The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-03-06
AFFECTING ESTRAY MONEY.

In view of the unsatisfactory methods
of handling and accounting for the
proceeds of sales of estray cattle in
eastern beef markets, the livestock
committees of the tenth assembly have
prepared and introduced several bills
that should become laws before the
end of the session. One of these meas.
ures known as House Bill No. 1863, as
printed by q Helena newspaper. con-
tains these provisions:
Section l. That all unclaimed money
which is 10Y in the hands of the state
board of stock commissioners or the
state stock association, Dr. in the pos.
session of any other person or per-
sons, or the secretary or treasurer of
either said board or association, re-
ceived from the sale of estray cattle
or horses shall be fully accounted for
and paid over to the state treasurer OF
the state of Montana, and placed to
the credit of the stock inspection and
detective fund within thirty days after
the passage and approval of this act.
The state examiner is hereby direct.
ed to investigate the books OF account
of either said board, association, or
its officers, respecting such estray
fund, for the purpose OF determining
whether said moneys have in the past
been properly accounted for and used,
and after such examination he shall
make full and complete report with
reference thereto to the governor.
Section 2. All money hereafter de-
rived from the sale of estrays shall be
fully accounted for by the secretary of
the state board of stock commission.
ers, and paid and turned into the state
treasury of the state of Montana, as
herein provided.
Section 3. The proceeds of all es.
tray cattle or horses cold, either with
in or without the state, shall be trans
mi;ted to the secretary of the state
board of stock commissioners, VINO
shall keep q record of the brands and
other marks OF Identification Of the
animal, together with q statement OF
the net proceeds derived from the sale
and such proceeds shall be paid and
turned over to said secretary to the
owner of the recorded brand on the
animal, without delay. Where the
brand is not recorded or is blotched
or dim the proceeds derived from the
sale shall likewise be paid to the own
er in the event that he shall first pre-
sent to the state board of stock CON-
missioners satisfactory evidence Of
his ownership of the animal or ami
mails sold.
A full description Of the estrays for
which the proceeds derived from their
sale remains In the hands of the sec.
setary of the state board of stock com.
missiOners uncl aimed, shall be pub.
lished annually at least once q week
for four consecutive weeks in two
newspapers, one of which shall be
published in the city OF Helena and
the other in the city of Billings, Mon.
tana, and when such publication
shall have been made, and the pro-
ceeds from the sale of such animals
shall have remained in the hands OF
the said secretary of the state board
of stock commissioners for a period
of two years, It shall be paid over to
the state treasurer Of the state OF
Montana, and be by him placed to the
credit of the stock inspector and de.
tective fund.
All interest on such moneys and up.
on moneys collected as fees for re.
cording marks and brands shall be
by the secretary of the state board OF
stock commissioners duly accounted
for and paid over to the state treas
urer of the state of Montana, as here
In provided to be done with the priu'
cipal funds in his hands.