The Montana post., 1869-01-01
VIpeINIA CITY. Dec. 21. 1868.

VPGINIA CRY, Dec. 81, 1868.
I EDITORS PcsT: The failure to repeal
the placer mining law caused the mem
bers from Deer Lodge and Miss ula TO
unite on bill tor its Abrogation in their
counties. This was discussed this morn
/ ing. The discussion was animated. and
participated in by Messrs. Dance. Bagg
and Rand in favor of the bill, and
Messrs. English, Cullen, Davis. Orr and
| Watson opposed. Davis and Orr, how
ever. opposed TO the principle OF divis-
] ional legislation, voted for the bill. L
was particularly pleased with the man-
ner in which Bagg and Dance treated
! the subject. but no amount OF experience
can convince man against his viii.
Why the subject of placer mining,
which has hitherto been carried on har-
moniously in this and all other Territo>
ries. by the miners themselves, should
now be thrown into courts, 10 decide
/ petty questions, is incomprehensibl
Miners, who generally understand their
own business best, are unanimous IN
their opposition to it. Mr.. Orr thinks
this no reason for changing the legisla-
tion. II all the miners in the Territory
were opposed to it, it would make no
differences with him. IL is no part of a
miners business To instruct Legisla-
ture. how great soever he may be in
jured by legislation II the Democrats
do not get sick of their action upon this
subject before another session of the
Legislature, put me down for no proph~
ct. Dance and Bagg spoke very plainly,
and declared that il would be impossi.
bic 10 work the placer in their counties
under the law-that the people were in
dignant and excited at it's passage, and
We're constantly writing them on the
subject. The same feeling exists here.
/ The instance of Ramshorn gulch, a lew
weeks ago, may be- cited To show how
the law was regarded, and the difficult
ties il entaIled upon claim owners.
The bill exempted Deer Lodge and
Missoula from the operation of the law
passed the Council, amt WAS taken UP in
the House this afternoon. Mr.. Staples
ION at once moved that Beaverhead bs-
included He is an old gulch miner, and
has formed opinions on the subject. that
! ought To be of some value The bill
passed with this amendment. and will
go back for the concurrence of the COun-
Gil, where it will probably encounter the
opposition of Major Watson. III SO, il is
more than probable il will be killed al
together.
A bill passed the Council to~day, pro-
viding for the submission OF the .-apital
question, as between Deer Lodge and
Virginia City to the people. It will prob
ably meet with opposition in the House
and th. name of Helena be substituted
for Deer Lodge There will be some
thing of a fight over it before il reaches
the Governor, and it is reported that he
will veto il. These are the only meas-
ures of Importance that have bren agi-
taIed since my last. Both Houses are
laying out business to occupy the fifty
days. Meantime the town is gaining
unenviable notoriety for occasions. AnO-
ther 54th birth day has been celebrated,
and in this latter case. il is that of Mr..
Bagg This came off aturday, and was
participated in by a number of his tel
Inv members and other officials of the
Territory.
As usual ali the active congratula>
tions wound up with those refreshments
known only to the Ancient diSpensa-
tion of corn drink" Serious reflections
took the place OF merriment, in the mind
of the central figure. as the day drew
near it's close. The last we saw of him
he was evidently looking forward u the
short span left, and endeavOring to
comprehend its untathomed abilities.
Prayer was in his heart, but the dis
turbances of the days indulg-nces had
produced perturbaliOns in his brain.
which eliminated in the very satisfac-
tory quotation, MY mind to me king
dom is"
The effervescence had all disappeared,
like beads from champagne. this mOrn-
ing. and we have seldom heard the ven
cradle member from Deer Lodge acquit
himself bett. than in discussing the
placer mining law. SIeighing is al the
George ROckfellow, fitted up an elegant
turn out" this afternoon, tour spanking
horses, sleigh bells and robes dd H6itunl,
and three or four of the prettiest young
ladies in the mountains. Tue girls were
happy, and George glorious. Wallace
street was in n Sensation Masonic
elections are on the tapis. On Saturday
evening Montana Lodge elected officers.
III. l.. Hosner. w. NJ, j. M. Knight. s.
w. and w. Baily. J. W.. Who were in
stalled by q. NJ, W. +. Sanders To-
night the Il. A. Chapter, tu morrow
night the r. A. Council, Thursday eve
ming the COmmandery OF Knight Tenn
plars, and Saturday evening Virginia
Lodge elect officers. Turkeys are being
expressed here rather literally from
Salt Lake for the Christmas holidays.
So you see we keep up the good old
observances. aud enjoy ourselves as best
We may. No mJrs at present.
ONCE MORE
On Thursday eyeninp saws the San