The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-08-12
KICKING ON THE WORK
Hslh Says The Pslltsntiiry Is Hot b.
Ing Constructed PsP Contract.
MONTANA AND IRRIGATION
Little interest Seems TO Be Taken
The State Enoampmsnt OF
Militia at Fort Ellis win
Be No Picnic.


Special Dispatch to tho Standard
HELENA, Aue. ll.-F. j. Schafer of
Helena, the contractor for tho Billings
penitentiary, was before tho board Of
prison commissioners to-day with his sec.
ond estimate for work done. Il amounted
to $6,67a Attorney General Haskell
wanted the contractor to furnish state
ment showing how much lumber, cement
and other material was being used In the
construction. This the contractor re-
fused to do. Governor Richards and
Secretary Rotwitt. the other two
members OF the board, over
ruled the attorney general and the
bill was ortieced paid. The attorney gen-
erai sndorsed his objections on the bill
and saya he will do the Same thing with
every one Of them unless the contractor
furnishes statements. The attorney gen.
erAl also complains that the specifications
aro not being followed - they should In
the construction Of the penitentiary. He
says that brick are being used In the
basement walls where stone 70 called for
and that In places no cement 10 to be
found.
Joseph Scott Of Miles City, representing
the stockmen Of Custer county, called on
the state board Of equalization yesterday
and asked for reduction from, el7 to el5
per bead on cattle In his county. The 10
quest was denied. To-day hs appeared
before the board for the stockmen Of the
state and asked for similar reduction on
all cattle. This was also refused, the
board leaving the average assessment
value At si7 per head.
Governor Richards has received letter
from William Smythe OF the irrigating
CONGRESS, which meets ut Denver on Sept.
T. The last congress named official irri.
cation commissions in II states and terri.
tories. .. B. Robbins of Great Falls 10
the Chairman OF the Montana commits
s'oA, the other members being Paris Glib.
son, A. c. Botkin. W. A. Clark and W. H.
Sutherlin. Mr.. Smythe 10 chairman. Mr..
Robbins writes him he finds II difficult
to get up any interest In Montana. This,
MIR. Smythe says, is . lamentable
commentary on the public spirit
OF Montana. He says; "If there
10 any subject which should
appeal to them, II 10 irrigation. That II
there was Q moment when they could
AFFORD to give 1t their careful attention. Il
u now. Montana ought to send at least 80
OF her strongest mon to attend the con.
vention ut Denver. In all probability We
shall succeed In mapping out tho outlines
which will be accepted by the western
people and which will underly tho In
dustrial and social life for all time. ! ap.
peal to you to arouse all possible interest
In the people and feel sure We shall not
be disappointed in the result"
Tho Interstate Fair association sends
IN oficial invitation to the governor and
the people Of Montana to bs present at
the formal opening Of the Northwest Inter.
state fair at Tacoma on Aug. Is.
Inspsctoe- General Curtis mustered out
battery A Of the state militia tonight.
He says they are all good soldiers and ad.
vised them to join the two companies now
remaining In Helena.
Everything 10 In readihsss at Fort Ellis
for the encampment, which the general
says will be no picnic, but hard work. Every
thing will be conducted in . systematic
and soldierly manner. The funds avail
able for the militia amounted to $l2,b0O
but about one-hslf Of this has boen OK.
pended ON account Of duties performed
during the Coxey excitement togethel
with current expenses.
The total railroad assessment value fol
the state 20 compiled by the state equali.
satlon board, 10 tl0,082.4
Governor Richards loft for Butte TO-
NIGHT.