The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-01
Money Matters All
0. K. In Deer Lodge


Deer Lodge county was in fair fnan-
clsl condition when the panic of 1898
came on. There was enough money In
the treasury to take up one-third OF
the total indebtedness of h county,
which then consisted of a bonded debt
of $3.50. 900. This loan was contracted
to wipe out the floating debt OF war
rants outstanding and a FORMER and
smaller issue OF bonds which paid for
the old court house at Deer Lodge. The
commissioners considered II advisable
TO retain the cash on hand rather than
to pay any portion of the bonded debt.
as by so doing the tax levy of the panic
year could be made a very hight bur-
den on the taxpayers. In fixing the
levy of 1898. however. their benevolent
ideas We're carried too far. but l mill
being levied for the general fund of
the county. That meant that some
hin less than 5000 was collected in
1898 for the main fund OF the county
the fund out Of which are paid all court
expenses. the expenses OF the sherif's
office. the bills for printing. the expense
of elections. etc. In that year n the
following a great deal OF road building
vas uOut. ~ IhOydi lOdd was toh
structed, royal enough In the expendi-
ture OF money 1t proved. and anything
but royal in the benefits accruing to
the county.
There was an Indebtedness of about
$780, 900 in warrants and interest against
the o und when the new code went
into effect su~b-dividing the county into
road districts n starting of each dis
trict with a clear account This left
no alternative to the commissioners but
to draw on the general fun of the
county to pay OF the old o fund
debt, and threw the general fund fur
Their behind than ever. The removal of
the county seat occasioned other extra
ordinary expenses. and was ollowed by
the bond election and the purchase or
lots for the site of the new court house.
Yet despite these adverse circumstances
there Is a steady gain on the floating
debt of the county. Warrants have
been called in to July 1, 1895. with a
possibility of early in January taking
up all warrants issued prior TO Dec. !.
1895. This would represent a gain OF
six months on registered warrants over
last year.
The increasing valuation Of the coun-
ty and the decreasing proportionate
expense OF the court since the county
seat removal. with the cutting on of
rental for Offices when the new court
house Is completed. the probability that
but little road building remains to be
done. and that no extraordinary ex-
penses will be incurred. all these give
ground for the belief that in another
year the county will be in position 10
pay all warrants as they are issued.
and that in two years from now wen
with a reduced tax levy from that Of
1895. a sinking fund for ,ne redemption
Of the bonded debt may be started.
When you examine into it. though.
you will find that, considering the eN-
penses which must bs met by the cOun-
~. its levy is not at all high. Look at
your tax receipt and see how the mon
ey paid into the county treasury is di-
vided between the state. the county.
the city and the schools. For county
rpose the levy was in 1895. 9h mills,
less by a half mill han the city Of An
aconda's levy. and exactly the same as
the people of Anaconda paid for the
maintenance of their schools. The era
Of building school houses. Of improve
ment of streets i'm the city and building
OF roads in the county seems to be al
most over for this community. and
hereafter the cost of city. school dis
trict and county will be reduced to the
running expenses. and all extraordinary
mi be a thing Of the past.
ID. F. HALLAHAN,
Treasurer Deer Lodge County.
Anaconda, Dec. 81, 1898.