Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1877-01-25

there necessarily comes aseason of prosperi-
ty which cannot hold up-a flood OF popuI;'-
non. business, etc, which must, i'll course
of a few years. fall away. Montana has
seen that day. These mountains were once
crowded with fortune hunters; business
went will, a rush, and money was plenty.
A man thought no more of five dollars then
than he does of one. to-day. Year ny yer
this state of things gradually died away.
Our population has fallen off and business
has gone down-down! But reaction in its
time has s. { in we have again began TO
prosper. This time, our prosperity Is Il per-
Manent one. The true value OF our agr1cui-
t1ral facilities has been demonstrated. ON
vast pastoral privileges are becoming more
and more appreciated. and our quartz inter
ests arc being developed and we are march
ing on to a degree of prosperity from which
Shere will he no decline.
That region of country along the line Of
the Union and Central Pacific railroads,
have passed through a like ordeal. The
building of the road was to them what on
rich gulches were to Montana. But when
the road was completed there was nothing
10 sustain the business. and then came a
crisis-a season Of dulness more terrible
than that which existed prior to the COM
mencement of the roads. But. at last this
section has begun TO prosper. again machine
shops, coaleries. and stock-raising have con-
spired to create a lively trade. but it has re
duired time to do it. Every me who has
experienced one of these seasons OF dullness
which follows so close on the heels of one
of these periods of unwairantcd prosperity,
must admit that it were far better if that
rapid and unhealthy growth never existed,
than that a people should have to endure its
falling off again.
In discussing the subject ofa railroad to
Montana. we often hear the remark that il
would make times brisk while it was being
built, which would enable present wner
Of business. etc. must necessarily follow its
completion. Now ifthis is the effect to be pro
duced, it would be nnwise to spend any mon
ey to bring about such a state ofatfairs. We
don't want any more temporary greatness.
We are prospecting now. There is nc better
poor mans country in America, and it will
only he a few years until emigrants attract
ed lither by orr shipment of wool, beet and
ores, will begin to track the plains between
this and the States, by hundreds. This will
bring railroads and all the kindred benefits
Of civilization. Now the question to be de
termined. is whether it is better to wait FOL
the steady progress of events to bring II.
these things whether we should wait fl
business demands to build II railroad, o.
whether we shall build one to make the bus
tness? This is a progressive age, and the lat
ter course TO a wide-awake go-alead people
seems by far tile most like business, yetth
former is surest and usually attended will
best results. Wedo not thirst for any sen
aon of prosperous times that will not be per
manent. We are not here for a term 0
years, buoyed mp by the hope OF making
fortune out OF some visionary enterprise
and depart to some SUMMER cline. We az
here to build Il home-have east our destin,
with the Territory and expect to spend til
remainder of our days here, and finally fin
\ last resting place among her pictnresqu
. hills and consequently are only in favor {
such measures rs may insure steady am
permanent good.
The winter is proving unusually severe
both west and east. In western Nebraska