The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-03-13
WEDNESDAY, MARCH IL, 1907.
THE TENTH ASSEMBLY.

THE TENTH ASSEMBLY,.
Measured by the standard estab'
lished by former legislatures. the tenth
assembly made an excellent record. 1t
is customary, especially among parti'
san newspapers, to magnify the fall
ures or defects of a state legislature,
and overlook or deliberately ignore
the good work accomplished, but the
fair-minded citizen-of whatever pc.
litical f%aith-will give the law maxi
ers a square deal" by recognizing
their efforts to legislate for the best
welfare of their constituents.
The tenth assembly undoubtedly
made some mistakes, its members be-
ing subject to the errors OF judgment
that aflict all of US, but it can be said
with truth and as q non-partisan re.
view of its work that many desirable
and beneficial laws we're enacted dur.
ing its sixty days. session. In regard
to matters in which the majority party
''fell down" by failure to respond to
expectations, those particular prob
lens must be left 70 the consideration
OF future assemblies.
Among the measures OF great public
interest enacted during the session
was the railroad commission law which
is now in effect. 1t is quite probable
that during the early part Of its op.
Grafton the people will not derive all
the benefits anticipated; but as sn
earnest effort to deal with a gigantic
evil the Enactment of such a law de.
serves public commend alton. Defects
in its provisions may develop from
time to time-it is not guaranteed to
be perfect in every detsil-but it 10 q
beginning toward effective legislation
that will stand between the shipper
and the transportation companies and
establish q fair price for the services
rendered.
The enactment of q drastic anti
gambling law also reflects credit upon
the tenth assembly. Former attempts
to regulate or abolish this evil have
been partial or total failures, but it is
believed the new enactment will prove
effective and result in q moral reform
that is desired by all good citizens.
The subject of interest upon public
funds was prominently in evidence
throughout the session, and the laws
enacted in this connection promise to
accomplish the end desired. The fl
nancial effect, as we'll as the moral eff.
feet. of this legislation will be to the
advantage of every man, woman and
child in Montana.
Additional safeguards to the ballot
were provided by the enactment OF a
new law that will prevent the "endless
chain" system of voting that 10 said
to have been practiced in some parts
of Montana. 1t also prevents the fu.
sion OF q miscellaneous lot of political
elements whose existence is for the
sole purpose OF securing a division OF
offices among their so.called leaders.
Important and beneficial legislation
affecting the livestock industry formed
part OF the work of the tenth assembly.
One of the new laws provides for q
correct official tally of cattle and
horses before they are shipped out OF
the state, q system by which the owner
may be Informed as to the disposition
Of his property. Another Measure thai
was enacted contemplates better bust
ness methods in the recording OF
marks and brands, and the distribu.
ton Of the proceeds from sales of es.
trays. The failure OF former legisla-
lures to deal with this subject ha:
caused great dissatisfaction among
owners OF livestock, many Of whom
suffered financial loss from the la,
methods Of shipping strays and dis
posing of the funds derived from theil
sale.
Many subjects Of u general natu.
were covered by other Legislation
which the tenth assembly believed
was tor the best interests Of Moutan,
citizens. While the credit for enactiu,
these laws will be claimed by republi
cane, fairness requires that som,
praise be accorded the political op
position. The democratic membership
OF the assembly was very email, but /
VAS active In exposing alleged defect
in proposed legislation and suggesting
amendments. A few Of the latter wer'
adopted. but in many csses-appsr
emily for psrtisau reasons-they wer
turned down. That IL usually par
Of the game Of politics In leg
islative assemblies, and II appear
70 be impossible to suppress IL. S
far % known, however, the value g