The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-11-29
Organize
To Oppose
Consolidation
Meeting at Choteau Starts
State Wide Move Against
Enforced Consolidation.
LARGE NUMBER
IN ATTENDANCE

eiS o~Sailo W pC LIE Il1lcI1l Ill SOME QUAR-
tiers. A few weeks ago this newspape
published an article commenting on
news item that had appeared in tn
daily press to the effect that the Mon
tana Taxpayers association intended I
attempt to force through the next SEES
sion OF the Montana legislature an &C
calling for constitutional amendmen
that would reduce the number of Mon
tana counties from Sc to Is. II was sait
that if such an act could be forced
through the legislature, its adoption wa!
a toregone conclusion as the popula-
ton III the 16 counties to be benefited
far outnumbered the population of the
40 counties to be dismembered. Under
the proposed plan, Flathead would be
the only county in northwest Montana
and Kalispell the county seat
Almost Immediately after the news
item appeared in the daily press, this
newspaper received a letter from the
secretary of the Montana Taxpayers
association which said there was Moth
ing to the published story and that the
association had no intention of forcing
Montana counties into consolidation
to which they might be opposed
Are Suspicious.
Now is appears there is suspicion in
some quarters that such consolidation
is intended, If not by the Taxpayers
association at least by other forces. AS
consequence of that suspicion,
meeting was held in Choteau last Sat-
urday and the nucleus Of an organiza-
ton formed to oppose forced consoli-
dation. The Choteau meeting adopted
the following resolutions:
Whereas. there appears to exist in
the State of Montana today a well-de-
fined movement advocating the forced
consolidation of Montana counties to
the end that the number shall be re-
duced to sixteen;
And whereas, a group of reDresen-
tatives, citizens and taxpayers, of Teton,
Chouteau and Judith Basin counties
meeting in Choteau. Teton County,
Montana. on this 23rd day of Novem-
Der, 1884 are OF the belief that such
a movement is adverse to the best in
terests of the citizens and taxpayers Of
the respective counties,
Now. therefore. be it resolved That
this said group of citizens hereby OPP
pose anv and all activities pertaining
to the forced consolidation of county
or counties save and except the county
or counties first having the privilege
of voting or acquiescing in said con-
solidation as an individual county and
not as group of counties.
And be it further resolved. That it |
Is the sentiment of this said group of
citizens that if any county desires con-
solidation it shall be its duty as a coun-
ty to first have the privilege OF refusing
or voting on said consolidation.
And be 1t further resolved That it |
is the belief Of this said group of citizens
that it shall be the privilege Of any
county wishing consolidation of coun-
ties to have the said privilege by vote
of said county of refusing the consoli-
dation of any adjacent county or coun-
ties.
And be it further resolved: That |
permanent organization be organized /
to combat any forced consolidation of
counties.
And be it further resolved: That this
communicate with repre-
of other Montana counties
that they take the matter
up in their county and to meet or COM
with members of this organ
ization to expires their opinion and to
aid this organization to defeat forced
of counties"
Many Attend Meeting.
The Montana Record Herald of last
Sunday carried the following item re-
garding the Choteau meeting.
CHOTEAU, Nov. 24.-Representa-
tives of four Montana counties formed |
a temporary organization here yester-
day to oppose forced consolidation" Of
county governments.
The group, delegates from Judith
Basin, Pondera, Teton and Chouteau
voiced disapproval of the
Montana Taxpayers associations rec
that the legislature re-
duce the number Of Montana counties
from S. to is.
The temporary organization, how
ever, expressed favor Of county con-
solidation through mutual resolutions
adopted by the counties themselves.
H. +. Thurston of Stanford, was elect
ed temporary chairman of the group,
and E. W. Harris was named treasurer
The selection Of secretary was left to
the chairman.
Vice chairmen, one from each OF the
counties represented, were elected as
follows: Mike Thorpe, Chouteau; E. r..
Severtson, Pondera; c. W. Burns,
Teton, and N. B. Matthews, judith
Basin.
About 100 attended the session, in
Guiding state senators from all four
counties, several state representatives,
bankers, attorneys and business men
Speakers indicated they were salts
fled with the present setup. They main
tanned forced consolidation would be