The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-12-28

averages high, despite occasional bad win
tiers. It is a business unique IN its way a
daring investment that can be regulated by
good sense : a free and noble calling.
Where there are many cattle owners in q
district, some controlling herds numbering
thousands, and others just starting with a
modest hundred Or two, dissatisfactIon and
confusion is apt to ensue. The necessity OF
attending to his cattle compels the small
owner to follow all round-ups. Not infre-
quently the large owners calculate on the
force thus brought into the field, and send
far less than their just proportion OF help,
whereby their annual expense per capita OF
stock is much less than that incurred by
small dealers. The only remedy possible is
to form district associations, through whose
action 81 equitable representation in the
handling Of cattle will be insured. Where
many herds range together, the owners, from
the necessities of the case, are forced into q
sort of partnership in which they share the
vicissitudes Of the business in proportion to
their stock. All realize this, and IN some dis
trlcts associations nave been formed. 1t is
found that in devising rules for the conduct
of affairs on the range, many men have
many minds" In fact it may be said that
some men have no minds, but only a single,
pivotal idea-that Of Standardization
impels them to oppose plans that would cor
rect o present abuse. and insure additional
future profit. For the benefit Of all concern
ed, especially for the beginner with small
means, it is to be hoped that district associa-
tons can be formed everywhere, and made
TO work tremendously. If that cannot be
brought about, it may be accepted as an as
sured fact, that cattle raising on the western
plains will, q few years hence, pass into the
hands Of large capitalists. The ranchmen
will be eliminated from it, except as concerns
stock for domestic uses. Il is daily becom-
ing more difficult for q man Of small means
to engage in it. Every year the area to be
covered in round-ups increases, with labor
and expense to small owners in like ratio.
AS agriculture extends, the water courses on
the present ranges will be fenced in. Sheep,
which follow in the wake of cattle,
will multiply. and still further restrict the
range. Then, as usual, the cattle men will
have to make a new frontier. AS pioneers
OF civilization they are not fairly appreciated
nor do they receive adequate protection
from the government against the Indians,
who seem to be fostered for the especial pur-
pose Of depressing industry in the West.
Our Delegate to Congress should be select
ed with reference to his ability to force this
matter upon the attention of the government.
AS the time Of our august national officials is
chiefly spent over subsidies ard psrcelling
out offices, we can scarcely expect relief from
that source. By enacting measures that
would benefit a large community, the APPROX
al Of their consciences would be their only
reward. Perhaps our Territorial Legislature
could devise a law, that would sanction set
tiers in protecting their property against pre-
datory redmen. If not, the necessary steps
should be taken by the stockmen On their
own responsibility. Natural law is higher
than the statutes. It would only require 8 re-
spectacle following Of r~esolute men, to con
vince the disreputable government Of that.
His accidency, Arthur, in his message informs
US that Sitting Bull has surrendered, and In
dian troubles are at an end ; and that he has
instructed military officers to avoid collisions
with marauding reds from over the line. We
who live in q region afflicted by this race fit
only for extermination, are the best judges
of the circumstance and requirements.
The cattle interest of Choteau county
alone represents more thar 3 million dollars.
IL properly protected it will soon increase
to five times that sum. No State or Territory
Of the West is as well adapted as Montana
for the prosecution of this industry, which
has become worldwide in Importance. Our
Territory is favored with more plentiful nu-
tritious grasses, it is better Watered; the topo-
graphy Of the ground IS such that shelter al
most as good as artificial is afforded cattle IN
storms the climate is dry, bracing, and ex-
cepting at long intervals, more benign in
winter than that OF the middle tier OF States.
These natural advantages cannot fail to at
tract . large immigration. The thrift and ia
telligence Of the people will soon insure 1t
being madea State, and it will loom up bright
II among it's sister stars in the constellation,
wearing the triple crown Of mining, agricul-
ture, stock-saising.
PERSONAL.
--@ @#&8
The narfu rho On Sunday Dacnmhar 9th took q