The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-08-13
THE NEW TIMBER PROSECUTIONS.

The intimation We gave last week OF
renewal OF the timber di faculties in Mon
tana and elsewhere In defined this week by
the letter of instructions to the Registers
and Receivers of U. s. Land Offices ASIDE
from this we know that the Commissioner
Ia pushing matters for prosecution OF all
persons violating these instructions, and IN |
less suspension of the order can be effect |
ed speedily much trouble and expense will |
probably ensue. We notice some OF our
contemporaries suggest that case be made
in court and the decision of the Supreme
Court be had thereon but it does not ap-
pear to MS such decision can be reached
until next January, when under reasona-
bly, prompt enforcement Of the instructions
the penalties will have been visited upon
our people and great hardships will have
been worked.
While regarding this new disturbance OF
an issue that was fought over In Congress
and the Departments, and full and fair
hearing decided by law in favor Of the set
tiers, leaving only the loophols Of instruc-
tions whereby consumers could DO further
distressed; regarding it also a. great evil
to the people Of Montana and to Montana
itself, while its agitation here will DO of
no benefit to the United States or the peo-
pie thereof, we are not sufficiently informed
as to the instigation of this new proceeding
to unqualifiedly condemn the Commits
t. e.. h. har
tana il but small part of the public do
main effected by these instructions, which
are general, and 1t is probable gross viola
tions of the law and instructions elsewhere
have led to the present action, which Is for
tunately not yet pushed, OWING to an ap-
parent conflict between thela and instruc'
tions governing the Receiver and necessi-
tatinr further communication. If any old
residents Of Montana will reflect they can
call to mind destruction Of our Montana
forests that no good citizen will excuse or
defend. Doubtless moro fragrant violations
exist elsewhere or the Commissioner would
not have subjected US to the effects OF the
present order. We give the Interior De-
partrnsnt the benefit Of the doubt until 1t
| In demonstrated to the contrary.
1t seems to US the adjustment Of thus
matter may be brought about during the
visit Of Hon. Carl Schu z, Secretary Of In
terror, to Montana. As we have intimated
couple OF weeks will doubtless elapse before
action is take by the officers here. In the
meantime Secretary Schurs will have
reached Montana. He has been cordially
invited to visit the principal towns OF Mon
tana and il &C ,eptsd tho fact will soon be
made known. In that event deputation
of eminent citizens should be selected to
present the matter to him which can be
done without consuming much time, and
the personal observation of the Secretary
will confirm or disprove their representa-
tions. lit can DO shown that these in
struotions should be suspended or rescind.
ed there need be no doubt he will SO order
and the trouble be averted. Having fullest
faith In Secretary Schurz's integrity and
broad views, and believing the Commits
sioner's action will not be sustained a. re-
lates to Montana after . presentation oil
the facts, we consider the Secretary's ar
rival hero most opportune and trust the
opportunity will not be neglected.
A careful examination Of the instruc-
tions will show they are desigSed to pre-
vent speculation 10 timber and lumber and
that any person employed to cut wood for
the consumer becomes his personal agent
and within the scope Of the law. The Com
missioner does not, however, seem to give
consideration to the fact that fire wood here
should be cut year before avsilabls to the
consumer, and that ~ our Territory Il
rapidly filling up with immigration large
number of people would necessarily be
delft ont In the cold" the first winter.
Neither is it clear how seasoned building
lumber can be obtained unless six months
before needed for use the prospective build
or erects saw mill Of his own or desig-
mates some mill man his personal agent to
fell trees aud manufacture the lumber
therefor. These, and other material points,
must certainly commend themselves 10
Secretary Schurz AZ demonstrating the in
applicability Of the Commissioners instruo'
ton to Montana, and that that which il
now q mistake will become . great wrong
If persisted In. With the Supreme Court
in session and the Apportioning Board
Delegate Maginnis and many prominent At
torneys present in Helena beside tho resi-
dent officers and eminent citizens, 1t would
; appear that meeting called there on Sat.
urday Of this week might select delega
ton and have drawn up . presentation o.
! tho case that would obviate ut once thu
threatened grievance.