The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-01
TO AMEND MINING LAWS.
The Bill introduced by Senator Stew
art is Not Satisfactory
to Carter.
Some of tho Provisions Of the Ne
vada Statesman's New
Measure.
The Morrill, Service Pension Bill Passed by
the House ~ . Substitute for
the Senate BILL.

WARRINGTON, April 30.-[Special. j. Soma
tor Stewart early in the session introduced
bill to amend the mining laws. This
bill has been pending before the COMMITTEES
on mines and mining for four months, and
is now reported with amendments. 1t
makes little difference whether the bill as
reported passes the senate or not. It will
not pass the house. Representative Car
ter, who is chairman of the house commit
tee, says that Stewards bill omits many
essential features, and he is now drafting a
bill with great care, which will be intro-
duced and printed and circulated among
the miners of the states and territories.
They may then pass upon it and offer sug-
gestions, and later in the session the bill
may be taken up and amended, if neces-
sary, and passed..
Stewards committee has favorably acted
upon the bill, and it will doubtless pass the
senate. The first five sections Of the exist
ing law are not changed by Stewards bill.
Section 1924, revised statutes, is amended
by compelling locations to be marked by
posts or monuments. The same rights of
marking the claims attach upon payment of
fee and the issue of certificates as upon the
issue Of patent upon claims located prior to
May 10, 1872. Where corporation holds
several claims together there is no require
ment for separate labor on each claim, pro-
viding an amount sufficient for all is ex-
pended upon one of the claims. Further
provision is taken in regard to the publica-
tion Of claim notices.. Section 1926 is
amended by adding, that no more than
three thousand feet in length along the
vein of claims located before May 10,
1872, and not more than the extent Of if
teen hundred feet in length by six hundred
feet in width located after said date. shall
be included in the same application for q
patent. and not more than forty acres of
placer ground shall be included in the
same patent"
To section 1886 is added proviso that
the presence Of rocks in places bearing
gold, silver, cinnabar or other valuable
metals shall be regarded as evidence that
the land containing the same is mineral in
character. Section 2837 is amended to pro-
vide that non>mine1al land, when used Tor
milling or mining purposes, may be in
cluded in lode claim. The next section
provides that rights-of-way shall be pre-
served to all other mines where necessary for
marking.
Special Agent Maginnis, who recently
visited Washington state in the interest of
the postal service, has returned and is
making his report to the department..
Many changes in the service in all parts of
the state will be recommended and several
which have been adopted by the depart
ment will take effect July 1st. The depart
ment will appoint two residents of the
state to act as special agents of the govern
ment in mail matters. It will be their bu-
siness to watch the growth of the cities and
towns and the facilities for travel and
transportation and from time to time make
recommendations for changes in the SER
vice. The work inauguarated by Mr.. Ma
ginnis is only starter toward perfecting
the service in the state.