The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1908-05-20
WEDNESDAY, MAY 70, 1905.
MONTANA LIVESTOCK MATTERS

AZ q matter of fact there has been
among north Montana stockmen q
strong undercurrent of diss atifaction
toward the state board of stock com.
m%issioners, which is looked upon as
q close corporation whose AFT airs are
manipulated by q few men, who reside
1t the state capital, against the inter-
ests OF the stockmen of this part OF the
state.-Great Falls Tribune.
The views OF north Montana stock
men are undoubtedly given correct
expression in these remarks and other
editorial reference to the matter by
the Tribune, but the latter appears to
be barking up the wrong tree. 1t Gen.
sures the state board Of stock COM
missioners for its failure to comply
with the wishes Of Montana stockmen,
but overlooks the fact that greater
responsibility attaches to the gov.
ernor of Montana who placed the
offending commissioners in Office.
The state board Of stock commits
sioners 10 composed of men appointed
by the governor for q term of two
years, and who are supposed to pro.
mote in every possible way the welfare
of the livestock interests in all parts
of the state. Should it develop at any
time that memberslof the board fail to
properly perform their official duty,
or to comply with reasonable requests
from the constituencies they represent,
II is up to the appointive power to &C.
cept the responsibility for any un-
pleas antness or dissatisfaction that
may result.
The record Of the state board in
certain matters affecting the interests
of northern Montana stockmen does
not encourage extensive support for q
new organization which proposes to
act in harmony with the board. In q
circular letter received by several
stockmen OF this vicinity, it is an.
nounced that an organization to be
known as the "Montana Livestock
Association has been formed, and
that its promoters desire to make il
representative of the livestock inter.
ests of the entire state.
The necessity for such an organiza.
ton is not apparent to many local
stockmen 10 whom the matter has been
presented. Their interests are salts.
factorily represented by the North
Montana Roundup association. which
al organized several years ago, and
whose executive officers have used
every endeavor to advance and pro.
tect the welfare of its members. It's
meetings are held at places convenient
Of access by members, who are thus
given an opportunity to take active
part in it's affairs.
Equally satisfactory service has
been given by the Montana Stock
growers association, with headquar.
tiers at Miles!City, which has been in
existence over twenty years, and
smaller organizationssof stockmen in
other parts OF Montana are success
fully performings the work for which
they were formed.
In view of the attempts that have
been made fr~om!time to time to dis.
rupt some of these organizations, OF
to secure controlIof their.af Fl airs, many
northern Montana stockmen question
the propriety orladvisabilty Of sflliat'
- r,SAk - ,n1,,, o~>$$~- g. .AS.l
there appears to be 40 special de-
mand. Its purpose;may1be Legitimate
and commend able, but q number Of
Montana citizens whosare engaged ir
the livestock business come from Mis-
souri, and will await further informa
ton.