The Dillon tribune., 1885-10-03
TIMBER CUTTING.

lhe cutting OF timDer on SOteTnH1c'lt
land in Montana is an important matter.
The subject has lately been agtated by the
circular issued by the Secretary of the In
terror and the sending Of special timber
agents into the Territory. In view Of these
facts we deem it opportune to acquaint the
public Of Southern Montana with the law
in relation to cutting timber on the public
domain, in order that those who have not
already posted themselves may be able to
protect their interests, and that all may be
intelllgently guided in their operations.
1t is apparent that the law as interpreted
by the Secretary Of the Interior has been
misunderstood by some Of these special
timber agents who have been entrusted
with the duty Of protecting Government
timber, and it is apprehended that consid.
cradle trouble and annoyance to settlers
will be the result. In the Secretary's cir.
cular the object Of the law prohibiting the
cutting Of timber under certain conditions
are ably and pointedly set forth. The law
may be unwise, but while it is the law Of
the land every citizen should use his infiu.
ence in favor Of the law and its just and
proper enforcement. In the meantime the
agents should SO inform themselves as to
their duties as not to harrass or annoy per.
sons who are engaged in the woods upon
slight pretexts, and without just and rea.
sonable cause. The law Of June 3, 1878,
which prevails in the States of Colorado
and Nevada, and in the Territories of New
Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Dako.
ia, Idaho and Montana, provides that all
citizens of the United States, and all other
persons, bona fide residents Of either of the
said States or Territories, are authorized
and permitted to fell and remove for build
ing, agricultural, mining or other domestic
purposes, any timber or other trees grow.
ing or being on the public lands, said lands
being mineral, and not subject to entry un-
der the existing laws Of the United States,
except for mineral purposes, in either Of
said States Or Territories. The said act
also provides that the privileges therein
granted shall be subject to such rules and
regulations as the Secretary Of the Interior
may prescribe for the "protection Of the
timber and Of the underground growing
upon such lands, and for other purposes"
According to this law and the circular reg.
ulations that have been issued under 1t on
~ bona fde residents of the Territory are
permitted to fell or remove timber, and all
such residents are confined in their cutting
to lands that are situated in portions Of the
country that are mountainous, interpreted
with gulches, canyons and narrow valleys,
, and in which minerals are known to exist
at different places. These lands, In the
, absence Of proof to the contrary, will be
held by the Department to be mineral In
character. Timber cut must not be ship
ped out Of the Territory. No timber les,
than eight inches in diameter Is to be cu
. or removed, and no timber is to be wan
). tonly wasted or destroyed. Timber ma,
!. be cut and used for domestic purposes, bu
!. not for speculation, and in this connectio,
1t may be we'll to quote the Secretary
own words, as follows: Especial agent
!, should remember that it is not the purpos
!. Of the law, nor Of the regulations Of thi
r Department to prohibit the use Of SO mucl
Of the public timber as may be actuall,
needed by bona fide settlers for agricultu
i raj purposes, but to prevent its being mad
e an article Of speculation for the recuniar
v gain Of few individuals, to the detrimen
r Of the many, or from being wantonl
;. wasted or destroyed. When an agent ur
d derstand this, and convinces the people /
a the district to which he is assigned ths
:. such is the case he will find no difficult
,, In securing their active support and co.ol
Grafton" The Secretary further says: q
is not the object Of the Government ,
l. prosecute poor woodchoppers or cutter
I'd who are employed or induced to fell or r,
ID move the timber Tor others who are
n. reap the profits therefrom; but to punis
re the principals therein, or the parties to
OF directly benefited in the case, they bei.,
is the more guilty parties" The law is beir
I'd enforced and it is reported that in porto,
p. Of the country covered by its provisio,
at the operations of the saw-mll men ha,
been summarily stopped.
o' The Coffin. makers held Convention
!! Peoria, ILL.,, recently. The Chicago IT,;