The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1886-10-06

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this country is TO be occupied and deVel-
oped, these forests to some extent nave TO
be put under tribute for various domestlc
and building purposes and uses. lt must
he further remembered that this entire re-
eion is metaliferous, and it would not pe
Wise to exclude from these forest reserVa-
tions all explorations for mines.
Owing to a lack Of knowledge, no doubt,
and our peculiar situation, and the pnr-
poses of the laws Of congress adopted lh
1878, in reference to the cutting OF timber
on mineral lands in the Rocky Mountain
states and territories, there have Deen
many seizures for violation Of law during
the past summer, and many Instructions
and Interpretations and applications OF the
law. that have generally been regarded Dy
our people as unWaranted and fatal to thelr
interest. Under the regulations since pre-
scribed by your department It IS DeleVed
that all conflict and irritation will disap-
pear. unless too restrictive an interpreta-
ton or construction is attached to the
words of the law confning its operation to
mineral lands.
GROWTH AND PROGRESS.
There are no accurate data to ascertain,
the growth of our population from year TO
year. One year ago my estimate IRON
most recent and reliable data placed our
population atfrom 100000 to 10000, and
the steady increase of the population Of our
] hn
opment of mining enterprises, and the
construction Of railroads, with a gradual
increase Of those engaged in every other
; enterprise justify the estimate that our
nermanent population has increased lO,-
900 during the year, making it now about
100. 900. Montana must depend largely
upon the development of her mines for
the permanent growth of her agricultural
interests. When her thousands of mines
of precious and useful metals are syste-
matically and proftably worked by hum
= dreds Of thousands of hardy miners, the
! home market will surely lead to the cor
responding growth of her agricultural
e population.
a RAILROADS. t*s fe.ztsas
e The question Of transportation underiles
t all others i'm the development of Montana.
+ Her products, whether of mines or stock
e ranges, are bulky and heavy. Our rivers
6 Igive some outlet for portions OF the year,
: butrailroads are more important to us and
r our industries than any other portion OF
: 1.-the United States. Already two of the
q great transcontinental lines are within the
S territory doing profitable business for US
n and for themselves. The Northern Pacific
Il has about 800 miles Of its main line with
e in the territory, and has barely begun the
n great work of building branches to the
= mining centers which can supply it with
Ii profitable business. With the coming sea
e son the main line will be completed tt
a Puget Sound, and then, in undisturbeo
: possession of its imperial land grant, i
will address all its energies and resource;
l. to the more helpful and profitable work O
i, throWing out branches. The Union Paci
n fic has branch within the territory doing
y a large and profitable business. Othel
~ railroads are on their way hither. One O
rs these, the Manitoba, will this season bs
t. on the eastern border of the territory
IS seeking right Of way across what is nov
n one vast and useless Indian reservation
% north of the Missouri river. With full
n confidence that the difficulties in the way
re of the advance will be soon removed, tina
D. company has been busily constructing
,e road bed within the central portions of tn
territory, which it hopes to connect in an
" other year with the work advancing from
d the east. Other roads are approaching
T. out northeastern borders by the way Q
lie the Black Hills through Wyoming. Witt
id increasing competition and business, gu
e people may soon expect improved rates 0
er transportation, and these, with the inevi
a. table reduction and equalization of wages
ia will render valuable thousands of mine
m now undeyeloped, and a large portion Q
- the present output of the mines that ar
now of too low grade to be remuneratiVe
METAL PROJECTS.
81 The low prevailing prices Of silver ant
Ga copper during the season have naturall.
,s checked the working Of mines and dis
st couraged the opening of new ones. Ihav
81 consulted with Mr.. Braden, assayer i
charge of the United States mint at thi
is place, and as near as can be estimated tn
N nroduct Of the mines of Montana for tn
~ past year are about as follows:
Gross value.
~ cold: Sc, 000
~ Silver . Observation-Disclosures. SO, 0G
ey Ennner .................... 100000
ed LEAD .................... ,250, ,0l
Is. Total gross value .s2s 300 oo
n There is every reason to believe that til
y products OF our mines will steadily in
q, crease from year 70 year until Montan
q. stands reliably foremost among the state
and territories as producer of the prec