The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-05-30
WEDNESDAY, NAY 30, 1906.
Mr.. THORNBER WOULD ENFORCE A
LAW THAT pOES NOT EN1ST. AND
THUS PREVENT AN "UNDIGNIF1ED
SCRAMBLE" FOR OFFICE.

In your article on the question OF
"Interest on Public Funds" you start
out right, but you wind up wrong.
Montana has laws, and If there is any
fault or flaw in them they should be
remedied, but in the meantime they
should be enforced.
If this interest belongs to the peo-
pie, as you and myself and hundreds
of others believe, then it is the duty
of the county commissioners to bring
suit for its collection, and thereby re.
lieve any uncertainty regarding the
law. II this interest belongs to the
treasurer, then any candid ate who of.
fers it as a consideration to insure his
election is surely guilty Of bribery.
The people have no faith in any man
who is always ready to make any kind
of promises to get votes: they like
men who are progressive, and know
ing right, will do right without being
bound by promises that are never
kept. That plan will precipitate an
undignified scramble for the office and
if it has any effect, it will be to elect
the man who bids the highest.
II is high time that this question
should be settled. but the plan sug-
gesfed will never settle it: and leaving
it as it is, places every e~x-treasurer
under a cloud Of suspicion. Let us
begin right: let us test the law and if
1t is wrong or faulty. let us amend or
repeal it. D. Il. THORNBER.
AS several other Chouteau county
taxpayers may hold views similar to
those expressed by MIR. Thornber, it is
proper that they be given considera-
ton. In seeking a remedy for a pub
lie wrong, it is we'll to look at all
sides OF the question.
The main point in Mr.. Thornber's
law be enforced. To what law does be
refer? 1t is the general belief that
Montana has no law which applies to
the matter, but il Mr.. Thornber has
knowledge to the contrary he should
make it public.
The ninth legislative assembly IN
dertook to enact 9 law providing for
the payment of interest on public
funds: the bill passed the house but
was defeated in the senate. If there
was already q Montana law of tina,
nature in effect, why did the legisla'
ture attempt to enact another one?
There is no law that gives authority
to the county commissioners, OF
makes 1t their duty, to compel the
county treasurer to obtain interest or
public funds and to accOunt for suct
interest. Mr.. Thornber has just a,
much authority in the matter as tn.
commissioners have, and If he knows
of any violation of the law to which
he refers it is his duty to make com
plant to the prosecuting attorney.
For some reason or other, Mr.
Thornber appears to be opposed t
the plan by which it is intended t
eur to the taxpayers of Choutea,
county the interest earned by theil
own money. II it is not satisfactory
will Mr.. Thornber suggest Il bette
one: The candidates for county treas
urer will be asked to place on the pub
lie records a pledge that they will d.
right in this matter, and the Rive
Press is acquainted with a number .
taxpayers who will organize them
selves into a committee II necessary
and see that such pledge is redeemed
AS to Mr.. Thornber's remarks abou
an ''undignitied scramble for office
very little need be said. If the allege
loss OF dignity among the candidate
10 followed by u gain Of cash in tn
county treasury, the taxpayers wi
have no cause for complaint.