The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-04-24
AFFECTS MONTANA STOCKMEN

The action of the tenth assembly in
repeating special taxes upon livestock.
was the subject of discussion at the
Miles City meetings of eastern Mon.
tana sheepmen and the Montana
Stockgrowers association, the matter
being considered of serious conse-
quence to the interests affected. The
situation resulting from this legisla-
ton is described in Secretary Preu-
itt's report as follows:
The Legislature also passed a law
repeating the special taxes on live
stock for stock inspector and detec.
tive purposes, bounty fund, and all
other special taxes, after an opinion
of the attorney general that the laws
were unconstitutional. The stockmen
were generally aware that this law
was unconstitutional, but as it was
levied on the stock interests alone,
and used for their protection, the au.
thorities have always allowed levies
to be made. This will handicap the
inspection work, and unless some ar.
rangements are made, the local in.
spectors, as we'll as the inspectors at
the markets will have to be recalled,
as this fund a the only n that
maintained the inspection force prtn-
cipally.
Al the meeting of the board Of stock
commissioners held April S and 6,
1907, the finances we're discussed, and
after considering the matter thorough.
ly, it was decided to cut the force OF
inspectors down, and other expenses
curtailed as much as possible, with
the hope that the money on hand will
last until the next meeting of the leg.
islature, when it Is hoped suitable
laws will be passed, or an a%ppropria-
ton made from the general fund for
stock inspection purposes, as without
protection in the way Of stock inspec.
ton at the markets the stock interests
will be at the mercy of the evil.doers.
1t is hoped that all stockmen will
interest themselves in this matter and
work to the end of having suitable
legislation on the subject. AS the
amount derived from the sale OF cattle
going from this state to market reaches
the sum Of seven to nine million dol.
lars yearly, it would seem that this
industry ought to be protected by
suitable laws, rather than to be left
unprotected.
1t will now be two years before the
legislature will meet again without an
extra session should be called, and l
think people willarealize before that
time the necessity of having laws
placed on the statute books to protect
the industry, and of electing men who
will see to it that such laws are en-
acted.
The Legislature also passed a law
requiring the shippers Of cattle 10
furnish two copies OF their tally, one
to the inspector at destination market,
and one to the agent OF the railroad
company at loading point, who within
two days after shipment send copy to
the board of stock commissioners: the
blanks for this purpose to be fur.
nished by the board OF stock commits
sioners. If these lists are carefully
prepared it will help the inspectors in
their inspection of the cattle.
The 'scab' situation has not been
discussed this year, and we do not
know what steps will be taken by the
bureau of animal industry, but it is
urged for the benefit of the stockmeu
that where they see any sigos of this
disease, to lose no time in stamping il
out.