New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-05-18

| Utah within year or two. each one OF when de-
stroyed more timber than all the settlers have used
for all purposes since owned the country. These
fires were in every instance originated by lazy,
shiftless, vagabond Indians for the purpose OF
taking game. These dirty wards of the Nation and
pets of the Interior Department annually destroy, in
savage mischief, more timber than all the timber
thieves of America have stolen since the discoveries
| by Columbus
As soon as attention was called in Congress by the
| Delegate from Montana TO these outrages upon the
settlers and tlefact hadbeen brought out conspicu-
ously in the Senate debate, Mr. Schurz sought oppor-
tunity TO defend himself To afford him that just
privilege. Senator Stanley Mathews procured the
passage of resolution calling on the Secretary ito
report what proceedings have been taken by the
Department of the Interior for the suppression OF
! timber depredations III Montana" The See
rotary took week to reply, aud then transmitted
to the Senate a yoluminous defence OF his
actions, claiming among other things that the
stumpage demanded by him was considered very
! reasonable in Montana. Secretary Schurzs entire
! letter was remarkable: remarkable first, because
| the resolution was passed at his Unconstitutional II
! ought not perhaps to be considered remarkable
| that when he was stung 50 severely he should wish
! to sting back again-remarkable also III the
! fact that for the first time, L DelleVe' III
the history Of Department communications, the 0ec-
! rotary deliberately and per onay replied TO What
| had been said in debate even quoting the precise
! language OF Senators, for criticism and comment.
The Rev. James Freeman Clarke apparently
considers that the legislative branch OF
! our Government has no etiquette when
! the Executive is bound to respect. But all
we'll informed persons. all who are at all
familiar with the ordinary rules of parliamentary
dccorum, know that this is a gross breach of the
| nd between
! two departments of the Government If CABINET
! Minister is attacked in Congress- the whole theory
! of republican Government, with all parties repre-
scented in Congress- is that the Miniserhas supporters
| as well as opponents in both Senate and House,
and they are to speak for him. If the Minister has
no friends competent or willing to defend his cause
| as Secretary SchuIz practically assumed i'll his
own case-the one suggestion of dignity and pro-
prety would seem to be that he retire from the
position! This certainly i'll harmony with English
CUSTOM and it might add to the efficiency of our Gov
eminent if the practice were domcsticated III the
United States.
But Mr.. SchuTz, expressing the inhabitants oi
Montana by his works, and then disappearing
them by his words, effectively answered by the
inhabitants themselves. For as soon as Mr. Schurz's
letter had been read to the Senate the memorial
of the citizens Of Montana was read also. When re-
sistancc to English aggression began IN these Colo
! ues, the admiration of the world-cven OF agrees
i've Encland-was excited by the dignity, the clo-
Quence and the manly spirit that marked all the pro-
tests petitions memorials and declarations from the
! Coonists. lil1 admiration is due these pioneers
| IN Montana for the manlmess and moderation with
! which they laid their grievances before Congress.
Secretary Schurzs admirers PRIDE themselycs-l do
not say unjustly-On his great power of Expression,
! on his finished style of speech. | think have an
equal right to plume myself on the intelligence and
| vgOr and virtue impaired by American citizenship,
! when the mountalneers from the mining camps OF
| Montana the pundcrcrs and robbers of Rev.
James Freeman Clarke send to Congress protest and
petition like this-a protest which in every element
of force and feeling has to nv truer ring than
! the yiruent missIye in which Secretary SchuZ
| sought TO defame them. i quote their memorial,
! signed by 1000 adult male citizens Ill Territory
| containing alb ut $4,000 inhabtants-5,OOO men
! without regard to party-men whom the action and
| report Of Secretary Scnurz adopted, echoed, and
| emphasized with the sanction of religion by the
Rev. James Freeman Clarke, stigmatzeS as 5000
| thieves:
Your memoriasts would respectfully represent that
the citizens Of Montana have during Their residence III
this Territory exercised the same privileges as settlers
upon the public domain as nave Dcch 'hctohed ahu r.
cOgniZed 10y the Government ana tlne-hoHotN customs
since first settlement OF land m the United states.
That IN the occupancy OF the land III new country
where markets est bllshcd IN which To luchast
| III
il is as natural 10 procure theNc IN he mos
pace, as j. is 90 breathe the free ar OF hS9Vrn' o.
! Tina, n distant Montana, willie the settlsrs are I'M
proving ana MAKING valuable we p"pI.C |ohI "l' '
the wood and umb,r Tor domestic purposes "hf, YAK
o. C 'o ol % cn TSCH by tie Goyrrnmcni oc
among lis, winch is OnelOus, unjust. and burden To al
Whercds It has been represented TO the Government
! that the people here were sltShcd WIN ana "Squ-
III enumerated, positively DENY
ri hal ere Is universal compliant ana wIdc-s proad
.Itg- fIsti
distress the general consumer We Respectfully ASK
tot tbc order for the lew DC roscuded and IN ali
the tax has been paid that the none! JcIeiu!Htd'
Whereas The orders as interpreted by the officials
mere woIk a total prohibition to cut wood and lumber
hereafter wcIospecuy ask that they be instructed 10
grant MS the same privileges ana rights III the premises
as have heretofore prevailed III this and III all new Terri
Hhcrcas It is necessary in Montana to cut wood in
the Winter when the timber Il frozen, for the next
years consumption the prohibition TO cur wood Tor any
purpose as enforced WILL III another season, leave
the people without fire 70 keep them warm, ana le mus
and mines profit for want Of fuel and lumber ana
Whereas, The prohibition TO cut TIMBER ignores anu
makes ii possible TO comply with tue provisions OIlhG
preGmpuOn laws In acquiring agricultural ana mineral
lands, where lehcluG PuLInIs anu oCuup'iuS az
necessary obtain title land these cannot be done
hardship 10 emgrants VINO come expecting settle and
make homes ON the public domain III Montana, We re-
tax whatever fuel and lumber while the
! people here are struggling Tor existence ~
couuTy cut of from the tncICcs and cheap living
in the States. As well might His Majesty the King 81
| Denmark levy royalty upon the blocks OF lee win
which his subjects in Upper NayIc construct Their mum
bic dwellings hamper by taxes or lack OF Icgsh
ton the pioneers VINO out and make valuable 10
the Government OF the Unted states vast areas 81 ahd
which, without their industry and heroic struggles
| might remain unsOd ana pIOfltless forever; ana
! Whereas The tmbered lands Of Montana are mostly
unsuIyeyed and mountainous and not suitable for
tlagr they unlike those in the prairie STATES, when
need but to be cleared to make them more productive,
while found ON pfecipitous mountain hIoes,
totally without any value except Tor their rocks ana IRE
wood; and
Whereas are left without any law by which we can
either pieGmpt homestead or procure tile 10 any Imbcr
land IL is evident there must De relief ana tDa soon or
else we will be obliged to give up our homes, quit the
| country and abandon great and growing West Iof
rctrOgrade movement upon the OVercroWded coibmuh
| ties OF the East.