The Mineral argus., 1886-04-08

Proceedings "r their Meeting Held on
the lst Inst.

EDITORS MINERAL ARGUS.
As per call the Lower Judith Wool
Growers Association met at the resi-
dence Of Hon. james Fergus, Thurs
day, April 1st, 1886.
The attendance was large and con-
siderable enthusiasm manifested. Nj.
+. p. Chandler was elected president,
David Hilger, secretary; II. Blanchard,
Treasurer, and w. II. Peck member
Of the executive committee.
A programme was arranged for dis
cussion including the vexed ques-
ton of "Taritf," which drawed forth
some eloquent outbursts Of oratory,
wit, numOr, and enough scarcasm to
season the discussion. A resolution
was offered to the effect "That the best
interests of this country are served by IA
high protective Tariff This resolution
was lost. Another was then offered To
the following effect: "That the best in
terests Of this country are served by
protective tariff" An amendment was
offered to strike out the word "protect-
i've" and insert in lieu thereof the word
moderate" which was carried and the
resolution as amended was then adopt
ed.
Another question Of equal impor-
tanco to the industry was discussed,
viz: "Division of ranges" 1t is well
known fact that the range is getting
crowded which will continue to in
crease and cause disputes as to range
privileges in the near future. The fol-
lowing resolution was passed with two
dissenting votes: Resolved, that when
a difference of opinion exists between
the members of this Association con-
cerning the rights to the range, and
such difference cannot be amicably
settled by the contesting parties, it is
advised that the same shall be settled
by arbitration, each party selecting one
arbitrator and the president the third;
said arbitrating committee shall pro-
ceed to hear all the evidence, obtain
all the facts, and decide the lines
on the principles of right and jus
tice, and such decision shall be final
between the parties"
The subject Of transportation CON-
panies occupied about one hour. The
secretary was instructed to correspond
with the different transportation com
panies and ascertain the facilities Of
fered and freight rates from Montana
to seaport points; also to correspond
with Utah Wool Growers Association
which has made it practice to ship
wool jointly, and had a representative
to sell the same, and ascertain if it is
an advisable scheme.
"The future of wool-growing in Mon.
tana," was exhaustively discussed.
Following is an extract from the socre-
tary's remarks on the subject:
''The most important question now
before us is will an investment in sheep
ut present pay u reasonable dividend?'
To which | will positively sfy yes.
There is more money in the sheep
business to-day than ever before as far
AS this territory is concerned. And
why? Sheep can be bought :,,:I pei
cent lower than some two or three
years ago; prices of commodities have
fallen from % to 10 per cent We have
no diseases to encounter that we can
nf
learned how to provide for them-nec,l
take no chances, and can make the in /
vestmept cminently secure. ! know
from experience that the net average
Of wool money is greater to-day, per
capita, than some years ago. This j. :
greatly due to intelligent breeding, and
it is "A common assurance for an aver
age band Of stock sheep To shear an
average of seven pounCs, which. sold
at eighteen rnts, would bring dollar
and tyenty-six cents. Let "a, 90 bacl, (
!, few years when scab accompanied Z
sheep in IA majority Of casrs. and ar
average of five pounda wa. considered
good, and this sold at twenty-five cents
would aggregate dollar aud twenty
five cents, Or about the same a. at pre- I
sent, and leaving the advantage Of eN-
perience, depreciation and reduction ol
commodities and wages in favor of tie
present. To IA person wishing to in
vest there was never a more fayorahi,
opportunity than ut present"
A great improvement was noticed in
oratory on the part Of the several
members, also in parliamentary H.
ages. The meeting WAS harmonious
and well conducted, and while we can
80. undertake tt review ~ -r;'t -,