The Montana post., 1868-12-18
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

mains, petTifactions, fossils. hot, warm
ana medicinal springs. immense gold
and silver deposits. coal, iron, copper.
precious stones and marble, are found in
great profusion and variety in all parts
OF the Territory. Our soil and climate
are adapted to the highest cultivation" F"
OF this suggestion we have heretofore
expressed earnest approval, and, point
ing out method by which it can be at
tanned, hope the Legislature will deem
it worthy of favorable consideration.
Upon the subject of railroads. he gives
preference to the Northern Pacific, but
also favors a memorial to Congress ask
ing subsidy for the branch from the
Union, In this we radically differ from
His Excellency. What would be the
object in the building of a branch to
Montana by tie L. p Co? First, 70
stifie the northern road second, to max e
few millions from its subsidies,
in it's construction for its operation
would be at loss TO the Company.
General Dodge informed us the branch
here was to be altogether independent
of the Oregon Branch. and that il would
not be built unless subsidized. Looking
10 the Northern road as of first import
auce. as promised by the Executive. is il
not folly. II the Territory has any inhu-
snce, To iTitter il away on an object con
templatinE its defeat We have water
communication in the summer. II is
practicable winter route we desire. The
kilograms a few days since demon
Strated the Union Pacific road not
one in which can place dependence.
The northern route is. We refer 10 the
traditions OF the country, the EXplora-
tion and Survey reports, the evidence
of old settlers and historic record, to
show il is less abstructed 10y snow: that
its gradients are less: that its Rocky
Mountain passes are 2500 feet, and the
coast range passes 1000 feet lower; that
its Pacific terminus is 1900 miles the
nearest point for the Asiatic trade TO
reach our coast, and that it passes over
a country uncQualled in minerals, wood,
water, and fertility. while the Central
route is barren waste. IL gives US 500
miles of q main line through and
through the heart Of the Territory. and
its terminus at Puget Sound has the
same. mean annual temperature. as Nor
folk Virginia. Besides. it is going To
be built. Every Indication points 10 IT,
The bill tor ship canal, around Niagara
Falls. now before Congress is "A great
stepping stone 10 the enterprise and it
will become a law. There are many
reasons why Congress should not be as
liberal in its bequests to this lateral
branch as the main trunk. and il is to
be hoped that looking upon the subject
as wise Legislators, the efforts of our as.
sembly will be thrown wholly in favor
of this enterprise admitted "of the high
est Importance
The recommendations TO devise a
method for a steady increase Of populaS
tions by means of an Emigration Socie-
", are eminently entitled to favor, ard
the plan suggested, as well the tri>
butte to the industry and good qualities
of the emigrants from Northern Europe,
evidences practical knowledge of the
subject. Northern Missouri, Iowa, Kan
sas, Nebraska and Dakotah are receiv-
ing their heaviest emigration from Nor
way Sweden. Denmark and the cOun-
tries bordering on the North Sea, and
they are of the best that seek our shores.
On the subject of Indian treaties. the
message gives in detail the objects ac-
complished by them. The Indian title
has. by them, been extinguished in near
Iy all the settled portions of Montana.
This unravels what was before an annoy
ing legal tangle, as the greater portion
of our lands which the government was
surveying and selling had really been
ceded To the Indians, and the govern
ment merely assumed the responsibility
of afterward extinguishing the title to
the lands. That system may work we'll
enough with Indians, as in case the title
could pot he extinguished the Indians
might, but upon general principles it
would be dangerous. The treaties as
existing, give the Mountain Crows the
yellow stone Valley, including Emigrant
Gulch. The Governor recommends a
supplementary treaty distinguishing"
them to the meridian 1904 w. The
treaty with the Black feet tribes gives the
whites Ill the territory above the mouth
of the Marias, thus covering the road
from Helena to Fort Benton. The Ban
mack and Snakes are located in the Sal
mon Rive- Valley. These treaties are
recommended for ratification.
The Governor favors the increase of
the appropriation for a penitentiary to !
100000, and the early construction of
the building. The necessity for safe. |
substantial and commodious territorial
prison is apparent to all, and we hope |
TO see it commenced at as early day |
as sufficient money is appropriated to
insure its completion. and its location |
has been decided upon.
The remainder of the message is de- !
voted mainly to the acquisition of Brit
ish America. n consideration of the !
advantages that ensue therefrom, to
which we will advert again. and a cheer !
ful retrospect of the history OF Montana,
We give the concluding paragraph.
q" With so much in our four years life
TO encourage us in cur labors, i may
conclude with the exortation that we
put away party spirit and local jeal- !
ousies, and with placable temper and
pure patriotism. unite our best efforts
and energies for the glory OF our country
and the prosperity and good name OF
the coming commonwealth of Montans,