spectors are hereby empowered. and it
shall be their duty, to arrest all per-
sons who shall violate the stock laws of
this territory, which shall come under
their observation, and shall, upon infor-
nation that any person or persons have
committed any crime or misdemeanor
against the laws of this territory, in
teloniously branding or stealing any
stock, or any other crime or misdemean
or under any Of the laws ofthis territory
for the protection of the rights and in
terests Of stock owners, make the
examination of such person or persons,
and shall, upon warrant issued therefor
by any officer authorized to issue the
same, Immediately arrest such person
or persons, and bring them before the
officer issuing said warrant, or any other
officer authorized to act in case of his
absence or inability to act, to be dealt
with according to law, and shall make
due return of said warrant and notify
said board Of stock commissioners of his
acts and doings in that behalf.
Sec. 10. Said stock inspectors and de-
tectiyes shall be under the exclusive
direction and control Of said board Of
stock commissioners, and shall be paid
for their services such sums as may be
agreed upon by the board out Of the
funds hereinafter provided for, butin no
case shall they'receive any mileage:
Sec. II. 1t Shall be the duty Of the
board of county commissioners OF each
county named in this act, at the time or
levying the annual tax, to levy such tax
as shall be recommended by said board
of stock commissioners, not exceeding
p mills on the dollar, upon the assessed
valuation of all cattle, horses, mules ana
asses, in their respective counties, Whlch
shall be collected as other taxes upon
l4ht property, dAu NhCA ~ S0Aa
paid into the hands of the territoria
treasurer who shall keep the same as
separate fund, to be known as the stock
Inspector and detective fund, and which
said fund shall be used in defraying any
expenses incurred under the provisions
of this act, and for such other purposes
as in the Judgment of said stock com
missioners shall best subserve the stock
interests of the territory.
Section II requires the county com
missioners of the counties named to levy
as above provided a special tax OF two
mills for the year 1885 at their first regu-
lar meeting after the passage Of the act.
Persons owning ten cows, or less, or
two horses or mules are exempt from
taxation under the act.
The stock commissioners audit all bills
and the expenditures of any year must
not exceed the special tax levied for that
year.
The board of stock commissioners for
the first term, appointed by the COVER
nor and confirmed by the council, are
Choteau, r. p. Walker; Custer, Frank
Robertson; Dawson, J. T.. Day; Lewis
and Clarke, Robt. Hamilton; Meagher.
Granville Stuart; Yellowstone, A. >. 4
1Iic