The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-12-01
The Mineral Land Convention to Go
Systematically at the Work
in Hand.
An Association to be Formed and
Stock Issued to Meet Neces-
sary Expenses.
Secretary Noble Requested to withhold
Final Action Until the Convention
Can Present It's Ease,

The mineral land convention met again
Yesterday morning at 10 o'clock in Encore
hall. Resolutions from Butte were read
rendering hearty support of the objects OF
the convention. Lee Mantle then read the
report of the committee on resolutions as
follows, which was adopted;
Whereas, On the 7th day Of February,
1888, the citizens of Montana met IN mass
convention at the city of Helena TO protest
against the acquisition of the Northern
Pacific Railroad COMPANY of title TO min
eral lande within the limits Of its grant in
this state; and
Whereas, Said convention adopted pre-
amble and passed resolutions setting forth
fully and forcibly all the facts and circun-
stances relating to the subject, and
Whereas, Although the facts and proofs
there gathered and submitted 10 the IN
terror department have resulted in prevent
ing the issuance of patents up to the pres
ent time. il now appears that owing to re-
cent rulings of the land department there Is
again pressing and immediate danger OF
said railroad company's acquiring such
title: therefore be it
Resolved, That this convention reafilrms
the preamble and resolutions adopted by
CITY of Helena on February Z, 1Sss, and that
in furtherance of the statements and pur-
poses therein expressed we recommend the
following
PLAN OF PROCEDURE:
1. That corporation be Immediately
formed to be known as the Mineral Land
Association Of Montana.
2. That the incorporators of SAID associa-
ton shall be the following named persons,
to-wit;
l.. H. Hershfield and Thomas Cruise, OF
Lewis and Clarke county.
A. II. Barret and VIM. Thompson, of Sill
yer Bow county.
A. II. Mitchell and Conrad Kohrs Of Deer
Lodge county.
B.F. White. of Beaverhead county.
II. o. Hickman, of Madison county.
Vining A. Cook, of jefferson county.
q. A. Wolf, of Missoula county.
David II. Folsom, of Mesgher county.
q. The object of this association shall be
10 further in every way possible the aim and
purpose of she Mineral Land Convention IN
preventing the Northern Pacific railroad
company from acquiring patents to the
mineral lands Of Montana located on the
odd sections within the companys land
grant. 81.
a. The association shall be clothed with
full power TO employ counsel; TO petition
the secretary of the interior, the congress OF
the United States, the legislature of Mon
tana and any and all other bodies or per
sons whose aid it may be necessary TO IN
woke; and in all other ways 10 do whatever
in its Judgment may be wise ana necessary
TO carry out the purposes of Its organiza-
tion.
3. for the purpose of raising the funds
necessary TO meet the expense OF said asso-
citation they are authorized 10y tins conyen.
tion 10 incorporate with capital stock OF
S5OOO0. which shall he issued in shares OF
81 each, the stock 10 be full paid and I'M
assessable.
q. The association shall at once open
books for subscription to stock and shall
designate persons in the different localities
of the state whose duty il shall be 20 circu.
late such books and secure subscriptions to
stock.
7. The association shall adopt bylaws
which shall set forth the manner ana pur-
pose of its organization, and shnll have
copies of the same printed and distributed
with such other matter as IL may ueeh
That the Mineral Land Association
shall Immediately upon its organization as
certain the most practical and effective
plan of procedure To be followed by owners
of mining locations now in danger of beng
patented 10 the Northern Pacifc railroad
company. and shall promulgate such plan
3. That the president Of this convention
is hereby authorized 20 fill any vacancies
which may occur III the list OF incorpora-
tors herewith submitted.
Resolved, That the president Of this con-
venton be. and he is hereby instructed 10
transmit 10 the president of the United
States, 10 the honorable secretary OF the in
terror 10 the commissioner OF the general
land Office and 20 each member of the
Tf..ft.1 Gtutaa aanata aud hnugq Of rpDrQgau
tatiyes copy of the proceedings of this
convention. together with a copy of the pre-
amble and resolutions adopted 10y the
former convention.
Resolved, That the president of this con.
yention be. and he is hereby instructed to
request the honorable secretary of the in
terror 10 suspend further action looking Ia
the issuance of patents upon selections of
land within the limits of its grant hereto
fore made 20 the Northern Pacific Railroad
company until the Mineral Land Rssocia-
tion can formally present It's views as 90 the
best methods by which the true character
of such lands may be determined.
Resolved. That the preservation of onr
mineral lands being n matter which effects
every citizen Of Montana. we respectfully
urge upon the Legislative assembly Of Mon.
tana the justice and the necessity of extend.
ing financial aid and moral support 10 this
movement and We especially call upon the
governor Of Montana to extend his influence
in this bohalf.
Resolved, That when this convention
adjourn. il do so subject to the call of th,
president of the mineral land convention.
Resolved. That this convention would ad-
wise the mineral land association 30 imne
diately bring before the honorable secretary
of the interior the prOpriety and the right
Of that officer 10 appoint commission h
re-examine and re-desipnate the character
of the mountainous lands included within
the limits OF the Northern Pacific land
grant, with the purpose of correcting the
erroneous designation Of such lands here.
tofore made by government surveyors and
in furtherance of this object that the asso-
ciation should employ competent attorneys
TO examine and present the law and the
rulings concerning the right und authority
of the secretary of the interior in this mat
Ter.
Resolved. That the attention of the Hon
Secretary of the Interior and Of congress il
respectfully called 10 the fact that there are
over ten thousand mineral locations al.
ready made upon odd numbered sections