The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-05-16
WEDNESDAY, MAY Ii. 1906.
TT THE TAXPAYER rs NOT ENTITLED
TO PROFITS ON HIS OWN MONEY,
WHO Is?

The matter Of interest or profit on
public funds has become a live politi.
cal question among the voters OF
Chouteau county. It is being dis.
GUESSED by taxpayers in all parts OF
the county. 1t is a business PROPOSE
ton which appeals to every citizen
who believes in the principle of 'the
square deal"
In the discussion of this subject by
the taxpayers there is'no political bias
to obscure the issue, and republicans
and democrats can unite in an effort
to apply business methods to the nan
agement of the public business. They
are partners or stockholders in the
official organizations that manage the
governmental affairs OF the state,
counties and municipalities. Each
citizen has a personal interest in every
reform that promises to give us better
government.
The effect of the prevailing custom
relating to public funds may be IL
Illustrated by reference 70 recently pub
lished announcements in a western
Montana county. The monthly report
Of its county treasurer showed that he
had in his care on May l the large
balance OF over s265 900. The report
of the city treasurer Of the county
seat showed a balance of over $500 Q
in the municipalItreasury on the same
date. Here is a total of over $500, 900
of the peoples money in the hands OF
public officials of that one county;
and a large portion of that amount
was collected from the taxpayers last
November. Some OF this money will
remain in the public treasury until
next December, !. and possibly long
after that date.
Most of these funds remain 10 the
banks for several months. and are
used in the business trans actions Of
the Sc financial institutions. The latter
make a profit from the deposits of
pablo funds, and il they get use of
such large sums OF money without cost
they enjoy q privilege at the expense
Of the owners of these public funds
If the banks pay for the use lot the
taxpayers money, there is nothing in
the public records to show that fact
no accounting for such payment ap-
pears in the financial statements of the
county.
The conditions in this western Mon
tana county obtain in all parts of the
Montana was organized forty years
sgo-public officials have been re.
Quired to give bonds for the safe GUS
tody Of the Taxpayers money, but the
profits earned by that money have
never been open to public inspection.
It is a custom sanctioned by long
usage, but it:is manifestly wrong.
The people of Chouteau county have
the power TO initiate a reform in this
matter, and propose to exercise it,
Under the provisions of the direc,
primary law, candid ates for the posi-
tiou Of custodian of the taxpayers
money will be brought into persona
contact with the owners of public
funds, and car remove any doubt OF
suspicion that may exist as to The
business methods they propose to fol-
low il elected to office.
That arrangement should be salts
factory to the candidates as we'll a,
TO the taxpayers. The candidate i.
guaranteed a stipulated salary for tn,
services pertaining to the office he de
sire-: his employer has the right t.
know the kind of service that will b.
rendered.
II the taxpayer Is not entitled Il
profits on his own money, who Is?