The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-02
withous trespassins on the public

PIC WteHous "GbpNunAhk oh shS PN~
domain.
In June, 1892, a trusted clark of the gem
eral land office was detailed for duty IN
Montana, and last July two other clerks
were appointed special agents and are now
on duty in this state. These gentlemen are
intelligent, good fellows. and are warm
friends Of Mr.. Carter. They have been via
iting mostly in Gallatin and Missonla
counties. w. ii. SMead. the lumherman,
was nominated by the republicans OF Mis-
lature. and 4. j. Lynde, the Bozeman lum-
herman, was nominated by the republicans
of (~iallatin county for legislative honors.
Thomas II. Carter has an eye on the
United states senate. IL Montana elects a
republican legislature this fall Col. Sanders
will not succeed himself. In that event
Mr.. Carter will be the next United States
senator from Montana. Mr.. Carter mas APP
parently been trimming his sails for this.
When Gov. Toole was in Washington
laborinR in the interest OF Montana state
lands he conferred with Commissioner Car
ter, Secretary Noble and President Harri-
son. The governors object WAS to get an
order for the selection. by the proper state
officials, of eighteen townships of land.
The government, in the act admitting Mon
tsna, coded to the state for different pur-
poses something more than 100000 acres of
land. Gov. Ioole succeeded in getting the
order for the eighteen townships. or. In
other words. after the contract surveys OF
1892 would be made and the lands adver-
tised for entry the state officials, under
that order, would have a prior light of
thirty days to select sufficient land to COM
prise eighteen townships. There are several
Surveys being made this season in the Flat
head country. Reeder n Helmick had 4
contract to survey fourteen townships
along and north Of the saltwater river.
This large tract, and that east of the Still
water, which is being surveyed. Is excellent
timber land and would be of great value to
the state. 1t was the intention of the au-
tholities to select the eighteen townships
in this region, bus atter Mf. carter iealneo
this he changed his mind and was lnstru-
mental in having the order for the selection
of eighteen townships cut down to six.
To further illustrate Mr.. Carter's lib
eral and generous land %policy:'
Early in 1891 parties living in the upper
Bitter Root valley complained to the WASH
ington authorities of extensive timber cut
ting by the Bitter Root Developments com
pany in that region, and in May. 1891. the
special agent was instructed to employ a
competent surveyor and assistants and in
vestigate the matter at once. 1t was found
that this company had cut about 100000
feet of timber. For a short time there was
considerable diminishing at the general
land office, and much indignation was OK
pressed. The laws should be enforced. and
all manner of things were to be done. The
war, metaphorically speaking. was to be
carried to the very gates of Carthage. The
logs, which were piled at the proposed mill
site at Hamilton, were to be seized, or Q
s~uit-in-detinue be begun, and a suit for
damages for the full! value of the timber
was also part Of the programme. United
States Attorney Weed waited patiently for
orders, but none came. After a while the
excitement subsidized and peace relQned.
The affair would call to mind a selection
from the works of that celebrated author
ess, Mrs. Goose, whom she portrayed the
army that marched up the hill and then
marched down again. M. j. HALEY.