The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-01-13
WEDNESDAY, JAN. IL, 1909.
LIVESTOCK LEGISLATION.

If the members of the eleventh legis-
lative assembly follow some of the
suggestions made in the message re.
Gently received from Governor Norris,
the livestock interests will be bene-
fitted. Matters of Importance to the
Montana livestock industry receive
this mention in the governors mes
sage:
For some years there were levied
and collected special taxes upon
horses, cattle and sheep for the benefit
of the bounty fund: upon cattle and
horses for the benefit of the stock in.
spector and detective fund, and upon
sheep for the benefit of the sheep in.
spection and indemnity fund.
The special bounty tax, inclusive of
S per cent of all licenses collected, was
used to pay bounties on stock-destroy.
ing animals. The stock inspector and
detective fund was used for the benefit
of the cattle and horse industry, and
the sheep inspection and indemnity
fund was used for the benefit of the
sheep industry.
About two years ago it vas found
that the statutes providing for special
levies of the kinds named were uncon.
stitutional, and collections hereunder
ceased.
For two years bounties have been
paid from the balance on Ind in the
bounty fund and the money received
from licenses, which was, for the
years 19O7sand 1908. s67, 500 and s43,-
100.
There are now onsfle with the board
of examiners bounty claims amount
ing to S35, 778, which cannot be paid
for want of funds. During the next
two years there will be filed bounty
claims to the amount of at least $780,.
600.
To discharge the total liability of
1926 900 now due and to accrue under
the present law, against the bounty
fund, there will be only the sum re.
ceived from licenses, estimated at
s6S. 600, leaving unpaid claims for the
next swo years at 1857, 600.
Bounties are very necessary for the
protection of the stock interests, and
in order that the full benefits may be
received therefromSprompt payment Of
claims may be made.
The present income of the state for
general purposes will not permit the
payment of bounty claims from the
general fund. These claims are legal.
ly authorized, cannot be repudiated,
and must ultimately be paid l rec.
ommend the submission of q constitu.
tional amendment authorizing a spe.
cial tax on livestock to pay bounties
and provide special protection to the
livestocksinterests.
The work of the board of stock COM
missioners and of the board of sheep
commissioners is so important and
necessaryIfor the stock interests that
the same should not be handicapped
by the lack!sof the necessary funds
until other arrangements are made.
l recommend an appropriation from
the general fund sufficient to carry on
the work of these boards for the next
two years.
The inspection, eradication and
prevention of the diseases among
livestock of the state are so important
that no effort must be spared to pro-
vide sufficient funds for those pur-
poses.
The stock boards and officers
charged with such duties have per.
formed valuable services for the stock
interests-services which must be con-
tinued. TO permit our livestock to
become contaminated would entail
large losses and do unreasonable
harm.
Your closest attention is called to
the necessity for, and your most dis.
eliminating judgment should be exer.
cised as to laws for the prevention
and eradication of disease among the
livestock. The state veterinary sur
geon makes some valuable sugges-
tions in his report, to which your at.
tention is called.