The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-02-08
The NINE RAL LANDS,

Great and important interests are at stake
The mineral lands Of Montana represent a very
large percentage OF the material wealth OF the
state, and OF right these lands are the rightfu
heritage OF the people. The house of repre-
sentatives at Washington has so decided In the
passage OF the Dixon Hartman bill; the SUI
preme court has decided that the railroad com.
pany has no right to these lands. In view OF
this decision the railroad company can have no
legal claims to such lands, and can therefore
have no kick coming should it fail to get posses
sion OF them All the legal rights of this com
pany should be espected and guaranteed. but
its claim TO the mineral lands of the state is not
one Of them iUinDStYn Post.
Senator Power has lost no time upon his re
turn To Washington In effort to save the
mineral lands OF the state from the rapaci of
corporate greed. lie at once resumed his eff
forts TO pass the bill for the classification of
mineral lands within the limits OF the Northern
Pacific grant. lie is hopeful OF securing the
passage of the house bill before the adjourn
ment OF congress and has been assured that no
more patents will be issued to these lands while
the present congress is in session. - tuin0ston
Enterprise.
Since our last issue a WASHINGTON dispatch
announces that Senator Power has received as
surances that no more patents will be issued the
Northern Pacific Railroad company to lands In
Montana during the present session OF congress
Mr.. Power has resumed his efforts to get
through the senate the bill already passed by
the house for the proper claS sifcaiion of the
mineral lands and Is houeful of success Should
Senator Power accomplish this result IL would
be a browning glory OF his many useful acts on
behalf of his constituency and all Montana
would delight to do him honor As IL is he has
rendered the state great service IN checking
temporarily the Issuance of patents to lands
rightfully the property Of the people.-Billn0s
Gu.cttc.
h0 faLa nv
prevent the Issue of patents to the Northern
Pacific for large tracts of land In this county. as
well as In Madison and Gallatin, is a step in the
right direction. He should be rendered all pos
sbe assistance by the people OF these counties
In this effort to prevent the mineral lands EN-.
braced in these seieetions from passing TO the
possession Of the company.-Lirin0ston Enter
prise.
Idaho is interested with Montana in the fight
against the North IN Pacific as to the mineral
lands Its state legislature has commended the
Hartman bill In a memorial to tbs United states
senate.-Bosem IN Ardnt Courier.
As to mineral lands. Well as our government
is now divided into four branches-eNecutiye
legislative, judicial and HOke Smith, the least
said about mineral lands the better-Mlssoitid
Democrat.
The legislative assembly has by Joint resolu-
ton authorized the governor to employ special
legal assis ance 10 prevent the Northern Pacific
from securing patents TO lands in this state for
which the company has m de application. It
would seem that this is wise and a proper
move. IL Is matter that interests the state
and the citizens thereof and the expenses should
be paid out OF the general fund As the Fri
buuc understands the situation the raj road has
fled It's application for patents for lands in the
several counties of the state setting forth the
land claimed, and these applications are omen
To contests by individuals or communities
should contests be entered they will NJ Ioas,
have the effect OF delaying the issue OF patents
and this should be done in the hope that CON
gresS VIII take the matter in hand and pass the
much needed pending bill. providing for a Gas
sihcation of the lands before any patents are
issued Whatever is to be done should be done
quickly. and the governor will do well To lose no
time in putting the resolution into effect .-Gre1t
Fails Tribune.