The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-01-16
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE MI
MING LAW.
A Series Of Changes Suggested by Hon. VIM. II.
ns04. 8 ciagett. ... ..

When Mr.. Clagett was delegate from |
Montana he had considerable influence in |
framing. In fact, drafted to large ex-
tent, the present United States mining
law. His frankness In stating this, and
his courageous sincerity in avowing his par
ticipation in framing, and approval OF, the
the section requiring annual development
of lodes In order to retain possessory title
then most unpopular measure in Mon
tana-doubtless lost him enough votes to
defeat him at the next election. But ut
the time the present law was enacted there
was enough opposition to certain points
developing itself just as Eastern sentimen-
tai ignorance now develops itself when
better methods in the Indian service are
suRgested--to defeat the bill az the Repre-
sentatives and Senators from the mining
regions wished 1t to pass. Some OF these
points, aud others that observation OF the
practical working Of the law has suggested
10 him to be desirable amendments to the
law now on the statute books, he has pre-
pared bill amendatory thereof which will
probably be submitted TO Congress at this
session. One of the principal features, and
that which Mr.. Clagett is now most partic-'
ularly interested in as mining attorney
and mine owne-, in the Black Hills, is that
amending section five 80 a. to class all
lodes having dip OF less than zoe as
placer ground but there are several Other
important changes suggested which COM
mend themselves and have general effect.
Following Ia synopsis Of the bill as pub
lished in the Black Hills Journal. We
publish Ii for the consideration of Montana
miners, and We trust persons competent to
discern the merits or dement's Of the seve-
raj amendments suggested will comment
On or discuss them through the press. 1t
Is 1 subject Of pre-eminent Importance in
Montana and our Delegate should have the
benefit OF practical, intelligent opinion
| from his constituents when Q change of
| the present mining law comes before Con-
gross. The amendments strike MS favora-
| bly,, bat our columns are preferred to all
! intelligent discussion without regard to
| the views OF the writer.
" 1st. Section 1919 amended by making
.any person Whatsoever eligible 70 pur-
j chase mining property after patent Issues.
i "a. Veins 70 be limited In extent TO
/ 1000 feet in length and 300 IN width.
Sd, Ore body must actually be disclosed
IN discovery shaft not less than ten feet
in depth notices posted substantially Is
i now provided the discoverer TO have forty
days from posting notice ~ sink discovery
shaft and sixty days from posting notice TO
4 make record, location notice TO include
AFFIDAVIT Of locator, establishing the Coma
fsdss before record, and false affidavit TO
4 subject to prosecution for perjury felony
70 change o. remove notices or stakes fraud
ulsntly.
4th. Claimants own affidavit Sufficient
proof Of citixenship. .2V8i
9th. Ali public lands containing valna-
bic mineral deposits In other forms than IN
vsins or lodes, ard also veins or iodcs CON-
tanning such deposits but having . dip or
inclination of 2Uo or less aforesaid, ahali- DO
cIassed as plaOeY ground. ~
i 9Th. W here the side lines OF ; mining
claim shall on the. surface or when ex-
. landed downward, divide the top OF apex
OF : vein or lode ID its longitudinSl course,
the prior locator shall have tbs entire vsin
Of lode beLeath tho surface Tor such portion
OF its length . any portion Of In apex
n ahall To within the aide lines ~ cxtened.
tn. On. each location Of : mining
1claim, regardless Of tho sixe Of such claim,
and until payment Cor the same shall BE-
!, made h The proper United 6tatea land Of
! I oee On implication for patert thcrsfor, not
less thea teu feet 81 shsftina or tunnsling
nhnl1 ~ dono cash yosa from The date Of