The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1864-12-24

same to tho use of himself. his heirs or as
signs. PrOrided, That within six months
after date of recording, he shall perform,
or cause to be performed thereon, work
in value to the sum of one hun
dred dollars" The proviso in this section
appears to me to be particularly unwise.
1t bears with great severity upon that hardy
and pcrsevering class of men who have en-
dured 80 much priyation and labor in
bringing to light the resources of the
country. Whatever obstacle in the way,of
legislation is thrown into the path of the
prospector, will retard our progress and
development. When capital and machine
ry have found their way into this Territory
sufficient to work these mines, then it will
be for the interest of persons holding claims
to open them, and it will require no Iegis-
lation to quicken the promptings of self
interest, but until that time, the expendit-
u2e proposed would be simply waste Of
time and money. | would further suggest
whether it would not be advisable to reduce
quartz claim from 200 to 100 feet in.
length, and also whether the number of
claims on a lode should not be limited each
way from discovery. s. r, U..gaHu-.
E lef3 TIE sEIGNoRAeE ACT. a5.-a1s.
Intimately connected with this subject is
another in which the people of this Terri
tory feel deep and sensitive interest. i
allude to the schemes introduced into Con-
gress for the disposal and taxation of min
eral lands. While am confident that the
general government would Intentionally do
nothing to our detriment, yet through q
misconception of our true situation, and
the peculiar nature of mining interests, it
might infiict upon us an irreparable injury.
We should be willing, as we are, to do our
part in support of the government under
which we live, but we should raise our pro-
test against such measures which strike a
direct blow at our prosperity. The life of
the miner is one of p-ivation and hardship,
and mining is proverbially precarious. The
claim which to-day appears inexhsustible,
may tomorrow be worthless. The mine
should pay like every other man upon what
he is worth, and taxation should rest, not
upon the unknown and possible, but upon
the knownand actual. Government should
find its support in the wealth that is, and
not in the wealth that may be. hope that
we have heard the last of such measures, i,
and that Government will adhere TO its
long established policy. The governme ent
of the United States has too dsep an in
terest in these mining districts to legislste
rashly. From them is to be drawn the
wealth that is to sustain its credit and re-
deem its promises-and every miner who
lifts the pick and shovel is an ally of Gov
ernment, and every pound of gold tax en-
out, adds to its stability and power. That
mad proposition made at the last session of
Congress to have Government seize the
mines and turn off the miners, wss a blow
aimed alike at us and the Government of
which we are part, and had its origin in
the rancor of disloyalty. If mining is
to be taxed, (Which l think it should net
be) the least oppressive and least offen-
sive method would be to tax the gold at the
mint, where ultimately most of the gold
will find its way. aA d. Gao =.
would suggest the propriety of your
mem orializing Congress upon this subject
+. rr''.. INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The past year has been one Of peace and
prosperity to the people of this Territory
| The numerous Indian tribes within ouI
| borders have manifested friendly dispo-
sition, and few acts Of violence or lawless-
ness have been perpetrated. 1t is for the
best interests of this Territory that these
amicable relations should be cultivated and
continued. While shall endeavor to pun
ish with promptness and severity any In
| dian aggression upon our settlements,
shall, at the same time, hold to strict &C.
countsbility any who may trsspass upon
| the rights Of the Indian. In this way only
can peacc be maintained. You will de-
terminc whether any additional legislation
is necessary for the punishment of lawles:
and unprincipled men, who engage in un-
lawful traffic with the Indians. TRUST tia,
the Government will, at an, early day, take
steps for the extinguishment of the Indiar
title in this Territory, in order that oul
lands may ba brought into market. slF
! -zt H AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES. a.
The agricultural interests of this Terri
tory claim your earnest consideration
Most Of the necessaries of life have here.
tofore been brought from the States or Sal
Lake valley-hundreds of miles ovel
mountainous roads. This has rendered
prices almost fabulous-taking from "a,
miner much Of his hard earnings. Oul
population is increasing with such rapidity
that we cannot longer depend upon foreiGI
supplies. We must look to ourselves, ant
as soon as possible, become self-sustain
ing people. While mining, as now, will
ever constitute the paramount interest, We
agriculture must form the enduring basil
of our prosperity. Without it, we are bu
tributaries to, and dependencies upon, sur
rounding bu. far distant settlements. Ou
necessities will constitute the measure o
their demands, and we shaA remain tn
victims of a heartless cupidity; and this
too, while we can boast of as fertile lands
of as rich valleys, as any country on TIL
continent. Wheat, and indeed all the ce
reals, can be raised here in abundance, a
the past year has fully demonstrated, en'
every vegetable that can be raised in tn
States grows here much more abundantly
Stock, which in other countries requires s
much labor and forethought to provide fo
it's winter subsistence, here lives and fatten
through the winter in our valleys. / Know
Of no country SO inviting to the husband
man as this, where labor meets with sue
sure, and munifcent rewards To you
fostering care and encouragement | com
nit this grsat'interest. ~ caE iassSgd ss
5Taih.sl- llei kDucATIox. 'F