The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-09-12
THE TREASURE A

winter collect taxes upon a valuation
OF more than 1924 600, 600, including
railroad property to the amount OF
nearly al, zoo, 600. Thus, it will be
seen that the value OF real and per.
sonal property in the state amounts
to sle3, OO0,O 600 in round numbers.
These are the final reports Of the coun-
~ boards of equalization to the state
body.
What better evidence could be
sought as to the material prosperity
OF Montana, with its estimated popu.
lation of 275,O 600 or even 300 200:
Based upon the latter figure, every
man. woman and child in the state
owns. on an average, taxable prop
erty Of the value of S6lO. While not
casting reflections upon less fortunate
commonwealth, The Record regards
it as extremely doubtful If any other
state in the Union can present so re-
markable a showing. which becomes
all the more pointed when it is con.
sidered that 10 no instance perhaps is
Montana property assessed at its full
cash value, as is the case in many
other states, particularly in the east.
This average makes no account
whatever of the railroad assessment
of approximately Gal, OOO, 600, which of
course, would materially swell the
amount. Truly, Montana is making
great strides in the development of
her resources and the upbilding OF her
cities and rural districts, and it Is no
idle prognostic alton to predict an
even greater average when next years
returns shall have been gathered.
Forum ate, indeed, is the Treasure
State, a title which does not belle its
name. The receipts in the Office OF the
secretary Of state for the quarter just
closed were the greatest on record, be.
ing virtually three times those of the
corresponding quarter of last year.
The bulk Of these receipts come from
fees charged for the filing of incor-
poration papers.
Thus, it is to be seen that more com.
panies are being organized than ever
before, whose purpose it is to enter
the Montana business circle. The
field must be inviting to approve SO
attractive. Nor are all OF these confined
to the mining industry, although it is
not to be denied that more eastern
capital seeking investment is being
sent to Montana than at any preceding
time for this particular branch OF
MOntana's vast u In fact,
there is a greater variety of new in.
corporations than is ordinarily the
case.
Montana's mining fields are proving
attractive to eastern investors; like.
wise her valleys and plains are prov.
ing a magnet for the residents OF the
middle west. and with the result that
money is being poured into the state
for the development Of our every re-
source. The possibilities OF Mon
tana's agricultural and s~tockraising
capabilities, often overlooked, are
fast forging into the l%imelight, and
the only wonder is that they have re.
NAMED in obscurity for SO great q
period.
Next month in Helena will be held
the fourth Montana state fair. Great
surprises are in store for its visitors, |
especially along agricultural and
horticultural lines. There will be
fruits as luscious and a. tempting Jas
though from the garden Of Eden.
Montana's soils are capable of raising
practically everything, and with fur.
Their development of the state along
these lines, and with the healthy |
growth of the mining industry and the
livestock business, the boast is not an
idle one, that, short as the time may
be, next years returns to the state
board OF equalization will show a
material increase in the per capita
wealth Of M%ontana's citizens in real
and personal property, as we'll as
cash In her rock-ribbed banks.-Hel-
,,u I.~