The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-07

which our fertile soil will be made to re-
spond in a greatly increased measure. Our
oft asserted claim for the capacity of our
soil to produce the best and most prolific
yield of wheat, oats and barley has been
fully established and maintained.
Our great and diversified resources, by
which we are self-supporting, have made
us virtually independent of the financial
stress which has lately oppressed with dis
aatryug effects less favored communities.
A brief reference to official data fur
nished this Office j~ustifies the following
comparative statement:
Total assessment. ....... $79.376,9A $l12.457 BOB
Mineral output ......... $2.0l2,0W $4l,146,WO
No. horses, sheep, cattle. 1,Ssl,2os 2,36e,4s2
No. bushels Of wheat,
oats, barley produced. 2,8AS,l9 4,lll,SO7
No. pounds OF wool pro- =. . ~,
Na auc Quart mills and re- '''' '''''
duction furnaces oper- O ~,
No. bushels Of coal
No. miles OF completed
Ra sSi15Ssff from ali sources sl4s, s iiC7 70 $780, ,42 ss;' 'Ss
Paid out since Nov. 8, 1889, $193, 437. so;
unpaid claims against the state requiring
appropriations approximately, $l67. slO92;
money in treasury Dec. 81, 1880, $1S7, 181.49.
A table showing net indebtedness of lthe
several counties upto March l, 1880, and in
crease or decrease for the year ending Feb.
hibit BIZ also a table showing the condition
of the several funds and the amounts con-
tributed to each BY the several counties is
marked Exhibit c."
This remarkable march of progress, when
augmented by federal legislation looking to
the reclamation of our arid lands and the
increase of the circulating medium which
will follow the free and unlimited coinge Of
our silver. will reach a point far beyond the
expectations of the most sanguine.
But our great resources and almost limit
less possibilities should not tempt US into
improvident expenditures of the peoples
money. Against this the constitution stands
as an insurmountable barrier. Sec. 10 of Art.
~, of the constitution is important at the
outset.
Sec, 10, No appropriation shall be made
or any expenditures authorized by the iegls-
of the state during any fiscal wear shall ex-
coed the total tax then provided for by law,
and applicable to such appropriation or ex-
penditure, unless the legislative assembly
making such appropriation shall provide
for .levying a sufficient tax, NOT exceedlng
article, to pay such appropriation or expen-
ditures within such fiscal year. b provi-
sion shall not apply to appropriations or
expenditures to suppress instruction, de-
fend the state, or assist IN defending the
United States in time of war. No appro-
~priation of public moneys shall be made
for a longer term than two years..
Considerable difficulty has at times been
experienced in carrying on the necessary
affairs of the state which Will be spoken of
hereafter under appropriate headings. This
has resulted from a want OF the necessary
into effect and to meet many new condi-
tions which nave arisen on account of the
change from territorial to state govern
ment, but upon the whole we have succeed
ed fairly we'll. The prospect for the future
ia inviting and the wholesome restraints of
orr constitution above referred to are safe
guarantee against mourning indebtedness
beyond our ability to pay.
State Levy.
One of the first acts which you will be
called npon to perform will be under Sec.
/, Art. II, of the constitution requiring you
to '.levy a uniform rate of assessment and
taxatlon.'' Sec. 8 of the same article is as
follows:
Sec, 9.-The rate of taxation of real and
personal property for state purposes in any
one year shall never exceed three (3) mills
on each dollar of valuations; and whenever
the taxable property in the state shall
amount to enc hundred million dollars
($1OO,O 0 ,OOO), the rate shall not exceed two
and ono-half mills on each dollar of valua-
ton; and whenever the taxable property in
the state shall amount to three hundred
million dollars ($3OO, 0OO, 1000, the rate shall
dollar of valuation; unless q proposition to
increase such. specifying the rate proposed
and the time during which the same shall
be levied, shall have been submitted to the
people at a general election, and shall have
received a majority of all the votes cast
$4,000 -u.~, sk nj urrnh nvnOktAvn
Our demands will require the largest levy
permissible under the constitution, to-wit,
two and one-half mills.
The P~enitentssry.
The ,penitentiary, formerly belonging to
and under the control of the United States,
has now become the property of the state.
The same, with the lands connected there
with, were granted to the state by the act
providing for our admission to the union.
Under our territorial organization, the con-
troll and management of this institution
wal under the exclusive jurisdiction of the
United States, with whom the territory
contracted for the maintenance and sup
port of its prisoners. In providing for the
change from territorial to state government,
no provision was made to cover the period
between the date of admission and the
time when the legislature should provide
for the proper management OF the same.
Between that date, however, and
the 18th day of February, 1880, the
United States marshal remained III charge
under the contract between the territory
and the United States. On the latter date
I found the United States no longer willing
to continue in charge. With no apr ropria-
ton available to maintain the institution
and no law under which to act l was left to
my own resources in the matter. l accord
ingly contracted with Mr.. Frank Conley
and Thomas McTague, of Deer Lodge city,
Montana, for the care, custody m main
tenanoe of the institution and inmates