, 1890-02-18


terday afternoon and Roedel was Sc
lected to preside at the session of com
mittee of the whole.
Big Horn county. proposed, will con-
sist OF nearly the entire north half OF
Fremont county and parcels off the east
sides of johnson and Sheridan counties.
1t is to be organized when 300 electors Pc
tition, the valuation reaches 81. 500, 900
and Z 1900. 900 will be left in Free
mont and johnson counties.
Mr.. Pickett read an argument ON Mr..
Burritt's motion to change the valuation
figure to 81, 900, 0O0. He said the people
were shut in on three sides by mountain
ranges impossible a greater portion of the
year. that the only feasible outlet was to
the north. that journeys to the Fremont
and johnson county seats we're costly and
frequently perilous. Two-thirds of the
new county would come from Fremont
and the remainder from johnson and
Sheridan. The Fremont people had en-
dorsed the segregation project and its
legislative representatives would so act.
Sheridan's delegate in the house was with
the diyisionists. The basis was prospec.
lively very wealthy. with fertile valleys,
cattle in good condition, with big calf and
colt CROPS. and much iron, with silver,
gold, coal and oil. The protection to life
and property was small at present and its
people isolated from their seats Of gov
eminent. though two railways were an
ticipated. Col. Pickett presented many
figures and dwelt on the business of al
lowing organization. The people would
be economical n desired separation I'M
der this bill to avoid the constitutional
provision on county organization and the
bill would probably not 20 into effect for
three years.
Mr.. Burritt replied at length to Col.
Pickett and included an array of vital
data in his remarks. He prefaced his ad-
dress by the declaration that John
son ounty was willing. even anxious. to
part with the basin territory. The foun
dation of his argument was the sound
ground that taxes from the valuation fig
ures were insufficient to support a county
unless salaries were materially cut down
and at present there seemed no prospect
of a fee bill passing at this session. John
son %county's debt was now near the limit
and it required the most economical ad-
ministration to ave the credit of the
county. To insure careful management
party ties had been severed and commits
sioners selected for their worth and ability
by agreement of the two political parties.
Again. to keep down expenses. $4,000
worth of work had been contributed by
patriotic citizens to the road and bridge
fund. Life and property we're safe in the
basin. johnson county kept an efficient
deputy sheriff there. johnson had been
violently cast asunder two years Ago.,
making two counties with debts to start
on Sheridan had reason to wish for the
formation Of Big Horn, as it would re-
lieve them of some Objectionable citizens.
The gentleman regretted much to confess
that by the removal of cattle to Montana
the taxable wealth of johnson had been
decreased not a little, and that the same
was true Of the basin country. He con-
cluded with the assertion that johnson
could not exist with less than 81, 900, 900
of assessed valuation.
Nh. Adams ~valiantly came to the de-
tense of the tenth assembly, excepting to
Mr.. Burritt's violent disruption" of
johnson two years ago. He said its
division was urged by its representatives
in the house. He represents property on
both sides of the range.
Mr.. Burritt responded that he had not
Intentionally assailed the last legislature,
but would say that Johnson's delegates
in that body were all residents of what is
now Sheridan county.
Mr.. Mccormick made one of his plain
talks on the question. He had no figures
but would say that he believed counties
should be organized when the people we're
willing and able.
Debate was closed by Mr.. Kellogg in
a happy style. He was glad Sheridan
had been organized if it sent Mr..
Burritt to the legislature. forced economy
and sent preachers and lawyers to manual
labor Tor a day or two.
COUNTY PETITIONS.
Messrs. Burritt and Pickett presented
petitions signed by residents of the pro-
posed county Of Big Horn. asking fo- IA
vorable consideration OF Col. Pickett's
bill for the formation of the subdivision.
Mr.. Pickett's petition is from Fremont
county people who will be cut off and Mr..
Burritt's from johnson and Sheridan cit
liens who will be in the new county.
sEcoND READING.
Mr.. Roedel's militia bill was read a
second time. amended as suggested by
committee and ordered cngrossed.
CONSTITUTION EXPENSES.
Mr.. Burritt has introduced a bill ap
propriating $500 to compensate employees
and 5000 to defray expenses of the late
constitutional convention. These are the
items: