Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1895-07-18
OUR NEW LAWS.
Some Of Its Startling observation-disclosures
in Criminal Actions in Justices Courts
Allowed No Fees or Mileage.

For several days last week a rumor
was current that the codes altered
the boundary lines OF Fergus county
in such manner as to place Commits
sioner Bower in Cascade county and
to throw that portion OF Choteau
which We purchased in 1889 within
the boundaries OF Choteau. This
however, is found to be a mistake
and Commissioner Bower is still
within our fold and Col. Norris of
Judith city must still pay tribute to
Fergus county. Although the bound
aries OF Fergus county as set forth
in the codes segregate that portion OF
Fergus county lying north and west
of Surprise creek, a clause in the
paragraph bounding Cascade county
especially says that part of Meagher
county lying east of range 10 east
and north of the north boundary OF
township Is north shall be added
to and made part OF Fergus
county" This tract includes Mr..
Bowers home.
A clause is also found which pro.
vIdes that "the several counties as
they existed at the time OF the admis-
sion of the state into the Union are
the counties of the state until other
wise established or changed by law" +"
As the purchase from Choteau county
was made prior to the admission OF
the state and no law has since altered
those boundaries the tract on the
north remains in Fergus county.
Heretofore persons over the age
of forty-five years were exempted
from a special road tax but not SO
under the code. Section 264O of the
Political code says: "rhere must be
levied and collected on all taxable
property in the county not less than
one nor more than ten mills on the
dollar for road purposes, also q
special road tax of three dollars on
each able bodied man over the age o.
twenty-one years residing in each
road district.
Witnesses in criminal actions in jus
tices' courts must serve for the good
OF their country. Under the following
clauses justice may summon 6
witness from anywhere within thu
county and may fine him for con
tempt if he does not attend although
the witness can receive no pay there
fore.
Sec. 1852 p. C.-Witnesses in court
not of record in civil actions and pro
ceedings shall receive $50 per da,
but no mileage.
Sec. 1853 P. C.-Witnesses in court
not OF record in criminal actions AM
on coroners' inquests must not re
ceive any pay or compensation TO
their services.
Sec. 4654 p. C.-The fees and CON
pensation OF a witness in all civ
actions must be paid by the part
who caused him to be subpened.
Under chapter XIII Sec. 4O4s c
the Political code thecounty treasure
is compelled to collect a fee OF $40
for each county license issued, i
addition to the amount named in th
license. The section referred to read
as follows. "For each license issue
the county treasurer must collect
fee of S1.OO, which must be pal
into the general fund OF the county.
Attorney general Haskell has give
an opinion on the legality of playin
cards for drinks and cigars and shall
ing of dice for the same. He's says:
is evident that Sec. 600 of the pena
code does not prohibit persons froI
playing cards for drinks and cigars @
shaking dice for the same, as wa
heretofore practised in saloons, bu
il money is wagered on the result sue
action would be illegal. He say
1.-THE legislature has not, in on
Judgment, under the law, either in II
spirit, intention or letter, attempte
to restrict persons from the innocer
amusement of playing cards for cigal
or the shaking OF dice for the SAM