The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1870-10-29
The Disposition Of the Public Landslide Dif-
ference.

The Montana papers are publishing the in
structions lately issued by the Department at
Washington to the local Registers and Receiv-
Of the Land Office. These officers are instruct
ed to prosecute all persons cutting the timber
upon the public lands into wood. fencing or
lumber, or in any manner for the purpose of
merchandise; they are instructed to suppress
spoilations. and to hold offenders to strict
accountability. The North Wcs. says, "W C
presume this letter from the Department is a
circular addressed to all the Registers and Re
ceivers in the United States" All the papers
Of Montana denounce the instructions, the en-
forcement of which would paralyze every in
dustrial interest. II virtually prohibits the
farmer from fencing in his lands, compelling
him to farm without a fence, house, or even
firewood. Possessory claims required to be
fenced to save them from being jumped, are
thus subjected to virtual contiscation. The
miner would be liable to prosecution for cutting
logs enough to build cabin, or fuel to keep
up fire during the Winters of the North if
these instructions are executed.
What a contrast between the treatment
which the Woodworking pioneer OF the interior
receives from Congress, and that extended to
the great railroad interpretations, While one
is subjected to this humiliating exposure to
criminal prosecution for cutting down a tree
on the public lands, the other is presented
with millions Of acres of the most fertile and
best timbered regions Of the country. Con-
gress gave to the Northern Pacific railroad
company fifty millions of acres of land. II
is "A territory One-fOurth larger than the State
Of Georgia. They are allowed TO mortgage
this immense domain to any person, to any
extent, and to hold it at any price they choose
to charge. Yet this railroad when fully
equipped will not cost in cash over $40. OOO,-
900. When it IS constructed, road and hand,
all belong to the company, and it is esti-
mated that the land will be worth about SO
per acre. Congress, therefore, presents these
land jobbers with profit of $3.50, 600, 600.
This one grant of land is nearly as large as all
the lands yet granted for public schools in
the United States. This is the difference be-
tween being rich and being poor under Re-
publican administration.
After fifty years circuit, the aged Methodist
preacher eIltingly sang, mo foot of land dc
| l possess, no cottage in the Wilderness
Fifty years of Radical rule promises to leave
this nation in a similar fix. Had not the PEG.
pie prevented the passage of Tom Fitch's
bill granting strip of mineral, agricultural
and timbered lands, ninety miles wide and five
hundred miles long, through the center OF
Nevada, under the pretense of building q rail,
road, the miners and agriculturalists along
| this route would quickly have been able to
take up the old Methodist's song. As Il is
| these instructions from the Land Oaice fol
the benefit OF timber mouOpolists may cos
every person, who has "A cord of wood to buy
this Winter, few dollars, and lead perhaps,
some TO more fully realize the advantages o.
Republican legislation.