The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-01-16
The Necessity Of Territorial Board
Of Equalization Gambling and
Sunday Observance.
A Suggestion that Congress be Me-
morialized 10 Donate Land for
an Industrial College.
Bou nty on Wild Animals--The His
torical Library--Examiner Of
Public Accounts.
TERRITORY OF MONTANA,
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
HELENA. Jan. IA. 1889.

TO the Honorable Memberb OF the Council
and House Of the Legislature of Montana:
II becomes my official position TO wei
come you to The responsible duties the
electors of Montana have placed IN your
hands, and 10 assist you In the discharge
those duties for the public good. Trusting
In your fidelity, they have called you TO
prosperous territory. At this crisis In our
history, when we expect soon 10 assume
the dignity and responsibilities OF state
hood, your position becomes more respon-
sible and more honored than any OF your
predecessors; in no small degree your la
bors may aid in laying broad and deep the
foundations of the coming commonwealth
Of Montana. Spanning nearly tive degrees
of latitude and twelve OF longitude, inter-
spersed by vast mountain chains, Mon
tana will serve as the connecting link be-
tween the Pacific and central states, with the
Atlantic statesso closely allied making one
indestructible union. Our mountains veined
with gold and silver and the more useful
metals, our placers filled with gold, and
wide prairies covered with grasses, are
fast giving us individual and public
wealth. To secure the greatest prosperity
ln these vast industries will require your
best thought and ripest statesmanship. In
dustres so varied and so extensive, over
broad areas, require laws 10 be most care
fully adjusted and compromises skilfully
made for all these wants and necessities.
In discharging these grave responsibilities,
1 shall most cheerfully cooperate with you
TO secure the best results Of our united
labors In behalf Of Montana.
FINANCE.
The financial condition Of this territorial
government Is sound and healthy. At the
close Of the last fiscal year-slst day Of
December, lsSs-the territory was out OF
debt, and there was In the treasury one
hundred snd fourteen thousand three Lun-
dred and forty dollars. and forty-elght
cents (S1l4, ,9t04S) sbalance OF the
general fund In cash; four thousand nine
hundred and tbirty-nlne dollars and
six cents (s4.939.o6) balance of the
stock inspection and detective fund; nine
thousand and eighty-six dollars and
sixty four cents (Sg,0s6 a. balance OF
the stock indemnity fund; and one thOus-
and eight hundred and twenty-six dol.
lars and ffty-eigbt cents sl,s26 5s)
balance OF sheep Inspector and indem'
nifty fund. Every citizen OF Montana must
feel proud OF this healthy condition Of the
government. The auditors and treasurer's
reports for the year just ended will be laid
before you for your examination and
action thereon.
There is hardly people anywhere who
pay more cheerfully and promptly their
taxes. Nevertheless, II Is a solemn duty
upon you, and | urge that you make such
enactments as will secure the assessment
for taxation all the taxable property OF the
territory. Not that the government needs
more money, but In order that the burdens
Of government may rest more equally upon
the people. IL you will make such laws as
10 certainly secure the assessment OF all
the property (which by law Ia taxable) the
peoples taxes may be reduced one-half,
and the same amount or more money col
lected. Equality and uniformity in the
taxation imposed upon people are al ways
desirable. and held 20 be a feature Of
justice In the government II you will
take the pains 10 study the assessed values
fixed upon the same class Of property in
different parts OF this territory there will
Dt tftu SUCH klhftuk ulUfftntt ha 10
shock all sense Of fairness and every prn-
ciple OF Justice The only remedy for
this. In the legislation Of Montana, Is that
there be enacted law creating q board Of
equalization, after the fashion Of other and
older governments. and vest that tribunal
with the power 20 revise, harmonze and
equallze the values for assessable purposes
all over the territory.
In entering upon the duties OF legisla-
tion for your constituency you are con-
fr0nted with the laws Of Montana which
provide, as ore OF the means OF raising rev.
enue TO carry on the government that per
sons may buy for price from the govern
ment the privilege of carrying on
the business OF gambling sell.
ing whisky and other lntoxlca-
ting drinks When these privileges, or
any of them, are bought, and a license Ii
Issued, the purchaser can proceed any
where, and on every day, including Sun
day, Of the time for which he has pur-
chased the privilege, ~ openly and publicly
push his licensed business. IL is well
known fact that each OF these ayOcations Is
prosecuted with great persistence all over
this prosperous country. Each business Is
gathering every day from the ranks Of In
n0cent, uD Dsuspecting youth, and from con
tented households, recruits for the pen-
tentiary and the hangman's trap. The
fruits rpsultinn from the conduct Of these