The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-07
HAVE HARD ROAD AHEAD
Creation. Of New Counties
in State Has OPPOSE
ton in Senate.

Helena, Feb. G.-(Staff Correspond
ence,)-Though the senate today de-
clared in favor of the creation of
Wheatland county out of portions of
Meagher and .Sweetgrass, and Of Sykes
county out OF the southern portion Of
Fallon county, expressions OF some of
the members WHO voted in favor of
the reports recommending the bills for
passage indicate they will join the
senators who are actively opposed to
the creation OF the new counties, II
advantage is sought to be taken of
today's action by introducing more bills
with the same object in view.
In committee of the whole Oliver
moved s. B. So. creating Wheatland
county, be recommended for. passage.
Meadors moved it be killed. Senator
Jones, who INTRODUCED the bill. ex-
planned it was Endorsed by the Mil
waukee railroad, the Winnecook Land
company, and every big taxpayer in
the district affected. He said Meagher
county was not opposed to it's pas
sage. It will leave Meagher county
with valuation of $6,000,00O and give
the new county the same valuation.
Ellingson opposed the bill, insisted
1t was not wanted by the people of the
district affected, and that Meagher
county man who ra1 for office on a
county division platform was defeated.
lie added its passage would open the
gates to flood of bills.
Mcadors opposed the bill, and read
Governor Stewards veto message of
four years ago when four bills were
killed. Hogan insisted if the bill were
passes it would vitiate the assessed
valuation feature of the county division
law. Kinney said four of the ablest at
torneys of the state had held 10 the
contrary.
While opposed to the legislature
lieved that this county had merit and
was really needed. BY rising vote
, of 16 to IA the bill was favorably rec
commended.
Then s. y. 7G creating Sykes county
came UP. 1t apparently was on the
point OF going to the boneyard when
Oliver moved it be re-rcferred to the
committee on townships and counties.
The motion was adopted.
After. the committee reported to the
senate, iMeadors moved segregation OF
;. b. IS and that it be recommended
for postponement. The motion lost 16
TO 20.
Ayes; Amin, Burla, Clark, Ellingson
Heren, Hogan. IIurd, Junod, Kane. Nc
Cone, Meadors, Morris, Parker, Taylor,
Whiteside, Willett.
Noes, Arnold. Brewer, Dwight. Ed
wards, Featherly, F'ishbeck, Gallwey,
Gnose, Haley, Hcaly, Jones. Kinney,
Lane, Mershon, Muffly, oliver, Roberts,
Slayton; Smith, Williams.
Oliver then moved that the report be
amended as to S. 3. rs and that it be
recommended for passage. He en-
planned Fallon county was not OPP
posed to the bill. that it had no OPP
position, and that because of the con-
ditions prevailing there, a new county
was needed. He explained that Fallon
county was 1876 miles long in an air line
and 1s5 miles by wagon. because of
the great distances from the railroad,
the district judge refused to try cases
last fab but held them all for the
spring term so that when jurors are
summoned the expense will be reduced.
He said the creation of the county
would bring the building of railroad
that much nearer and would enable
the farmers to dispose of their prod
uct without the long 1o0-mile haul.