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

20 much so that one or two of our largest !
mining companies have closed down their !
mines. Fortunately, however. the con-
,inuea fall of the market value OF silver
has had quite the opposite effect from that
expected by the ssgold bugs" and the enc
mics of silver; it has made rather than
lost friends. The depreciation Of the mar
ket value of silver bullion has been follow
ed closely by decline in the market value
of wheat, and all other products that are
brought into competition in the markets OF
the world, with the products OF India,
where wheat is purchased with silver, ex-
ported and sold for gold, and in turn silver
is purchased with the gold-a fact that has
awakened deep interest throughout the
western states. And the necessity of free
coinage Of silver with gold is becoming
daily more evident, as that would at once
enhance the value of silver bullion. The
United States and territories produce about
one-half Of all the silver that is produced
in the world, over one-half of which is
throw upon the markets of the world.
Keep this out of the markets by coming it
for use here, and inevitably the price
would increase. If it did not it would be
the first instance where the withdrawal of
the accustomed supply of any article from
the markets of the world failed to appre-
ciate that article. s..%z s4s.47zr ..5Bg
It is claimed by the owners and con-
trollers of gold that if the government of
the United States would demonetize silver
and stop its coinage, it would in time force
the other nations to agree upon the rela-
tive value Of gold and silver and adopt bl-
metalism, which would, Of course, en-
hance the value of silver. It is possible
this might follow, but how long it would
require no one knows-certainly from five
to ten years, probably much longer. In
the meantime what would be the market
value Of silver, and what would become Of
wheat, cotton and other products that are
directly affected by the market value OF
silver? If our country, which produces
half that is produced in the world, discards
and degrades silver as money it would OF
itself greatly damage the market value.
Add to this the fact that tWenty-four mill
Ilions now coined and kept out Of the mar
kets would be thrown upon them, and i
seems to me inevitable that the result
would be a fearful depreciation of the val.
ue of silver, enhancement OF. gold, and
consequently sponding depreciation
Of all commodities, followed by general
disaster and financial trouble. Hence
not only renew my former recommends
tions, but request for the continued coin.
age of silver, but for its free coinage.
CoEUR D'ALENE COUNTRY.
Considerable interest is felt among tht
people of Montana for the annexation of !
small and narrow portion of the so-callee
Panhandle of Idaho. 1t is separated from
Idaho by almost insurmountable natura
, barriers, and is united to us by nature ant
strongest ties of community Of tastes, Gus
toms and interests. It is wholly mining
region settled largely by former resident
of Montana, and developed largely b.
Montana capital. The people living ther
almost unanimously desire connection
with us. They feel that their interest
will be more literally fostered by GU
laws. While we have an area ample t.
? satisfy our highest ambition for the future
we G an not shut our eyes or close our ear
! to a demand so clear and strong, beneficia
and agreeable to all parties, rightfull
{ concerned in interest.
INDIAN RAIDS AND RESERVATIONS.
Between the reservations north of tn
e Missouri, and still more from tribes in tn
: British possessions and the Grow reserya
9 ton in the southwestern part Of our terri
: tory, continually raids are being mad
7 back and forth through settled portion Q
4 Montana, for the purpose OF stealing Q
+ under the pretext of reclaiming stole
I horses. If unsuccessful in getting India
: horses, they have little scruple in taking
/, those of our settlers, and in either even
5 all of such parties subsist by killing tn
4 cattle Of our settlers, as there is no game
E is a heavy tax that our people ough
!. not to be compelled to bear, and will no
always patiently submit to, no matte
what the consequence. It must be evi
: dent from very little consideration that
: will not be polite to create any permanen
e Indian reservations, on or near the borde
9. line, that Indians can commit these depre
8 dations on either side and escape 50 readi
8 " from their pursuers. lnternationa
e difficulties will necessarily ensue, SO te
dious and unsatisfactory, as well as trou
% blesome and expensive. 7 hope this fac
Q Q will be impressed upon the members Of th
o commission appointed to negotiate for tn
% reduction Of the reservations and the SET
e llement of the Indians in seVeralty.
i tho Tpaians could he indunad tn un tn kh