The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-01-07
legislation for ita completion and mainte-

Other buildings.
10 OF the constitution, for tho establish
ment and support by the state Of educa-
tional, reforms.ory and email institutions,
and those for this benefit Of the insane,
blind, deaf and dumb, soIdiers' home and
such other institutions as the public good
may require.
While the establishment Of these institu-
tions Is made mandatory by the constitu-
ton, no time is fixed when Legislative action
shall be taken. In view Of the Limitation
e1penditare, / hope no effort will
be made at this session TO pro-
vide for the construction OF such
buildings. It would be wise, however, il
the location Of these institutions should be
the subject Of early confederation and get-
Element. The longer that Is delayed the
greater will be the struggle between aspir-
ing sections OF the state for recognition In
that behalf, and pending such contention,
the interests Of good legislation may be
su~bOrdinated IL not wholly ignored. In this
connection 1t Is proper to call your ntten-
ton to the fact that legislation will be re-
4uired to give force and effect TO section z
Of article 10 of the constitution, providing
for the permanent location of the seat OF
government; the manner of submission, the
manner OF canvassing the votes and the de-
tails generally should be provided for.
state Militia.
Section 8. Article IA Of the constitution
makes it incumbent upon the state to
maintain the militia by appropriations
from the state treasury. In view Of this
provision it becomes a question Of great
concern how to maintain this organization
so ~ to preserve it's efficiency in case OF
danger and at the same time reduce the ex-
pense to the minimum. ALL extraordinary
and Unnecessary expenses should be discon-
tinued and eliminated from the law. It ID
obvious that with the many demands made
upon the state treasury. consequent upon a
change of government, the practice OF the
most rigid economy in every department IL
imperative. In appropriating money
f%T I'M; ;nasitutio IS ., wei The saste. a xe
must keep constantly in view that provision
Of the constitution prohibiting the passage
of any appropriation or the issuance of any
warrant beyond the amount raised by taxa
ton. In other words our constitution was
framed upon the principle of administering
our affairs upon a cash basis, except when
the proposition to raise a tax is submitted
Our revenue will be insufficient to
maintain a militia upon the scale
provided in the present military code. II
is claimed by many that one-hslf of the
number of companies properly disciplined
and we'll provided for would be more ser
viceable and creditable to the state than
the entire militia as now organized. 1t IL
also claimed that the annual encampmentf
now provided for might we'll be abandoned
without detriment to the service and a sys-
tenn of inspection instituted in lieu thereof.
These items alone would result in a sav-
ing of about 10000 per annum.
Upon these questions there is a difference
of opinion among the staff. regimental
and other officers of the National guard,
but all who have expressed an opinion agree
that expenses should be reduced. l &C
cordingly recommend an organization upon
a less expensive plan until the OF
the state will justify a more comprehensive
authority to issue arms to settlers in remote
places in case of threatened danger. II
cannot be lone now without making lin
self personally responsible for loss of prop
erty.
State Officers.
Such of the state officers as are required
to reside at the seat of government art
auartered at the court house, where reson-
ably good accommodations are provided fol
most of them. No provision of law exists
BY which any officer is permitted to contrac,
for the renting or leasing Of Offices. Tht
county commissioners of Lewis and Clarke
county, relying upon the state to ratify the
action of the occupants, have furnished anc
delivered the possession of offices to the fol
lowing persons: Governor, secretary OF
state, auditor. treasurer, attorney general
superintendent of public instruction anC
judges of the supreme court. So far as
- IT, ~-<
we'll adapted to such uses n reasonably
satisfactory. We have paid no rent to the
county, although we have occupied the
rooms for more than a year. lrecommenc
that authority be given some officer of the
state to enter into a proper contract fol
quarters n that provision be made to pay
the same.
Your attention is also called to the fac,
that there is no law in existence by which
the vote for state officers to be elected in
1892 can be canvassed or the result of thu
election declared.
The state constitution provided the meth
cd of giving Office to the first election only
The necessity of legislation upon this ques
| ton is urgent. The term of Office OF thu
present incumbents expires on the first day
| of January, 1893, and does not continue, al
| is usual, until their SUCCESSORS are elected
n qualified.
Reports of state Officers.
Sec. 10 of article 7 of the constitution re-
| duires all state officers to make a full AM
complete report of their official transac
lions to the governor at least twenty day
preceding each regular session of the legls-
~lature, which report is thereaftertob be trans
mitted to the legislature by the governor
In order to make this report available ant
| of practical value SO far as the financla
| condition of the state is concerned, 1t vii
be necessary to change the present law anc
| make all taxes delinquent after the Jul
| day of November instead of December 3lst
/ and | recommend the change, and fur
/ Their recommend as a matter of convenience
| and economy that all reports of state OH,
GERS required to be printed, be printed
under the great seal of the state:
We are still using the old seal of the ter
ritory, A state seal should be adopted
Also seals for the supreme court, etc.
State Board Of Equalization.
The creation Of .this board is a radica!
departure from former methods in this state.
Sections Is, 16 and 10 of article II of the
constitution are as follows:
Sec. Is. The governor. secretary of state,
state treasurer, state auditor and attorney
general shall constitute Il state board of
equalization and the board of county COM
m%issioners of each county shall constitute
a county board of equalization. The duty
of the state board of equalization shall be
to adjust and equalize the valuation OF the
taxable property anon the several counties
of the state. The duty of the county boards
of equalization shall be to adjust and equal
;za thu valuation of the taxable urODerty