The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1894-04-18
IT'S A BIG BUSINESS
Figures Showing How Great Is
M0niana's Stock Iniuilry.
WOLVES ARE THE WORST
The Tenth Annual Session OF the
Stock Growers Association
Reports That Are Very
Interesting.
Special Dispatch to tho Standard.

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
MILES CRY, April 1.-THE Montana
Stock Growers association met in tenth
annual session to-day, President Scott in
the cnair. Secretary Preui,t called the
roll aud read the minutes of the last meet
ing and they were approved. Secretary
Preuitt then read his annual report. 1t
said: ii would say that believe for the
first time in the history Of the association
there is not one delinquent member on
the roll. That the importance of tho asso-
ciation is realized and its workings appre-
clated is evidenced by this rapid incr ease
IN the membership, and to-day we have
list an even 30 paid up members"
He then refers to tho fact that a new
brand book had been issued and after re-
ferring TO the transfer of about 5000
from the stray fund to the board OF stock
commissioners, he says: This has eu-
abied the board to prosecute its work
much more widely and tho results with
regard TO the conviction of thieves alone
is noticeable. Assistance has been rem
dered In all important cases against Of
tenders and we have met with gratifying
results. At the last term of court at Cho-
teau five we're tried and four OF them con-
'ic,ed and sent to the peni,entiary. This
eilectual work has broken up hard outfit
that has been operating on the Marias. At
Butte one was sent to the pententiary for
a number OF years and the case against
another is still pending. Some good work
has also been done at Billings and rs a re-
suit Deer Lodge is the residence OF some
of Yellowstone county citizens. There
were also two convicted in Fergus county.
The past year has been au unusually
successful one against stock thieves and
tue stockmen are receiving some of the
protection due them"
Mr.. Preuitt's report closes with finan-
cial statement for the year which shows
that on April l, 1893, the stray fund was
SiS, ,l0s.3O on hand. The receipts for 1879
were Slia,5li.05; the total now is Sl67,
I22.35. RENTED 10 the owners of strays,
Sli6.i74.30; transferred to the board of
stock commissioners, Sc, ,ssi. %; total. sl53.-
lg2.50; leaving balance on hand April /,
1891, OF sl5.00i.79.
The wolf question then came up for dis.
cussion by the following report mado by
Hon. c. II. Loud of the special committee
appointed last year: 1--WE have investi-
gated the subject and have concluded
that the loss to the range in
dastry by stock DESTROYING animals is
greater each year than the loss sustained
by hard winters. We are convinced that
in view of the fact that the revenues of
the state derived from taxation at the
present assessed valuation Is inadequate
to meet the current running expenses of
the state and that in the light of the fact
that the revenues will be further de-
creased during the present year by reason
OF the fact that in many counties of tue
state the assessed valuation will be less
this year than that of last, IL would be fu-
tile to look TO the state for relief in this
respect. And in this connection your
committee would respectfully recommend
that in their Judgment, in the light of all
the circumstances, the most feasible way
OF dealing with this matter is by dividing
the range country into districts, and in
each district that an organization
shall be effected TO manage and control
, this matter in such district, and the OK
penses Of such organization TO be paid by
an assessment levied upon the range
property in such district. The amount of
bounty to lie paid upon such animals to
be determined b. the district paying the
same" Mr.. Huntlcy moved for the ap-
pointment of n committee on resolutions.
and, tho motion prevailing, the president
appointed Messrs. Kohrs, Huniley and
Tusler as such committee. Col. 4. j.
Bryan was appointed chairman and ]. Z.
Brown secretary of the round up commit.
tee. The remainder Of the day was con.
sumed in speech making by the visiting
railroadcrs and commission men and was
concluded By Hon. r. II. Carter of Helena.