The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1865-08-19
MAJOR UPsoN's REPLY.

Inforning me of nay nomination as the can
didate Of the Peoples Party, for Delegate
to Congress from this Territory, and enclos-
ing copy of the Platform adopted by the
Convention, is received.
l accept the nomination upon Platform
ignoring the effete partizan issues of the past,
and looking only to the local interests of the
Territory,th more cheerfully, from the fact,
that have never been politician, and in
no manner connected with the discussion
and action upon questions of national policy.
1t has always been my opinion that the pro-
vince of Delegate from a new Territory
especially one so much in need of assistance
from the Government, as ours, was to leave
such questions to persons who have some
voice and vote in shaping them, and to de-
vote himself exclusively to the affairs of this
Territory.
You will permit me briefly to allude to
some of the legislation which l consider
necessary for the development of the min
eral and agricultural resources of Montana,
and for which promise my exclusive efforts,
if elected to the position for which receive
your nomination. IS
lst. l consider the extinction of the Indian
title to the lands included in the counties
east of the Rocky Mountains, of primary
Importance. Until that is done, the owners
Of ranches and town property have mere
possessory title. 1t was for the purpose of
obtaining the necessary appropriation for
extinguishing this title that | visited the
capital last winter, by the advice of Gov.
Edgerton and was so fortunate. even after
the matter had been entirely omitted from
the general appropriation bill in the House
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the Senate, and the ultimate passage in the
last hour of the session, of an appropriation
of $4,000. Under this appropriation, the
Indian title will doubtless be extinguished
during the present season, and an absolute
title given to actual settlers.
I'd. The protection of the emgrants to our
mines requires that the Indian tribes should
be restricted within narrower limits, and
removed to further distance from the white
settlom ents.- L should deem 1t my duty as
your representative, to advocate such a
change of the present policy as would rigor-
ously punish the Indians for any trespass.
and secure immunity, for the future, from
danger in travelling to our Territory.
Sd. Our citizens require safe and easy
modes of transportation for passengers and
goods to the Territory. For this purpose,
large appropriations are required to remove
distractions in the Missouri river, above
Fort Union, and in the Yellowstone as far as
navigable, to open water communication into
the very heart of the Territory, and also to
further the works already begun, of estab
fishing a wagon road (shorter by several
hundred miles than the present routes) via
the Niobrarah river and the Black Hills.
should consider the securing of such appro-
priations one of the most important duties
of your Delegate.
4th. 1t is due to the pioneers who open
these mountains to civilization, that they
should be guaranteed perfect safety in
removing their hard-earned treasure to the
East; and to secure that end, should insist
upon the establishment of strong military
posts near Portneuf Canon and other dan
gerous localities, as we'll as similar posts for
protection from hostile Indians, at Fort
Benton and near Powder river.
5th. Our mail facilities are insufficient to
meet our wants. The present contractor is
only required to bring a limited amount of
mail matter to the Territory, and suffered to
cast aside any excess over that amount. The
mails are then only distributed at the three
points of the Territory, Bannack, Nevada
fragrant injustice as the withdrawal from our
miners of the same privileges as to the amount
and prompt delivery of their mails, as are
given to all the citizens of other States and
might easily be corrected. |
should make it my first duty at Washington
to demand the carrying of any amount of
mail matter that may require transmission
to or from this Territory, and the speedy
establishment of Offices at Bozeman, Emil
grant Gulch, the Madison Valley, Gallatin,
Jefferson Crossing, Boulder Valley, jefferson
City, Prickly Pear, Helena, Silver City, Fort
Benton, Confederate Gulch, Whites Gulch,
Blackfoot, Deer Lodge, Silver Bow, German
Gulch, Cottonwood, He'll Gate, and all other
points at which there seemed to be a neces-
sity for such Offices. ..... r...E
9th. There are portions of the Internal
Eevenue Law which require amendment. If
the design is to make it of equal effect upon
all, the provision allowing but six hundred
dollars as deduction from incomes, for
expenses of living, which may be a just esti-
mate in the old States, should be materially
altered to prevent it from being ridiculous,
in region where the eamount required for
that purpose is so much greater. There may
be also, sometimes, hardship in the section
requiring license for miners. should
endeavor, if unable to secure the repeal of
this section altogether, to so represent the
Of our miners, and their distance
from localities where published notices would
be easily seen, to the proper committees, as
TO convince them of the necessity of more
liberal regulations to prevent oppression.
7th. Perhaps the most important duty of
your Delegate is to prevent the introduction
and passage of any bill through Congress,
similar to- Julian's Gold Bill, by which the
Governments would take possession of our
quartz lodss and mineral lands. Iappre-
bend that the first wish of our people is to
be let alone in them, or to have our legisla-
Eioa in regard to them confirmed. should
labor constantly for such policy; and at
al times resist with whatever power and
'uausnce L might exert, any attempt 10 rob
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