The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-21
THE GOVERNORS MOVE
he Names Three M]ltana Msn as
Mineral Land Commission
DIXON, MERRILL AND IRWIN
He Thinks the People Should Take
a Hand In the Matter and Leads
Off With an intelligent
Letter.


special Dispatch to the Standard
HELENA. April 2O.-Governor Richards
has inaugurated a movement designed to
insure as far as possible n just classihca-
ton OF the lands embraced within the rail-
road grants in Montaua. The feeling Is
general throughout the state that II left
entirely with the recently appointed fed
eral commission. two-thirds OF whose
members do not live in the state.
the classification viii not be at all
Just or satisfactory and much litigation
will follow. The governor believes the
people should take a hand in the matter.
Ii is his idea that commission or associ-
alton be formed to collect data relating to
the land involved, which may be presented
to the federal commission. The idea Is
| only in its infancy, but the governor be-
| lieves some plan should be adopted. To
| this end this afternoon he appointed
| George w. Irwin IL, w. w. Dixon and
| Thomas G.. Merrill as commission To
meet and discuss plans as to what should
| be done. He sent the following letter TO
/ w. W. Dixon to-day and n similar one to
| the others:
| DEAR sIR:-It Is evident TO every intelligent
/ Montanan, who mas watched the course OF
/ events, that the contest over the mineral lands
| Of this state Is by no means ended. despite the
decisions OF the courts and legislation OF
favorable character. the mistaken policy OF the
| president in selecting majority OF the mem
bers OF the mineral land commission from locai-
ties wholly ignorant OF the merits and magni-
tude OF the question seriously endangers the
rights OF our people. Men destitute Oh pFactl-
cal knowledge bearing upon the matter OF min
eral lands, whose ideas have been formed In a
school OF experiences wholly different from the
conditions that VIII surround them rs members
OF commission TO classify these lands, cannot,
IN the nature OF things. deal as intelngenty with
the question as the interests OF the people re.
ouire IL Is the misfortune OF those states
directly interested In the preservation OF theli
mineral lands that their classification should bs
delegated to men confessedly ignorant OF th'
nature aud scope OF the dulles they will be
called upon TO perform.
Under circumstances OF this character sell
preservation should impel us to take such steps
| as may seem best ca culated to preserve the In
terests involved In the final settlement OF thi'
cues ion However honest may be the efforts
of ~ mineral land commissioner TO deal justly
with all concerned. we are menaced By the dan
ger OF inexperience and should govern our
: selves accordingly. To this end invite you
cooperation as a member OF a commission q
: three to formulate plans for the prosection o
, our interests should action in this drecfion b
. deemed necessary. This commission VIII con
sst OF yourself. Hon. George w. Irwin and Hon
Thomas G.. Merrill. l would suggest that yo'
! confer with George w. Irwin aud set dat
I when Mr. Merrill can visit your city and an oI
| ganiZaton be effected.