The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1922-12-20
THE LEGISLATURE.

Within two weeks the Eighteenth session of the
legislature will have begun it's work of
making and repeating laws. 1t is to be hoped
that the session will be one that will be favorably
remembered. Without doubt the comm. session
will be a hi~story-making one for the state of Mon
tana, because of the attitude of certain interests
against a program which Governor Dixon is sup
porting.
The program of tax legislation outlined by the
governor for consideration by the coming legis-
lature, is not a one-man proposition as so many
seem to believe. It is rather the program the agri-
cultural, livestock, and business interests of the
state have long desired. For many years there
has been talk of the need of changes in the pres
ent tax laws of this state, but there has never
been any concerted action taken to bring it about.
The members of the state legislature have in
the past assumed an Indifferent attitude in the
matter, the same as has the people of the state.
During the past two years Governor Dixon has
presented the matter of taxes in Montana to the
people in addresses made at the meetings all
over the state. There has not been much support.
given his program by the press, with the excep-
tons Of a few newspapers scattered about the
state, and it has been a difficult matter for him
to present the need of better tax laws to the larger
number. There has grown up a sentiment over
the state, however, that the change is needed and
it was so shown in the last election.
Most of those elected to either the house or
senate of the coming legislative session, were
considered and supported because of their ap-
proval or disapproval of the necessity of better
tax laws. Since the election, much has been
said in the press about the members of the legis-
lature being used to enact legislation according
to the dictates of the governor, without regard to
whether such legislation is good for the state
or not. This is foolishness, and an argument that
is entirely unsound. Questioning the honest in
tent of members of the legislators, before they
have filled the position to which they have been
elected, is an insult to their intelligence.
The men elected to serve in the Eighteenth leg
legislative session are good citizens, and can be
depended upon to give due consideration to all
legislative measures introduced. Should there be
measures presented that are not for the best
interests of the whole state these men can be
depended upon to know what to do. The conten-
ton that members of the legislature who support
the desires of the governor, will be rubber
stamps" without judgment is foolishness; Just az
it is foolishness to contend that those who con.
sistently oppose such legislative measures are
rubber stamps for doing so.
No doubt there will be some real hot times
during the session. There is a determined atti
tude openly shown, by the large corporations O.
the state, to oppose the proposed tax measures
Offered by Governor Dixon to increase the revenu,
of the state. If these corporations can influenc
members of the legislature to defeat such meas
ures they will do so. If they can not, then tn
state will be placed in a position to have the ia,
burden of the citizens more equally distributed
In either case the members can not be classe,
S as rubber stamps"
Montana is in greater need of constructive leg
~islative action today, than has been the case TO
s the thirty-three years of her statehood. 1t is t
. be hoped the members of the Eighteenth sessio
t will function for the best interests of the state, s
e that when the session is over, none who have ha
part in its doings will have cause to be ashamed
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