Fergus County Democrat., 1904-10-25

In order that the people Of Fergus
County may fully understand what
has been accomplished 10y members of
the Legislature of the Eighth Legis-
lative Assembly. Of which Hon. David
I1ilger was Il member. we submit the
following. showing a record of what
Mr.. lIilger accomplished while a mem
Der of said body.
House Bill No II. ~ bill for an
Act entitled .tn Act providing for the
submission to the qualified electors of
the State or Montana. an amendment
to Sections and 20 of Article V of
the Constitution OF the State Of Mon
tana, relating to direct legislation.
This bill was introduced by Mr..
Hilger and subsequently passed by
the House. 1t failed, however. to re-
ceive the necessary two thirds major
ity in the Senate. This bill embodied
the essential features of the Oregon
Initiative and Referendum law. 1t
was petitioned for by a general petit
tion, circulated in Fergus County and
received almost all the signatures of
residents Of Gilt Edge and other Min
ing Districts in the County.
Mr.. Higer introduced House Reso-
luton No. |. the title of which was
as follows tO-Wit:
''Resolved by the Senate and House
of Representatives of the State of
Montana. that under the authority of
Article Of the Constitution of the
United States application is hereby
made to congress to forthwith call a
constitutional convention for the pur-
pose OF submitting to the State for
ratification. an amendment to the
federal constitution providing for the
election Of United States Senators by
direct vote of the people,
This Joint Resolution passed the
House, was concurred in by the Sen
ate and pproved by the Governor.
In order to relieve the Wool Grow
ers from any excessive taxation, Mr..
Hilger introduced House Bill No 80,
being a bill for an Act entitled
''An Act to amend sections 6and ! of
an act to provide for appointment of a
Board Of Sheep Commissioners. and to
define their powers and duties
This reduced the taxes on all sheep
from one-half to one-tOurth mill. which
Mr.. Hilger considered to be sufficient,
for the reason that u fund of some
thing like $4,000 had accumulated in
the State TreaSurer's hands. This
bill passed the House. was concurred
in by the Senate and approved by the
Governor.
In response to petitions and letters
from Stockmen and Woolgrowers over
the eastern part Of Fergus county,
who desire protection from bands of
sheep coming in from Wyoming. which
were ranging in the eastern part of
Fergus county during the summer
months, thereby destroying the Win
ter ranges of many of our largest tax
payers and permanent settlers. Mr..
Hilger introduced House Bill No. l57,
entitled \ bill for
"An Act to protect the owners and
claimants under any Of the land laws
of the United States and lessees of
state lands from trespass by depreda-
tion or injury from live stock held in
herd"
This bill passed the House. was con-
CURED in by the Senate, and approved
by the Governor.
In response to requests from Nolun-
teer and Paid Fire Departments from
Lewistown, Helena, Butte, Billings,
Mr.. Hilger introduced House Bill No.
l6S, entitled
"a bin for An Act requiring fire
insurance companies, corporations and
associations doing business in the
State of Montana to pay tax upon
the excess premium received ovel
losses sustained, and providing for the
payment of moneys received from said
tax for the use of the fire depart,
mentS.'
This bill passed the House. con-
Cured in by the Senate and approved
ey the Governor.
In response to requests made by
prominent citizens and the State Ex
ecutive Department, Mr.. Hilger in
troduced House Bill No. 1877,
"A bill for an act entitled AN Act
to provide for the appointment ane
qualification of a Deputy Secretary 0
State, Deputy State Treasurer Dep
uty State Auditor and Deputy Stat
Superintendent of Public Instruc
tiOn.
This bill passed the House, was con
Cured in by the Senate and approved
by the Governor.
Mr.. Hilger acted in the capacity 0
leader of the Democratic forces in tn
House, and through energetic actiol
succeeded in having merit0rious legi
lation passed through the House, an
defeated many obnoxious measures.
In recognition of his qualification