The new North-west., 1890-03-07

In another place we present a synopsis
of the opinion of Judge Sawyer, condensed
from the full text, which will show the
mining men of Montana what may be ex
pected regarding the odd numbered sec
tions within the grant of the Northern
Pacific railroad company. If this opinion,
which seems to be supported by the deci-
sions of the Supreme Court, is sustained,
there are very few, if any, mines dis
covered i'll the odd-numbcrcd sections
within the limits Of the railroad grant in
Montana that can be held by the parties
locating them or their grantees. In truth,
if this opinion is the law, miners have no
right whatever to go upon these lands for
the purpose Of exploration, and are tres
passcrs if they do.
The legal status or the question is with
the railroad company, and the sooner the
miners recognize the fact and dance to the
music, the better for them. If they stand
idly by with folded arms, thinking that all
will come out right, they will be badly
mistaken. Abusing the railroad company
is so much breath wasted. If the lands
belong to the company under the law as
now construed, it will have them, and that's
the end of it, and We might as well believe
the world is coming tn an end us to think
otherwise. The company would be doing
no more than an individual would do under
the same circumstances
This is preliminary to some remarks
concerning the Mineral Land Association
! of Montana. This organization was inror-
porated for certain specific objects one Of
the main objects being the procuring Of
Congressional Legislation aiding the miners
in the fight for the mineral lands as against
the railroad company. This is worthy
object if the cause is worthy.
In order to obtain legislation from Goa
gress in a cause like this, there must he
organization and that organization must
have money. Considering the purposes of
the Mineral Land Association, is is surprs
ing the lack Of support which it is rccciv
ing. 1t starts out with 10000 shares of
stock at 81 per share, and yet with all the
work Of the Secretary, Mr.. Merrill, less
'At'''' ''''' ."ie '.N. = 80 -, ',
p1ese,V -. 80 - - go 49,
""'' s''N " - -"
on'e so'''o'' 'ii'A ''ts - 'oiiaiu'teu "
| many men who have had practical expe,
iie'iee ~ 'o.''iii's 'si7'i'toii ii'i'i Nol'
sitss 90 te"''s q 1885, ~ - W.
| h''l'' 4''''e'''oi .'"' Nc'S H'eie IL
| known about this question in the East
u'il' 'i'inio' ''ieis mus. De eu"e".eo
49, -. auD''Ns' = 80 80 i,.o,'. 80
'''i WIN 'nliuenee \ 'sls 1ess' Al' s'.'s 'oSss
% %iiones' - e"''st 80 l''sSiois hius
" eAeie'seu :" "" "o'o'n5 t'i" 'li"ltins
u t'ie itS Sisi"'''n i.lu'it''' an" NV ''p'es
ieSat 'ate''s ~ 49, it'eo ''''tes il'uss .
e'h'ios -. 'oi ''i's '''l'os'' anu ''i!s ~ 'h'
- 80 i'''. less 49, ,io''l -
~ '"e''.s 'n,'s"''a uoii''s' nei ''''
| pioposcu III" - lol''ultte" an" iiitiosuee'
III co'siess' 'he'' WIZ eoiiie nv hsit' iA'
| lieii'oeis VI N'ns'ess must "'s et''lc'''e'
upon ms sopJee' anu ill'le u ''loels'ah'
IT, me lel'e9e'i'''''se' VI 'le f"'i''a'
! company interests WIZ oher amendments
"liicl afeaPl'''leht'S III la'ol Vi me MINERS
| ana asa'risl lle coilpahS' 'l'PSe amend
mehtS must DC oele"te'l' i"f 'heN WIZ ~
ollereu i'i tlic very purpose VI lii'hilS
Ia" 'ha' "lii no' s,"n.' 'n' s"''''lo,i Vi 'h'
l I 7