Year: 1866

bANSACk Feoruary 2oth, 1866


ED. POsT: AS one of the poor men of the masses Of
Montana whose interest is ieopardized by the course ipo
which events are being shaped by Governor Meagber
wish TO enter my earnest protest against the assembling
the Legislature; and also against the Convention called
to meet at Helena the Goth March for the so
pose o rushing at gallop into the position of State
to take our place in the sisterhood of the Union before
are Two years old Territory. We already S35 600
10 debt with insufficient taxable property to lqudate il
Aod 10 hat OOO more for the coming year. and much
more to defray the expenses of the Convention and we
snail have debt of hundred thousand dollars
hanging over u.s. over and above what present burden
some TAX VIII detray Can the Legislature justly levy


gher TAX than the present one? assert without even
lear OF contradiction, that And then too the
hard-workng masses have to foot these bills If the mer
ehants nave to pay heavy license that much more is
added tohe price of provisions the poor are the suf
ferers in the end Suppose the Conveutonsts succeed in
wire-workng us into a State Government behold the
result: Governor is to be elected with large salary


from live to ten thousand dollars per annum with all the
numerous other officers likewise with large salaries State
House Pentenary and numerous other public inst;tn
tions must also be erected Then contemplate if you
please the position we shall occupy the of our first
year OF State G0vernment-hopelessly involved in debt
the people oppressed with credit impaired lead
claims taxed foreign capital taxed everv.hug covered
with taxes Financial ruin will ensue and the people in
order TO free themselves from the CALLING chains of taxa
ton and debt will repudiate. No good citizen wishes to
see such state OF things but the needle points
to the pole so certain will such deporabe state of affairs
ensue, the being pursued by the acting
Governor Office seekers, demagogueS and politicians
successful OF course it's nice thing have fat office
who cares for the poor beasts burden who toll ON and ON
to support their families and the sleek fat kaueu Office
holder do not discuss the present issues as partzan
nor the legal right of Governor Meagher TO convene the
Legislature but policy and Justice to the people
common sense teaches me that is mpotic attempt to


organize state Government while the of the


erory are SO poorly developed and there little of
real OF personal property TO bear the burden so great


tax as would be required osupport Lead property and
foreign capital would necessarily have to be heavily xad
and any easily foresee the immense damage that
sucn legislation would do to u.s.


1t is unjust to throw this state of affairs upon the people
rsuu hx orb, h.,.-
their minds with political contention and opposition LET
us go free and live in peace with each other while we
labor bard to till farms; open mines and workshops build
chooi nouses and churches and thereby prove faith
by our works, well prosperity and our ability To
support the various State officers who would not need half
SO much salary in few years now and in the mean.
ue HE General Government would build our State House
our Penitentiary and our highways ~


Grantng the legality of the calling together Of the Lees
ature would have objection it. if it were not for
the object OF legtimzng the call for the Convention If
the object was to cut off the salaries of the Governor
and judges and to reduce the fees of Recorders Probate
Judges Justices and Sherfs then would saw Amen To II
All the people would say Amen and bless the Goyernor
and Legislature The Legislature should be content with


honor that the people confer upon them and the four
aoHdrs day, which Uncle Sam allows them Shame on
any set of Legislators who would vote themselves twelve
dollars per day. additional pay when four dollars would be
ample to detay all their necessary expenses protest
that the people should never send who gamble or get
drunk to the Legislature elect them offices of honor
or trust We must return to- the simplicity and honesty of
the Fathers of the Republic and, above ALL walk in the
path OF virtue if expect to become prosperous good
ane great The people of this country State
Government and for reduction in all salaries and for
bringing naughty oficeholders upon level with them
seyss and the members of the Legislature and Couven
sob WIS go from this place so pledged and instructed
Such principles we advocate as true Democracy S. FD


FENIANTsM - In Miles 0'Reiy's paper the Citizen,
appears the following announcem n We tell the Amer
lean people and they have heretofore found US pretty
accurate prophets in everything relating to the Feuian
cause that hefre ten weeks there will be- somewhere
AN Irish Republic existing the face of the earth with
nag an army port of entry and exit navy of priy


and the taeH encouragement both Of France and the


United States in the Of begeent acts against
this Republic will be located for we canurt answer II
must 5s called Republic, TO warrant flag and feet
but will really only be used immediate basis of ope
ratons transfer of active hoses to the Canadian
and Irish soils word to the wise is enough And now
while the quidnnncs grow excited will await
Developments giving fberany of their means aid the
oeuss nor VIII they have tsry long r the ulISlmsnt