The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-05-01
WEDNESDAY, NAY l. 1907.
INTEREST oN.PUBL,C FUNDS.

view the payment OF interest on pub.
lie funds to the owners of such funds.
is meeting with a satisfactory degree
OF zee The headquarters OF the
movement has been in northern Mon.
tana, and the people Of this part OF
the state have reason to congratulate
themselves upon theIprogress that has
been made.
One of the commendable features OF
the record OF the tenth assembly was
its endeavor to deal with this ques-
ton. Some of thelmembers, it is true,
we're opposed to legislation upon the
subject, Notwithstanding the obliga'
tions imposed by their party platform,
but the majority recognized their duty
il the premises and made an honest
effort to enact laws that we're just and
OF benefit to their constituents. The
legislation that was enacted may not
be perfect nor SO good as desired by
those who demanded legislative &C
ton upon this;subject, but it will I'm.
doubleday effect 9 great improvement
upon former conditions.
The tenthlassembly passed a meas
ure relating to profits on state funds
which is now in effect. 1t requires the
state treasurer to deposit public funds
in banks that must pay interest for
their use, such interest to be turned
into the treasury.as a part OF the pub
lie revenue, and to keep proper &C.
count OF such receipts. An opinion
rendered by theHattorney general de.
clared thatithelcontrol OF public funds
could not be taken from the state
treasurer by legislative enactment, as
q constitutional provision makes him
the sole. custodian OF the money. To
meet this situation, the legislature
proposed an amendment to the consti-
tuition which provides for the deposit
of state funds.by a board composed OF
the governoriand two or three other
state officials, who shall designate the
repositories that shall receive the
money and pay interest on it.
Another law enacted by the tenth
assembly imposes heavy penalties up
on officials :who make profits upor
public funds and fail to pay such pro
fits into the public treasury.
10 the matter OF interest on county
funds, there was no legislation en-
acted by the tenth assembly. y bill,
with that end in view was introduced
in the state senate by Hon. T. NJ
Everett, of Chouteau county, and re
ferred to q IcOmmittee from which 4
was never reported. Another meas,
ure rel ating to the same subject was
introduced in the house late in the
session by Hon. H. N.lBlake, OF Deer
Lodge county, but met with strong op'
position because of severalialleged de-
fects. Its opponents succeeded in kill
ing the measure by a%n:adverse vote.
The failure of the tenthlassembly te
enact a law requiring thebpayment O
interest on county funds demonstrate
the wisdom aud.prudencelofthe course
adopted by the lpeople OF Choutea,
county in securing personal pledge'
from the party candid ates for count,
treasurer. TheIsuccessful candida ate
the present democratic incumbent
pledged himself toNcollect and &C
count for interest on public funds en-
trusted to his care, and it gives tn,
River Press considerable pleasure Il
state that it hasO the personal assur
ance of County Treasurer l.. o. Hud
son that he proposes to:carry out tn
pledge made to his ...constituents-an.
allegation or suspicion to the con
trary Notwithstanding.
This is q question in which polite
should cut no figure. The peopl
want and are entitled to a square dea
from their public officials, whether tn
latter belong to the republican, dem
ocratic, or some other political party