The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1868-10-30
TERRITORIAL WANTS.

Hlohtana ought not tO agree. Our wants
are great; this is fully understood at
Washington. Congress knows that a
Territory 80 large az ours, so distant
from civilization, so difficult of access. so
exposed To Indian invasion. is in con-
slant need of the assistance of govern
ment. The policy adopted by the gov
eminent, with reference 20 the Terrific
riss adjoining the States, liberal enough.
perhaps for them, il positively niggard-
~ and selfish when applied to Montana.
We have been Obliged To submit to il.
simply because we have not been united
in the expression of our wants. An ap-
preparation of $4,000. to carry on the
government vt the Territory. all things
considered, would not go as far AS half
that amount in Kansas. Nebraska or
even Dakota. These Territories, ac-
cessible at all seasons by steam. escaped
the immense cost of transportation for
all the necessaries of life that has nee
essarily at all seasons to be paid. in
the form of increased prices for food.
clothing, and all the means of existence
10y our citizens. Before either the States
of Nebraska or Kansas were as Terrific
ries. as old as Montana they had provi-
ded themselves, almost entirely from
their annual appropriations, with public
buildings aud offices, and many other
conyeniences that are denied To us, for
which they made no return TO the Cow
ernment. Our Legislature has been ac~
eommodated but poorly, and the offices
now provided tor the public officers of
the Territory, are reproach TO the gov
ernment. The courts have been driven.
in some of the Districts, from one room
TO another, because of the small allow
ances made by the government. and ever
since the organization of the Territory
the Marshal has been embarrassed with
the rental oi suitable Court houses and
prisons. The Secretary has experienced
like embarrassment in the discharge of
his duties. Ours, is Territory of the
United States. and as such, is entitled
to all the aid from Government needful
TO administer its affairs conveniently.
Prices here are at their highest Rents
are enormous. On every side we are
exposed to Indian depredations, and in
many portions OF the settlements we
have suffered greatly. We want more
Forts. and treble the amount of military
force that we now have, for protection.
4 frf,x-. h.a
looking after her own interests. She
has fixed a value upon our quartz lodes,
which of itself, in a very few years, will
yield her larger revenue than either
Nebraska, Kansas or Dakota. She has,
through her internal revenue officers,
collected from our citizens from eighty
To one hundred thousand dollars per
aunum-enough, nearly thrice told TO
pay our annual appropriation, which
she has grudgingly allowed the Terri
tory Her surveyors are in the field. |
laying out and subdividing the lands
for which she Will also, in few years,
receive an immense revenue. Add to
this the fact that, during every year of
our history, weak and unimportant as
we may now appear. there has been
taken from our mines TO the States not
less than ten millions of gold dust and
bullion. which has been taxed, and then
look at the scanty pittance that falls to
us from the Treasury. Our citizens
have endured this injustice rather than
and with the hope that some
thing would be done. Our first Repre- |
accomplished nothing, though |
he did the best he could. We have ex-
pected better things from the activity |
and tact of Mr.. Cavanaugh, but the
truth is, the great fault is with the peo-
pie in not asking for what they need. |
We have pursued submissive policy. |
We need railroad. The Great Central /
Pacific is half stretching its arms out to |
Us, but we have conten:ed ourselves /
with the idea that its owners would find /
it to their interests to come here, and
would come. in their own time. This
may be so. but there is little united &C
ton on our part 4 few meetings be-
fore Congress convenes and full exhibit
Of our resources would certainly do no
harm, and might accelerate matters
in the interest of the North
Pacific Railroad and should that be
failure, direct the attention of the Gem
trail Pacific Company to the construction
of a branch running through Montana
We have never been more than halt
alive to the'great interests OF the Terri
-ory- Our towns have grown up-no
)ne can tell how-and our Territorial
affairs have been carried on. no one can
ell by what means.
ThPre are however "a fss,v thinos ,