Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-03-06

reapinc, and the superab''ndahce -
products and farming is the grand cause y
croakinc. We want less farming anu uF
pending on Providence to turn soIlc."."1
up. Situated as we are, without lac'.'1o
and so far from the s<gcn;al Influences
would be better off with scarcity 'han -
great a superabundance as has been anu -
likely to be the case if we continue 70 so"'
and our population continue to go.
Newspapers, as general thing, are cons'u-
cred to great extent teachers il the comnu-
nity fro m which they get their support, anu
with the experience and results. particularly
in Gallatin Valley, its strange how they can
advocate pursuit that has already almost
hopelessly involved every one engaged III i''
except in the interest Ct two or three parties
who are the favorites of those who are the
dispensers of Indian or Government COLI
tracts. Supply and demand are unversai'y
acknowledged as governing principles o"'
an over supply of few OF the neccssaries
by no means make up for the deficiency "
other articles, when there is no means Dy
which that over supply can be converted.
And such has been and continues to be SuI
present status.
Let us have less farming, less sowing, less
reaping less hard labor wasted, unless IL can
be converted for the comforts OF lie. II
would he much bette. tor all, if part Of our
farming community would engage in some
other vocation, and not depend upon the
vision that has been taught them OF the reiiei
so near at hand-of the approach OF the N. +.
Railroad; the good Indian war that's going
to be the mail line to be establis he'd from
Cheyenne. also from Bismarck; the opening
and navigation of the Yellowstone River;
the wagon road to the head Of navigation.
and all the Government Forts to be built
along the different routs, also the increase
of Government troops to be scLt along our
border or the Yellowstone Expedition that
has u, reality gone out. Not even wait for
the narrow guage that has blow ed up such a
fuss bctw cen the two little waning towns OF
Virginia and Helena, because to continue
their existence they both want to be the capt.
tai. IT any of these things happen all the
better. then we will be that much ahead OF
any thing that has yet happened.
Take up any OF the newspapers you please
in the Territory, and You will find new dis
coyerics and developments constantly being
made, and prospects better and letter all the
time, and with all these good prospects con-
stantly increasing-propcrty of all kinds IS
rapidly decreasing. Our Territorial and
county debt is increasing, our taxable prop
erty decreasing; our products increasing and
our population decreasing.
The large majority of ranches today wonld
not sell for one half what the Improvements
on them cost and entrance money. These
arc facts not to be denied, and yet our papers
arc having as heretofore encouraging news
of big emigration in the Spring and every
thing hopeful, &C., &c. That sort OF talk is
getting very old and stale.
To have any degree ofprosperity again. we
haze got to turn it up, go to mining or some
other vocation than farming. A few years
ago. the then prosperous towns of Virginia
and Helena afforded us market for our SUR
plus products, but now there is plenty raised
in the immediate vicinity to supply all the
demands Of the population that still remains
there, ard it would be much better to have
one half our population engage in prospect
ing and hunting new mines willie the other
half can support them and II axe more out Of
their labor By the increased prices that ole
hal. the products would command.
1t is common remark that the people
have gone too fast-heen too extravagant-
they must reduce their expenses. sc. Well.
as to reducing their expenses. its true they
must, but to he forced to deny ourselves TIE
comforts OF life is not very palatab.c, particu-
larry when We are tciling for that object.
and see others around us with al! the neces-
saries. comforts and luxuries, without scarce
" ali effort on their part. 1t would certainly
be mich more desirable to crafty our wishes
If we could, than be forced to deny them, as
we must.
There arc mary attractions tina. make this
country dcsil able-sa'h rs good clinla:c,
good people, good soil, good water. gos d
health, etc. But there are many other good
things we have not, that arc necessary to
make those enjoyable. 1t is obvious to the
most unobservant citizen of the Territory
that every material interest is lansnlslling
and pcr;shing, and all for the want OF f1ci!i-
ties to develop our country; and it is to. be
regretted that during session of forty days
delibclation body of men. chosen members
of the people for the very purpose Of better
ing their coalition, could not at. least have
given some proof Of their condition. could
not at least have given scme proof of their
ability and disposition to affect SO desirable
an object. DNt as it is, gloom and .les;'ond-
ency shrouds the Territory. And TIC inter-
sst and destiny of many are so indissolubly
linked with the fate and fortunes of the Ter
ritory that they are doomed to battle it out
on this line, ard to that end we want concert
OF action, although the proposition may
come from VALLEY FARMER.