New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-08-05
MONTANA AFFAIRS.

ISSUES OF THE AUGUST ELECTIoN-RECEST DfsCO'-
ERIEs OF GoLD-FIGHTIYG GRAssHoPPERs-fHE
CHINESE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AND IMPROVE
MENT AMONG THE MINERS.
IRON AN occ AsIoYAL CORRESPONDENT oPrHE rRfBuSE'I
VIRGINIA CITY, NJ. T., July 25.-Ihe election
which is to take place in this Territory Aug WIZ de
eide not only representation by delegate in Con-
Gress but whether the capital OF Montana shall remain
here be removed TO Helena. On the question OF re-
moving the capital there Is exciting contest Inc
election of Delegate also likely TO be closely con-
tested The Democrats have renominated Delegate
McGnnis and the Republicans have selected as their
candidate the Hon. c. Hedges Territorial supern-
tendent Of Schools.
Gold has been discovered in the bed OF the Jefferson
RI YER of il being found for distance OF 40 or 90
miles; also the beds Of several other streams New
discoveries have been made OF odes OF gold ana SILVER
some of the latter very rich. Extensive preparations
are IN progress cleaning up the bed OF the Her
SON. one OF the chief tributaries Of "Od Muddy aud
is confidently believed that abundant golden harvest
will be realized from this and other sources this Fsii.
Many ranchmen whose crops have been destroyed by
grasshoppers the plague OF the Northwest nave
staked of claims and will their attention for the
remainder OF the 10 pannng the SHINING aust
have seen a number OF large fields OF grain entirely
DESTROYED by these voracious OF them hay-
ing the appearance Of having pastured by sheep
One ranchman, living right in the midst OF this desoa'
Ion saved his crop by six weeks hght and eteFhal
vigilance in guarding it, His grain field Is surrounded
by an irrgating ditch. When the srasshoppers com
menced Matching he turned the water his grain ana
kept it there till the young insects were drowned When
the outsiders began trespassing by hopping over his
ditch he stationed guards all sides who drove the
enemy back, aud thus many of them found Watery
grave This man told me that his neighbor laughed at
hun for gming that he could drive away an army OF
grasshoppers, but it IL his turn to laugh
The worst enemies TO the bright prospects OF the
future of Montana the grasshOppers aOdthe Chinese
And since demonstrated that the former can
be drowned and kept at bay, only remains for some
one the problem What's 10 be done with JOhn
Chinaman ~ The Chinese generally industrious
miners, washers and cooks, but prohigate gamblers
Too many the pioneers have the same bad habits, and
are not as strict observers OF tue Christian Sabbath as
some Of the Puritans yet rapid change Is taxing
place in respect to these things. ASIDE from
the little Irregularities that prevail more or less
in most IL not all newly settled places especially
mining camps. Montana will compare favorably
with any section in morality and general lntelli-
gence There published in this city two papers two
dalles and two weekes in Helena, one each in Boze
mar Deer Lodge Mssoua, and Fort Shaw, and it IS not
an uncommon thing to find men taking them all, be-
THE TRIBUNE and several other Eastern papers
The Montana pioneer is largely endued with the true
spirit OF charity Many OF them are generous almost TO
a fault. II "a pilgrim makes an effort at prospecting
and fails TO find 81 the nuggets" they don't all stand
ready TO kick him into the shaft and cover him with
the drift" but the other hand they will aid him il
getting down to the rich "Ded rock"