The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1910-12-28
NEEDED LEGISLATION.

DS 81 w
busy Legislature which meets next
mooth. Putting aside the election OF
a United States senator, this legisla-
ture ought to be notable for other
causes. 1t Is q good many years
since the people of Montana have been
reused to such interest in politics as
they have felt in this compaign, and
continue to feel in relation to the
sen Material election and the work of
the legislature. Two years ago, un.
der the complete control of the Anal.
gamated Copper company, the free
will of the legislature was practically
paralyzed; this year, the people hav.
ing whipped the octopus in the
torial fight, and having elected q mum.
Der Of lawn akers the latter tried to
defeat. this Legislature spproximates
more closely to something resembling
q really representative, American in.
stitution. Therefore 1t ought to be
busy; it ought to pass some good laws;
and it probably will make q better
name for itself than it's trust.ridden
predecessor. At all events, some
good laws will be pressed upon It's at.
tention, and some of its mem bers may
be depended upon to fight for their en-.
actment.
One bill that will be introduced, of
the very greatest Importance to all the
people of the state, will call for the
amendment of the state constitution to
provide for the taxation OF mining pro-
perty. The vastly wealthy mining
corporations of Silver Bow county
and the valuable mining property of
many other counties for years have
escaped their just proportion of taxa
ton, while individual and corporate
owners and property of all other class.
es, saving religious and kindred ex.
ceptions, have been compelled to pay
more than their just share to Offset
this default. The Amalgamated-Ana.
conda copper combines property is
capitalized for 5000, 600, 600 or more,
and It's great mines turn out millions
OF profits yearly to enrich Its multi.
millionaire nonresident owners. yet
1t pays no direct taxes on its huge
mines and copper lodges. While the
thousands of laborers, farmers, mer.
chants, professional men and others
who form the population of this state,
pay more than q million dollars year.
ly in taxes and other revenue to main.
tain the government, this immensely
W Wealthy copper trust, protected by a
monstrously unjust early.day pro.
vision of the fundamental law, gives
scant return of taxes upon its great
properties, although it enjoys all of
the governmental protection and ser.
| vice available to those who struggle
under tax burden. All over Montana
the people have been awaking to the
crying injustice of this condition, and
q bill will be put before the legislature
10 remedy 1t by amending the consti.
tuition.
The legislature also will be asked to
pass other Legislation intimately as.
ISOLATED with this measure. 1t is q
notorious fact that much property in
the state is assessed at such scanda.
lousy low figures that property OF
all kinds, particularly that owned by
wealthy men and corporations, very
largely escapes q just rate Of tax alton.
Bills to compel county assessors and
boards of equaliz alton to do their
duty in every county and all parts Of
the state, in the matter of making just
assessments, will also be introduced
In the legislature. These evils are q,
the very basis of public welfare in this
state, and men probably will be found
in both houses making strenuous At
tempts to initiate legislation designed
to rectify them.-Montana Lookout.
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