The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-16

lilies conceived the idea that sheep were
moro profitable than HiRhlanders. That
was before British sportsmen let the High
land landlords know that deer and grouse
could be made more profitable than either.
But in the period named practically the
entire shire, one Of the largest in Scotland,
acres, was depopulated. The helpless
mountainous were driven from their own
homes. and these leveled to the ground
by fire. Hundreds persisted from fright,
who had the means Of flight, or whose
friends in Canada or the States could fur
nish them the same, emigrated to America.
Tho remainder were huddled in vile cabins
along the sea-shore, and forced to escape
actual starvation BY gathering kelp and
maussles, this poor shift being finally denied
in fishing, mode of life to which they
were as much stranger as your own ten
DERBY cared for child. There is not to be
found in all history more scandalous
page OF lnRenious and supreme human
cruelty. And yet it was set down by eco
nomic writer's of tho time as great benefit
to society at large. as it cost the noble
houses Of Sutherland-Stafford over 81 ,OOO,-
600, and in the unbiased history Of Scot
tieh and English gazeteers and encyclop@-
dias a. "a notable improvement" of the
Highlands.
410 60m0 Al0Q Oh improvements IN
termittently remained in vogue, though on
lesser scale, under sanction of these old
Scottish land laws up to 9 very recent date,
in Banff, Elgin, Marin, Inverness, Cath
ness, Ross and Argyll shires and in the
Hebrides. II . landlord wished to trans
form his great holdings into sheep walks or
game .ps it was coon b1utsd about
orofters were cleared ont entirely, or sum-
marily removed to wretohed patches of un-
cultivated land, to begin anew q life OF
starvation under increased penalties Of
Iental-burdens and environment. Aside
from these cruelties it seems as though the
most devilish ingenuities in extortions and
humiliations were also imposed. After the
new croft was improved, at the termination
of the usual nineteen-year lease, additional
rental was demanded. II not paid the
croft was raok-rented, or leased to a new
tenant. The terrified crofter. rather than
den, struggled along under increasing ar
rears, and was finally evicted. securing no
compensation whatever for his improve
ments. If he entered the presence of the
factor or agent with his hat on, his hands
in his pockets, or left the door open, he was
fined. The rent of every tenant on an es-
tate has been raised because the first tenant
late. Sons on attaining their majority
could only remain upon the estate on the
written consent Of the proprietor. Crofters
were liable to prosecution for using any
road OF foot-path not prescribed by the pro-
prietor. An entire page OF this paper might
be filed with truthful recount of similar
tyrannies and grievances. But organized
agitation in behalf Of the cr0fter, similar
to that adopted by the land league in Ire
land, at last secured the concession of a row
al commission of inquiry into tho condition
Of the Highlands. Although, from the
fear of reprisals by landlords and factors
not one half the wrongs of these peonle
we're made known, condition of fhinoa
was brought to light which shocked the
country. It must also be borne in mind
that the constitution of that commission
was essentially conservative. But these dis
closures had sslutary effect. In 1885 par.
''The Crofter's Act" This fixes. by ! rov q
whose members travel from
point to point receiving evidence md mai
ing adjudicati0na, what are called stTair
rents, !" to which both proprietor ma croft
er-tenant are bound, in all Gases of croftera
paying an annual rental Of Gao or less'
The commission has also power to deal
The terrible odds against which ths..
helpless people TOR more than q century
fought for more existence Is clearly shovnn
by the outcome Of the annual prooaedinos
Of this Cfofters' commission. m JnIv 81
the present year on the estate Of Ksiss.
near Wick, the or0fters secured an avera0s
reduction Of 81 per cent; while rs mar osnt.
o. the arrears were cancelled. In The
Island Of Stroma, lying in the Psntlsnd
Firth, opposite John o'0roat'e honss. The
same reduetton and cancellation vere
made. On ooe eoGate IN Oajthneea rent
ssd1etaoos have bssn = great 8 r. -