The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1906-07-11

1 believe that q republican campaign
should be made the occasion OF patrl'
otto rejoicing, for the whole OF Its
urs of half a century has beer a
death struggle with difficult problems,
and it has been always crowned with
victory.
I believe that when differences OF
opinion arise between individuals or
factions of the party, that they should
be charitably and fairly discussed
with a view to harmony and the mu-
tual good of all.
| believe that no good republican
will cut down Or destroy a co-worker
because of a difference of opinion,
both of which may be sincere.
l will go further, I believe that no
good republican will be uncharitable
or unjust with his democratic neigh
Dor, for in case of imminent danger
or national peril do not democrats
come to the rescue as freely as W. do
ourselves and shed their blood with
ours:
What is good for us is also good
for them, and our discussion should
be free from bitterness.
l am going to discuss a subject that
has been agitating the public mind for
the last six years. rather privately I
admit, but l have reasons to think
that the discussion has been general.
l am going to discuss it on the
above lines and although others have
introduced bitterness in their judg-
ment of myself | shall endeavor to be
lenient to all.
Our Public Funds; Their Care and Use.
The safety Of the public moneys
should be the first consideration and
it seems to be we'll provided for in our
present law. and as every prudent
business man deposits his money with
the banks, | think that the banks are
the proper repositories for the funds
Of the county or state.
Can or shall They he U>ed for Profit:
As the banks all over the country
encourage time deposits bearing in
tere>t. it goes without saying that
they would be willing to pay interest
on the public funds: if it We're not
against our laws to do so.
ldleness begets vice. and | believe
that it is + when applied to money.
as when applied 20 men and boys.
Keep 1925, 0O0 to 500, 900 in the coun-
ty vaults and how soon would it be re-
lieved by robbers:
Keeping it idle is a temptation to
the officer in charge to use it for
speculative purposes, and even if it is
not so used he is accused of using it,
and the record of ruin that has been
brought upon bank officers and state
and county treasurers by having large
sums of public money in their possess
sion is enough to demand a safe and
just system of using the public funds
for profit, and accounting for such
profit as accurately as the principal
itself.
The moral effects of such a plan
will outweigh a thousand times the
benefits from the interest received: bu,
that will be no small matter: vet If i,
were, it should be looked to for econ
omy in public affairs is just as much
a virtue as in private affairs.
Some say that ''this is more fus:
than feathers Let us see.
Chouteau county had on June lst +;
balance of 1928, 900. 10. This is prob
ably about an average for this year
and at ! per cent. would earn 81,
l5S. -.
Is 81. l5S not worth the saving: Lee
me ask the average voter If he coult
not fix himself a pretty comfortable
home with one years interest: Ne
this will increase for We are even a
this time only pioneers with Il brigh
future before us and We will deman'
all the public utilities that any peopl
enjoy and we will appropriate tn
money to get them.
Again: We have Il sinking fund {
SAB, 1870 Oh to anticipate the payment c
our bonded Indebtedness and it it run
Is years and the interest added ann
ally to the principal, at the expiratio
of that time the profit would amount t
$50, O42. Is this sum worth saving:
believe that every voter who read
this will agree with me that this is q
important question and that it is Il
item of value to every taxpayer, b
the moral advantage far outweighs II
%pecuniary advantages.
l am sick and tired of the tenden'
of the times to talk of the wrong-d
ings of IL public officers, and | a
not the only ne. The change adv
cate will make it impossible for couu
or state treasurers to use the publ
funds for private profit or polite
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