Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1885-1890, 1885-11-07
TOPICS OF THE WEEK.

TOPICS OF THE WEEK.
The anti Chinese agitation on the
Pacific coast particularly at Seattle
is assuming proportions that bodies
no good to the heather. While it is
improbable that force will be resorted
to, the quiet determination of the
masses is almost certain to accomplish
the desired end. At a meeting held
in Seattle last week fully 1000 agita-
tors paraded the streets. Speeches
were made bitterly denouncing the
territorial governor and other officials.
Resolutions were passed advising
more vigorous measures and cooper
alton, all classes to agitate, organize
and educate public sentiment to re-
move the Chinese evil. The proceed
ings were orderly, great precautions
being taken to prevent disturbance,
The Chinese arc leaving in large mum
bers.
The Montana Improvement compa-
ny's affairs have been prominently
brought before the public again, by
the disapproval by Commissioner
Sparks of the policy laid down by as
sistant, secretary jerks IN suspendlng
the suits brought against them by
the government. In the contract be-
tween tho Improvement company and
the Northern Pacific, the railroad
grants to the Improvement company
the right to cut timber on all its tim
Der lands in Montana and Idaho, sub
iect to certain restrictions. The point
made by the. government is gained
from this contract. It is claimed that
the lands are unsuryeyed mineral
lands, and that the railroad company
has forfeited all claims to the lands
by its failure to complete its line past
that point prior to July 4, 1877. An
other point is, that the lands being
unsurveyed, the Improvement compa-
ny could not possibly distinguish the
odd from the ven sections, therefore
have been cutting timber from the
public domain. Again, when the con-
tract was entered into between the
two corporations-July 2, 18S3-no
patents had been issued for the lands
by the government. The outcome
of this matter will be watched with
interest by all.
Chauncey NJ. Depew's contribution
to the political history of the country
in the matter of the controversy be-
tween General Grant and President
johnson, is being contradicted by nu-
merous authorities who held close and
confidential relations with Johnsoni in
latter years7of his life MI. Depew
declares his ability to set the whole
matter ct rest as soon as he has seen
all the contradictions to his story.
There is a feeling Of general salts
faction over the the result of Ferdi-
nand Wards trial in New York, in
which the jury found him guilty of
grand larceny. The case will I'M
d%oubtedly be carried to a higher court
where it is to be hoped the verdict
will be sustained. There is no doubt
as to Wards guilt, and it is hoped he
will receive the punishment he SO
richly merits.
Since the above was in type we no.
tice that the motion for a new trial
was oyerruled and Ward sentenced to
ten years Imprisonment in Sing Sing.
The Pioneer Press Co, of st. Paul,
we're defendants in a libel suit last
week in which the jury awarded the
plaintiff $4,000 damages. 1t strikes
us that $4,000 is a little above the
market value of the average st. Paul
denizen's reputation.
By the death of General George B.
Mcclellan. which occurred in Orange,
n. j., on Oct. 20, America has lost
another of her great war leaders, and
one whom during the early part of
the late civil war was entrusted with
the command Of the Federal army.
But that he was a capable soldier, has
never been question, but he was not
equal, or did not grasp, the opportu-
mites as thew were presented. seem