The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-11-26
APPEAL BY THE FARMERS.
Thew Petition the Governor to Call
an Extra Session Of the
Legislature.
Rclief Is Wanted From Unneces-
sary Exaotions of the Present
Tax Law.
rhs Appcnl Free From Partlsanship, the
Majority Of the Moving spirits
Bcing Republicans.

Residents Of GaIlatin county. withou
regard to politics. recently signed and sen
TO Gev. Richards Q petition calling on Oh
executive 10 convene the legislature II
extra session. The appeal asks tho Cover
NOR 20 call an extra session sim oly on m
ground Of relief from some of the unneees
sary sxaetions o: she present tax laws
The peopls Of Gallatin feel that ~ the leg
~islaturs was convened In extra session a
one time 10 relieve the railroads from tax
stion, and again to repeal the bounty law
on squirrels. that now she farmers and th'
poor men are justified in asking for tat
same.
The fact that the petition 10 not a polisi
cal, but q business one. IS proved by sns
fact that while a majority Of those most &C
tive in the movement are republicans. al
parties are represented. The committed
that got up the petition and ssut It nroune
for signatures consisted of George. ID
Thomas. ]. D. AcCammon. o. +. Chisholm
Caldwell Edwards. Henry Nonforson
Walter Cooper and J. J. Mendenhall. Th'
petition was as follows:
BOHEMIAN. Mont, Nov. II, 1893.
Hon. J. E. richards, Governor OF Mon
tana. Helena, Montana:
Dear Sir: We herewith present for you
consideration, and upon which We ask youl
Immediate favorable action. q petition
particularly resident farmers and othez
taxpayers Of the county of Gallatin. III
which yoa are asked to convene the legisla-
Su1s in extraordinary session bS vlrsus OF
the power invested in you by the constitu-
tion OF the state; 70, she purpose. as stated,
- -,4Nsf.ir, thn y,rpopnt NRY
laws 30 that unnecessary burdens ana ex-
actions may not be imposed upon us as q
people, in this time Of financial and indus
trial depression. Never before in orr his
tory have the people asked relisf Of any
kind, but have borne brRvely and hops
fully any and ell burdens OF misfortune
and governments.
In the consideration Of this matter, the
Importance of which m te overesti-
mated. We ask you to keep ia view tho fact
that taxes can be paid only with money.
and that, under the present conditions, it
Is impossible for q large majority Of the
people TO get money on any terms.
have been employed daring the pressn:
season, and. as a consequence. the mechau-
les of the various crafts and all incident
industry have bssR correspondin2ly idle
md languid. The farms generally have
produced good crops. which are forced
upon 9 market whore would be consumers
ere unable buy, sales of products being
confined largely TO payments of previous
obligations and exchanges for articles Of
necessity. While at this writing it ia osti.
mated that not over one-thlrd OF the crop
of this county il t%hreshsd, owing to the
unfnvorabls stormy weather.
The amount of tax due, including state.
county, city and special sehooi, Is in round
numbers not far from s125, 0CO,; of this
amount there has besn aid in at present
writing (Nov. I'D $12. 1928. 35. or less than 10
per cent. whore usually ~ this date so per
cent or mo Q of the taxes have been paid.
Or the $12. $685. IS already paid. nearly
$500 was paid BY one corporation who's
headquarters are not in this state. and So
per cent of the whole amount wan paid by
ten taxpayers out Of an aggregate number
of over 2, 500. Only fifteen days now re-
main in which to pay the balance. or about
$112.O 0O, OF which amount possibly 80 pc
cant may be paid; hnt in the Judgment Of
yoss petitioners not more than 40 per cent
posted TO be paid, and the bulk Of that
must necessarily come from companies and
individuals who are fortunate in being more
favorably situated han the great majority
of the population.
These deplorsbls conditions are i'm
menssly aggravated BY the memorable cha
scter OF the tax laws. in relation to delin-
quent taxes. heretofore not 20 conspicu-
ously noticeable when money, markets and
business were moro on . normal basis.
The lEosent scarcity Of currency is mace
more distressing by ths hosrdinas Of the
cuTbstone shyloek, who fattens only upon
misfortune, aad whose yearly aoonmu!a-
tlon from the harvest of tax titles IL fire.
quently far in excess of the rewards of the
toll and enterprise which has reclaimed our
proud state from savage Wilds, and made
US an important integral factor in our grea,
national commonwealth.
The enforcement of the existing tax lave,
under the present conditions. is practically
requiring the performance of impossibili-
ties; and your petitioners believe it 70 b.
wholly unnecessary contrary TO the spiril
Of our republican form of
end if no relief is granted. will be the FIRST
step in a series of proce' ses which will END
In BANKRUPTCY to many. distress to nearly
all, and coat the people of tho state, in
penalties. fines and EXCESSIVE interest OH
delinquent taxes many. many times ag
much as the expense of an extra session.
Nor will the damage rest with the indi
vidual or county alone; We are in a position
to know that creditors who are no ''s-
posed to be lenient will become alarmed
when the property of Their de- ors is ad-
ysEtised for taxes, and. as the Tsdit and
Prosperity of the state is sscure My in the
c edit and prosperity of the Individual
cit zen, We can only regard / vantoniy
suIcida! the unnecessary enfc cement Of
regulations only excusable in . time of
general p osperity. and. in time ...e tie
present. proving TO be the most com pI.te
machinery for the destruction of all hope
for the future.
Unless this relief is granted. Your peti-
s'oners see the credit OF the state impaired:
We SO the commonwealth advertised az n
bankrupt; we see the diferen 9 in the mex
ornbis and grinding exac,ions as the law as
applied to the individual citizen whom over
taken by mlSforsunes against which he il
EowerissG to protect himself, and :he tos-
terlng care with which great cor oratiors
are surrounded by a p~aternai government.
when, from any cause. they see y oper to
ask It's inter- oelti0u in their behalf.
We would say In conclusion that this step
has hee@ taken only after mature n reflection.
mat the sentiment Is approved by nearly
eve y person to whom the prorositiOn has
been prehenteI; and that now. when 60
many tlnd that the payment of taxes il al
utter mpossihiilty, they are allowing them
selves to hoDe that. in addition 80 proyid-
ing the neesssaries of life, they may not bs
burdened with the extreme extortions of
the tax title Shyiock.
Respectfully submitted,
CALDWELL EDWARDS aud oths q.
To this the governor sent the following
reply:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
HELENA, Nov. ~. 1888.
Hon. Caldwell Edwards, Bozemau. Mont,
Dear Sir:-Ihe receipt OF several oe,i-
Mons from your connittee, relative to All
extra session OF the legislature, is ackpowl.
edged. This documents will DO pIHced on
file with others OF a similar oharacter
Very res sctful!y,
j. +. RICHARDS, Governor.
While the farmeI CT Gnllstin cnuDky mrs