The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-03-06
The River Press.
Polished every Wednesday, Morning
bu the RiUer Press Publish
ing Company.
PERFlDY AND

Some twelve years ago a democratic
enacted a law which a demo.
cratic president denounced as an act
of ''perfidy and dishonor." His views
in this connection received the endorse
ment of the American people to such
an extent that the political party re-
sponsible for that legislation has been
in a minority in congress ever since
that time.
Advices from Helena make the sur
prising announcement that the tenth
legislative assembly has under con-
sideration a scheme by which it is
proposed to treat with derision and
contempt a constitutional provision
relating to interest on public funds;
to repudiate pledges made in political
Platforms; and to instruct the attorney
general to violate his official oath by
desisting from the performance of his
duty. This outrageous attempt to in
terfere with and prevent the prosecu-
ton of suits pending in the courts is
in the form of a joint resolution which
has passed the senate, and which is to
this effect:
Whereas, certain actions have been instituted
by the attorney general of the state of Montana in
the name of the state for the purpose of requiring
the state treasurer, his predecessors in office, and
the %sureties on their official bonds, to account for
and pay over to the state certain interest on pub
lie moneys which it is alleged has been unlawful
ly collected and appropriated by said state Off
GERS; and
Whereas, it is questionable whether the provi-
sion Of the constitution relating to the making of
profit ont of public moneys is self-executing; and
it is further questionable whether said provision,
ii self-executing. has been violated by the collec-
ton and appropriation of such interest; and
Whereas, no law has ever been enacted to carry
said provision of the constitution into effect, but
a law will be enacted at the present session of the
Legislative assembly to prevent future collection
and appropriation of such interest; and
Whereas, if such state treasurers have collected
and appropriated such interest it has been done
ever since Montana became II state and by and
with the silent acquiesence, approval and sane
ton of the people and taxpayers of the state of
Montana: and
Whereas, considering the amount of bond the
said treasurer is required to furnish, and the am.
onnt of public moneys in his possession, and UNI
der his control and the fact that he is liable abso-
lutely and ut all events for any loss of such
moneys, whether through his fault or otherwise,
and considering generally the responsibility he is
required to assume, the salary paid such officer
has not been commensurate with such response.
bility. Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the Legislative
assembly that no public good or benefit can be
subserved or accomplished by the further prose
cution of such actions and the same should be
dismissed; be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be
furnished to the honorable, the attorney general
of the state of Montana.
1t is the belief of this newspaper
that no such resolution as the above
has ever been adopted by the legisla
tive assembly of any other state, MOI
can it believe that any body of honest
decent and intelligent men will give
its aid and consent to such an infam
Gus attempt to shield any public Off
cial accused of wrong doing.
1t is not the function of IA Legislative
assembly to interpret constitutions
provisions whose force or effect up
pears to be a matter of doubt. Th
determination of these matters belong
to the courts.
1t is an unwarranted assumption @
power for a legislative assembly t
butt into IA lawsuit that is in process
of adjudication, and to urge the pre-
scouting attorney to disgrace himseI
by failing to perform the duties OF hi
office.
In the tenth Legislative assembl
there are Is republican members, VIII
are in honor bound by this pledge /
their party platform:
We are opposed to the use Of publ
moneys for private gain, which is fo'
hidden by our constitution and k
public rights as we'll; and we demar
that all sums which may have bee
obtained by private individuals out
the unlawful use Of the public fune
be recovered for the state. And v
insist upon the passage Of such le
islation as may be required to preve
such misuse Of public funds.
We pledge all republican membe
Of the legislature and all republics