The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1878-06-06
JACKSON, OHIO, THURSDAY, JUNE g. 1878

tue elOQuenCe, ana the manly SplrlG Gndl
marked all the protests, petitions, memo
rials and declarations from the Colonists
A like admiration is due these pioneers
in Montana for the manliness and moder
alton with which they laid their griev
ances before Congress Secretary Schurz'i
admirers pride themselves do not say
unjustly-on this great power of express
ion on his finished style of speech.
think | have an equal ri ght to plume my
self on the intelligence and vigor and
virtue impaired by American citizenship
when the mountaineers from the mining
camps of Montana, the "plunderers" anC
'robbers" Of Rev. James Freeman Clarke
send to Congress protest and a petition
like this-a protest which in every ele
ment of force and feeling has to my ears
a truer ring than the virulent missive ir
which Secretary Schurz sought to defame
them. quote their memorial signed by
5000 adult male citizens in a Territory
containing about $4,000 inhabitants
5000 men without regard to party-men
whom the action and report Of Secretary
Schurz, adopted, echoed and emphasized
with the sanction of religion by the Rev.
James Freeman Clarke, stigmatizes as
| 5000 thieves:
"Your memorialists would respectfully
represent that the citizens of Monta
ma have during their residence in this
Territory exercised the same privileges
as settlers upon the public domain as
have been sanctioned and recognized by
the Government and time honored GUS
toms since the first settlement of land in
the United States.
THAT in the occupancy of the land in
a new country where markets are not es-
tablished in which to purchase the real
necessaries. such as fuel, building mate
rial, etc, it is natural to procure these in
the most convenient places as it is to
breathe the free air of Heaven.
That in distant Montana, while the
settlers are improving end making valua-
BILE the public domain and use the wood
and timber for domestic purposes only, a
tax of 81 per cord on wood and 50 per
thousand on lumber is levied and collect
ed by the Government officials among us,
which is onerous, unjust, and burden to
all alike; and
Whereas, It mas been represented to
the Government that the, people here
were satisfied with and acquiesced in the
taxes above enumerated, we positively
deny that any such satisfaction exists,
and, on the contrary, assert that there is
universal complaint and widespread dis
satisfaction and, believing the tax exor.
bitant and distressing to the general con-
sumer we respectfully ask that the order
for the levy be rescinded, and in all
cases where the tax has been paid that
the money be returned; and
"Whereas, The orders, as interpreted
by the officials here, work a total prohi-
bition to cut wood and lumber hereafter,
we respectfully ask that they be instruc-
ted to grant US the same privileges and
rights in the premises as have heretofore
prevailed in this and in all new Terrific
ries; and
Whereas, 1t is necessary in Montana
to cut wood in the Winter, when the
timber is frozen, for the next years con-
sumption, and prohibition to cut wood
for any purpose, as now enforced, will,
in another season, leave the people with
out fire to keep them warm and the mills
and mines proftless for want of fuel and
lum Der; and
Whereas, The prohibition to cut tim
Der ignores and makes it impossible to
comply with the provisions of the pre-
emption laws in acquiring agricultural
and mineral lands, where fencing build
ings, and occupancy are necessary to OBJ
tain title (and these cannot be done
without timber from the public lands),
works great hardship to emigrants who
come expecting to settle and make homes
on the public domain in Montana, we
and most earnestly remon-
strate against any tax whatever on fuel
and lumber while the people here are
stru ggling for existence in a country
cut off from the conveniences and cheap |
living in the States. AS well might His |
Majesty the King of Denmark levy a roy
atty upon the blocks of ice with which |
his subjects in Upper Navic construct
their humble dwellings as to hamper by |
taxes or lack of legislation the pioneers
who carve out and make valuable to the |
of the United States vast
areas of land which, without their indus
try and heroic struggles might remain
unsold and proftless forever; and
Whereas, The timbered lands of Mon |
tana are mostly unsurveyed, and are
and not suitable for tillage, !
they are unlike those in the prairie
States, which need but to be cleared to
make them more productive, while ours
are found on the precipitous mountain
sides, totally without any value except /
for their rocks and firewood and
"Whereas, We are left without any law |
by which we can either preempt home
stead or procure title to any timber land. |
it is evident there must be relief, and
that soon, or else we will be obliged to
give up our homes, quit the country, and |
abandon the great and growing West for
a retrograde movement upon the over
communities of the East.
"And, as in duty bound, we will ever
pray"
Let no one fail to notice how poin tedly |
this memorial contradicts Mr.. Schurz's |
on the authority Of his
agents-that the people of Montana were
with his proceedings | beg to
call attention also to another little incl
dent of the testimony which Mr.. Schurz
produced in evidence of this satisfaction.
Subsequent to the Secretarys communi-
cation to the Senate, Senator Matthews
read from one William Nowlan writing
as citizen of Montana, to the Secretary
of the Interior, eulogizing his course with
respect to the alleged timber depreda
tions, and declaring that it must and
will call forth warm expressions OF good
will and appreciation" This extraordi
nary letter was so entirely at variance
with the whole current of testimony from
citizens of the Territory that it apparent
ly excited not only the surprise but the
suspicious of the Senate. Mr.. Teller, of
Colorado, openly declared his belief that
Nowlan must be one of the Secretary
agents. Senator Matthews, in reply, de-
scribed Mr.. Nowlan "as one of the oldest
citizens of Montana; in busines banker,
and not connected as agent or otherwise
with the Interior Department.
The next day Senator Matthews, with
great frankness and dignity, stated to the
Senate that "Mr. Nowlan was the agent
of the Interior in reference to these tim
Der depredations, and thus, of course
the whole value of this impartial testi-
mony of Mr.. Nowlan fell to the ground;