New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-04-04
YELLOWSTONE PARK BILL.
DEFENDING THEPROJECT FOR SETTING OFF
A CORNER FOR MINES.
THAT THE CHANGE OF BOUNDARY WILL INJURE
THE RESERVATION DENIED-THE AsSER
TON THAT NO MINERALS EXIST
THERE CONTRADICTED.

THERE CONTRADrCTFD.
| TO the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir Reading article In Harper's Weekly" for
March IL entitled "Legalized Vandalism" and signed
| A Friend Of the Park" and being one of the many
persons interested in the or failure of the pro
posed legislation in regard 10 the segregation OF
| of the Yellowstone National Park. l want to say few
words the matter. fully agree with \ Friend Of
the Park" in regard 10 It's greatness pleasure resort
and geological garden Still cannot agree with the cor
respondent OF Harpers Weekly" that the segregation
of small, unmpOrant of the park would lead
the of either Itself or Its most important pur
pose. There objects Of interest whatever the
corner In question than be found any
where else IN the Rocky Mountains and do not think
that there have been dozen persons travelling wholly
for pleasure any part Of 1t since the park
created. Az least have heard OF single one
and have been residing in that neghborhood for the
last ten years.
The article In "IIarpers Weekly" must have been
written purpose to prejudice and misead the public
or else the writer is utterly ignorant OF what he is
writing about lie says: THE evils that the passage
OF the Segregation bill threatens are: ~ The existence
of railroad in the park 1t seems to me that every
body ought be able to that trying to get
that corner OF the park segregated so that we can
get an outlet where a railroad can be constructed
without entering the park. The map he presents with
his article is also wrong and misleading The segrega
ton bin does not ask for anything at all on the side
of the river where he has got the proposed route
marked out.
a Friend OF the Park" says further in regard to
the danger threatened by the passage OF the scgrega
ton bill "2) The change OF boundary" This seems
to me be a very weak argument. He says: THE
great advantage Of the present boundary Is that II
runs Inaccessible mountain ranges, where 1t II
impossible for settlers only TO encroach upon the
park, but to come anywhere near It, Anybohy
that knows anything about the facts knows this to be
fla
contrary the present uncertainty about the exact oca
ton of the boundary lines Of the park IS Of its
greatest defects There have been Instances where
hunters have been caught killing game but the onicials
did not dare TO arrest them because they were not
suro whether they inside the boundary lines OF
the park or not. II Yellowstone River and Soda
Butte Creek made the boundary line there couid
be no donbt about its exact location.
The third argument brought forth by-"A Friend OF
the Park is as weak as the first two. Tho park, no
doubt was created TO preserve the natural wonders
and curiosities and to protect the game "itmh us
borders and not for the acreage OF surface ground
Hence 4 Friend OF the Parks graphic description
and comparison OF the vandalism OF 1873 and That
contemplated to-day Is simply ridiculous. His asser
ton that the proposed cutoff Hes in close proximity
IN some OF the rarest cunositles In the park sounds
rather strange people that have been living In That
vicinity for years and know the facts. Ills fouHh
argument is the only one that there might be some
reason in VIZ: "The peTnciOus precedent TINS esib
ushedn lie has been considerate enough TO mafh
out natural route for the extension OF the Union
Pacific to Butte City. I that have never been
over that route but have doubts about there
being even possible foute. Besides that wouu
take IL right through the centre OF the most important
part OF The park, where most OF the geysers are
situated. Tho proposed cutoff On the other hAho' Is
far away from the geysers or any other OBJECT Oh
interest In the park. The Grand Canon Is inc near
est, and that Is many miles on
That Friend Of DC Park" IS not likewise a
friend Of the poor and oppressed Is evident OS iS
remark about the great railway system ana inc Pe''y
mining town. Ii would be a shame In Ills esu
nation for Congress 10 relieve lot OF poor struggling
miners and prospectOrs, who have been waiting ana
PRAYING for relief the last ten years. and VINO are
still praying Congress for relief by having small, ui
Important corner contains objects OF Interest
whatever cut of the park, and then 70 deny great
raway syndicate, that has millions to back is
prayers, n right to build their road right IN among
The ccysers you might say, that would be Injustice
indeed
"A Friend OF the Parks" assertion that there are
no mineral deposits OF any great value In tho New
World mining district Is hardly worth an answer
Their value is too well known and too generally con
coded among mining mel OF experience, 10 lose any
OF their good reputation By false statement made by
a person who evidently does not know anything oil
what he Is writing about 1t Is safe thing to say mat
no mining exert WHO knows his business and VIII
state his opinion fairly will say, after examining mo
New World mining district, that 1t has not good
show To make OF tho greatest miulnG camps N
the West 1t Is an old tale that wa: Dd umc ana
soin en- the early history Of Butte CITY, Granite aud
dozens Of others OF The best mining camps IN the
Net that they had mines OF any value. lime
has told different tale ana ume ana capita. VIII sho%
that the people who say that there ar no VainHUie
mines in the New World mining district are just hs
badly mistaken those who said - about butte oly
A Friend Of the Park says In regard 10 tho
mineral deposits Of the New World mining hlstrlcJ'
That they OF great valuc Is conclusvey proven
di slant and practicable lines OI approach OuI'o
the limits OF the park, II has never been ioiid h
lad said possible routes Instead OF "Pra,euc"oc ne
would have come nearer the truth. fe,IlPs a. in ,
any way tho construction and operation OF 'ucn a
road would require the expenditure OF such az eHor
nous amount 81 money that none OF the LA =,
railroad companies Will be willing to t'Ae holn OF ~
can DO nothing but sit and wait III
their time comes, or eSs 8" long for. The
only hope that sustains now is that Congress may
act favorably upon the Segregation 6lll tne mem
bers Of Congress couia put md ,ear with which We
are watching this measure they cotud aet omIS ,~o
way. II they knew or could lns s,u %1SS 70 hod
on 10 and develop mining properties hopnS tid'
Congress would ultimately relieve us Dy gr anmng us
an outlet. they would surely nave sone Wn,pso ons
With MS II thew knew or could Imagine what IL means
Tor men TO spend ten fifteen or twenty years "a
The best part Of their I've dse pace HS or
Intercourse WITH tho whole world, they would surrey
have some compassion, and grant us what we Dr.
Ionde az soon as we get outlet but before Congress
grants MS that can do nothing we can ohH
wait till next year and renc% t.e s,r"eg n ANIL rannd
afford 10 give up now aitcr Pu'unE 20 mrcr ~
s.. Paul Mimi, March 90. 1902