The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-01-25
A CHAT WITH THE COMMODORE
In Regard to Some Of the Important
Needs of this Section.
The Value Of the River to Benton and
Northern Montana.
And q Brief Reference to a Certain Cor.
gressional Boom.


/ gressionaI Boom.
! Mr.. I. G. Power arrived in Benton from
Helena on Saturdays coach, and will remain
several days overseeing the extensive bust
ness affairs Of the house of T. G.. Power &
Bro. at this place. Mr. P is one cf the best
known business men of the Territory and is
| thoroughly familiar with the wants of this
| particular section of the same, where he is
most extensively interested On Monday af-
ternoon RIVER PRESS representative invad-
ed the privacy of the counting room and had
a very interesting conversation with Mr.
Power: in the course of which we cleaned
some valuable opinions and Information. By
way of introduction, we might state that Mr..
P. has the greatest possible faith in the fu-
| ture greatness of Benton and tributary coun-
| try, including Barker, the most promising
new mining camp in the West.
''For years" said Mr.. Power, Il have
been impressed with the fact that Benton, be-
ing the head of navigation on the river and
| the natural commercial center of large area
of excellent country, would develop into q
large and prosperous town, and see no rea-
son at this time to change my opinion, but
much to confirm it. A great deal, however,
can be done to hasten this growth ane devel-
opment."
ssWhat would you suggest p we asked.
"Well, something might be done to adver-
tise the country and its varied resources
better mail facilities would be an incentive to
settlement; the Indian and military reserva-
tions should be cut down to proper limits,
and above all Of these in Importance is the
improvement of the Missouri river, the great
channel upon which must depend the devel-
opment of Northern Montana" A@F :
Delegate Maginnis has introduced several
bills in the House looking to reduction of
Montana reservations do you think he will
get them through p
II hope SO. There is neither sense nor JUS
tice in setting apart such large area for In
dians when the latter have no use for it what
ever. AS rule military reservations are
much too large, Fort Assinaboin being case
in point. The Indian reservation north of
Benton is one of the finest countries under
the sun, and should be thrown open TO settle
ment at once 1t would be paradise for
stockmen, and for the ranchman as we'll. |
hope Delegate Maginnis will urge this mea-
sure with all of his ability, and the people
of Benton should lend him whatever assist
ance is in their power. 1t is too often tho
case that our Delegate is not properly backed
up at home in measures of reform or relief
that the people are vociferous in demanding.
A little encouragement in the way of petit
tions and friendly letters, giving data, ETC.,
have considerable influence at times"
"And now about the river ?"
':That's the important matter Give us a
good channel to Benton and all other benefits
will naturally follow. Just at this time when
the railroads in the Territory are s'pooling
their issues and railroad monopoly is staring
us in the face, the importance of the Mis-
souri, river to Montana becomes apparent.
1t is natures transportation line, and for all
time to come will play an important part in
the development Of the great Northwest. The
growth of Benton and Northern Montana
may be attributed to the river, and as that
stream is improved and made more easy of
navigation they will take more rapid strides
in the way of progress. =
what is needed in the way OF improve
ment?" asked the reporter.
SIN the first place, money! liberal apprc-
priation by Congress. AS matter of fact,
but little work has been done on the upper
Missouri. Last year Delegate Maginnis Sc
cured an appropriation of $500 but it
was expended, frittered away, without bene-
fitting the river to an appreciable extent. The
engineers were required to purchase boat
and machinery, and owing to the unfaVorable |
season were prevented from accomplishing
anything in the way of improvement. Now
their boat is at Bismarck and ready to put off |
at day 8 notice. What money is appropri
ated can be used to advantage and greatly to
the benefit of the channel"
'.How much is needed z"
ssEvery cent of hundred thousand dol
Iars. The Importance of the upper river
and the rapidly increasing business upon the
same will fully warrant such an appropria-
ion. That amount Of money properly ex-
pended would make great improvement in
The river and add probably month to the
average boating season. The result would