Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1886-10-06
THE RECORD.

Deer Lodge contemporary admits it's errt
in n matter but plunges into anoth'
! ! error with the facility it extricates itse
from the first. We propose to deal fair
with the New Northwest and will give
the full benefit of what it says in it's lal
, issue concerning the matter by reproducil
. it's article. Here it is:
1--WE were in error last week in Stair
Col. Sanders was not q member OF the E.
. ira Session of 1879. In that The MINE
Y was correct. He a q member Of tt
!, House. But no Territorial subsidy wha
ever was asked for either branch at tbs
session, and no railroad subsidy or exen
ton bill of any character whhtever wa
: passed upon, considered, or even introdu
ed in the House. While the Democrat
Council" to which TIE MINER refers wa
Juggling and sh~illyshallying with railroa
legislation, Col. Sanders, as the Journal
chow, was carefully attending to bushes
in the House, preparing and perfecting act
to enable Butte to build q Jail and schoe
house, to enable Missoula County to aver
the almost inevitable bankruptcy in whic
a Democratic administration had plunge
her, and other useful, corrective and rem
edial legislation. By the way, will MI
Searles, editor of The MINER skiIdiy stat
what his position was on the several raj
road subsidy and exemption schemes tina
were proposed to the people Of Montana
As he has endeavored to make a poin
against Col. Sanders on these matters, i
is only fair that his " record thereon
should be known. We respectfully ask
Did you favor or oppose the measures re
ferred to? and howf"
While This matter may not be OF yer.
great Importance to the average newspape
reader, there are those who take more thai
a passing interest in the railroad legisla
ton of this Territory. and for the benefit Q
such, and in ordrr to set at rest furthe
controversy upon this subject with GU.
valley contemporary, we will produce tn
record of such proceedings of that session
as bear more directly upon the matter
| We have before us the published Journal
| of the Council ard House of the extraordi
nary session CT 1879, to the fly leaf o
which is attached a little strip OF paper
bearing these words: with compliment
| of James H. Mills, Secretary of Montana
The MINER stated that that extra SEES
| sion OF the Territorial Legislative Assem-
bly, was called by Governor Potts, ostensi
| bly, to consider other matters. but really
for the purpose of considering a subsidy to
the Utah & Northern Railway. THA
MINER also stated that Col. Sanders was
the head and front of a syndicate Of subsi'
dists who, if they had passed their meas
ures, would have saddled this Territory
with a load of debt that would have put
| Montana back a quarter OF a century in its
march toward Statehood. The MINER
still adheres to these declarations. And
those who are acquainted with the history
OF that extraordinary session and with
Col. Sanders position upon subsidy ques.
items know that TIE MINER did not err in
it's statements.
In order to show the real purpose fol
which that session a called, we repro
duce the larger portion of Governor Potts
message to the Legislative Assembly after
it had convened at Helena on the first day
of July, 1879. In view of the presence o
two great railroads in the Territory, anc
in view of the fact that another one il
Fastening with ali possible speed into it
and only one of which was subsidized-ane
that by a Republican administration-th,
arguments Of the Governor make rather
amusing reading. Here is what the Cover
nor says:
l have the honor to submit for your con
sideration q proposition from the presi
dent OF the Union Pacific Railroad Com
pauy "a copy OF the same is TRANSMITTED
herewlth) containing the terms upon which
said company will extend the Utah &
Northern Railroad into thfs Territory.
believe the proposition is the best that raj
be obtained, ia reasonable, and should b,
accepted by the Territory. The officers O
the Union Pacific Railroad Company dc
not hesitate 20 say that the Utah & North
ern Railroad will not be extended any fur
Their north thar is necessary to control the
business OF the Territory, unless friendly
legislation is extended. I am aware that
the opponents of exemption assert that
tie road will be extended into the Territory
without any friendly legislation. Now, il
any evidence can be produced to sustain
this position, I will gladly join in opposing
exemption, or any other aid. l am salts
fed the people of the Territory desire rail
road communication, and favor extending
such friendly legislation as will insure the
construction of a railroad into the Terri.
tory at an early day. In the year 1875
Lewis and Clarke County voted almost
unanimously $35O,OOO in BONDS for the
construction OF a railroad from Helena to
a subsidy of $3,OOO, 600 of coupon
bonds to the Northern Pacific Railroad, the
vote Of the Territory stood 1854 for the
subsidy and 1926 against it. Madison
County voted sos for to 1876 against; Gal
latin County, 700 for and 80 against; JET.
ferson County, 342 for and 1S9 against:
Lewis and Clarke, 56S for and 700 against.
This vote is the latest expression of public
sentiment on the question of railroad legis-
lation, and the large vote for a money sub
sidy, that reached nearly one.third OF the
tax duplicate OF the Territory at that date.
will certainly justify the present legislature
in procuring the construction OF q railroad
into the Territory for the small considera-
ton OF exempting the road from taxation
Tor the period of fifteen years. The pre-
tended claim that exemption is the worst
OF subsidy. is not entitled to any con-
at the hands of reasonable men,
or exemption does not even imply the
1aymont of ony money. or the issue If
bonds. or in any manner involve the credit
II the Territory. The experience of every
country penetrated by railroads clearly de-
nonstrates that every section of Montana
will be benefited by the construction of a
abroad to the important business points
the Territory. If 1 did not believe that
railroad would add materially to the
prosperity Of the people, I certainly would
ct favor the legislation suggested.
l trust you will approach this question
npartially and without passion or local
rejudice. Each member is a representa-
We OF the Territory at large, and not a
zeal representative. Although zach mem.
er is elected by a portion of the people OF
ne Territory, each is a member for the
hole Territory. Being members of the
,tire Territory, no mere local interest
,ould control your action as legislators. I
ne members from Deer Lodge should be
0 less vigilant in protecting the interests
the people of Madison, OF Miesoula. of
allatin. or OF Lewis and Clarke, than of
le people of Deer Lodge. No member acts !
!sely who acts only for his W locality.
lthout consulting the general welfare of I
people OF the whole Territory. Ii
B. F. Porrs. ,
Helena, July 1, 1879. |.
this very extraordinary
essage is the following copy of the propo.
ion referred to, with an explanatory b
ter from President Dillon: {
New YORK, April II, 1879. c
Hon. B. F. Potts, Governor of Montana: b
The Union Pacific Railroad Company y
oppose to extend the Utah & Northern j..