The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-22
TO MONTANA MAYORS.
Geo. l.. Ramsey of Boz IN Has Some
thing to say.


Geo. L. Ramsey of Boz'mln Has Some
thing to say.
BUTTE, Feb. 21.-Mayor Dugan will go
over to helena tomorrow to meet with
mayors and officials of other cities of the
state in regard to municipal legislation,
which said officials shall consider desir-
able by the legislature at this session.
The meeting was fixed for to-day but II
has been concluded to fix it for Monday.
The following letter on the subject was re-
ceived to-day by the mayor and aldermen
of this city from George L. Ramsey, mayor
of Bozeman:
FEBRUARY. %. 1895.
Dear SIR: II has probably came under your
observation, that there are many discrepancies
and defects IN the code. 1t applies TO mun.c.-
pal government. IL would seem. however. Inn
defects that appear. but there are two or three
very important points that | think ought TO pc
looked after, without fail, before the adjourn
ment OF the legislature.
The provisions now in force. to the effect that
the county treasurer shall collect the city taxes.
Is good one and has the merit OF being simple
and inexpensive; the code causes return TO the
old method of separate collection by the re-
spectiye tTeasurers, which is crude and cumber
some. An amendment should be made which
will cover that point
Under the provision OF the code city can is
sue no evidence OF indebtedness. OF any kind or
character, unless the treasurer has actual funds
to meet It. Many cities that are now behind in
current expenditures, but whose creditors
(city officers and the like can receive the pay
due them, subject 10 slight discount by the
bank, would have to cease business entirely.
section 1882, subject 10. provides that the treas
urer shall pay out IN the order in which they
are drawn, all warrants presented for pay
ment. The word registered" should be sub
stituted for drawn" You can easily imagine
the confusion that would arise, II the treasurer
was obliged To pay warrants in the order In
winch they were drawn. And at the same time
provision ought to be inserted for the regis
traiion OF warrants, as at present.
Under section 1865, an alderman can hold no
otner Office, nol even that OF a school trustee.
the word "salarled' should be inserted before
the word office, making the provision read that
he could mold no Salaried office while an alder
man. or for one year after the termination of
his Office.
The amendments suggested are all very sim
pie In their nature, II attended TO at once. but
VIII cause serious trouble II not looked after. IL
would seem matter of sufficient Importance
for special meeting. May ask you TO
kindly interest yourself in the subject and see
II something cannot he done to remedy the in
conslstences mentioned. VIII you not write
your representatives and the committee on
cities concerning them?
n. on reflection. you conclude that 1t would be
worth while To act in unison and that YOU would
consider it wise TO be represented in Helena,
with other cities, ana that your representatives
could, for instance. be in Helena on Thursday of
this week. and you Will wire me TO that effect
together with the number that will attend, |
will, In the event of a majority of the cities re-
spending in the Affirmative communicate with
the mayor to that effect and it is possible that
by an organized effort we can accomplish such |
OF the amendments as seem absolutely neces- !
sary
Hoping to have the favor Of your advice in
the matter, am, with sentiments of the most |
distinguished consideration yours respectfully, |
GEORGE l.. RAMSEY, Mayor.