The Ravalli Republican. [volume] (Stevensville, Mont.) 1894-1899, 1896-03-25
AND NOW IT'S VEST
Who puys His Respects to Cleveland
4 La Hartman.

Who puys His Respects to Cleveland
La Hartman.
In thC>senate last Wednesday an
animated controversy arose over the
resolution Of Mr.. Cannon directing
Secretary Smith to execute the law
for the public opening of the Uncom.
pahgrc Indian reservation, Utah.
Mr.. Cannon said 1000, 900 acres were
involved, and"hc wishes this manda-
tory resolution to overcome the de-
lays OF the secretary Of the interior
Mr.. Gordon responded that, aftcl
conference with Secretary Smith, he
had learned that vast mineral wealth,
particularly asphalt, existed on these
lands. Tile secretary was dcsirolls Of
protecting the government against
rapaciols persons and corporations
seeking to control these valuable de-
posits, and the secretary felt that
the government ought to receive
some benefit, either by royalty 'or
otherwise, SO the public might re-
ccivc the benefits, instead of giving
them to some great corporation.
Mr.. Chandler asked why Gordon ar
the secretary did not ask to repeal
the law. instead OF ignoring the law
There was some disposition to cut off
the debate, but Mr.. Wolcott protested
That Cuba and the Dupont case ought
not to crowd out all other subjects.
The new state OF Utah ought to have
few minutes on matters concerning
her interests. The senate thcrcupon
adopted Mr.. Cannon's resolution to
proceed with the consideration Of his
resolution. Cannon followed with a
sharp criticism Of the secretary of
the interior for failing to execute
tho law. The sccrCtarys course was
such, he said. us to ultimately put
lands into the hands Of Il monopoly in
stead of opening them to the whole
public.
Mr.. WOlcott added that the land
belonged to the public and should
not be kept from prospcctUrs who
were encouraged BY the government
and would open these vast tracts and
make them valuable.
Mr.. Vest followed in criticism Of
the sccrctary's course.
"Ihcrc WAS 4 time" said Mr..
Vest, "wllcn a cabinet officer who
violated law wotl1G lie hrou!tht be-
fore the bar Of this senate" This
reservation, said the senator, con-
tanned the greatest beds Of asphalt
in Observation-Disclosures to supply the
country for centuries. \ law was
passed directing the opening Of the
lands, but the secretary Of the i'm
terror nulliticd it. 1T was nullificd on
the excuse that congress did not
know what it was about The sccrc-
tary's course was in behalf Of rich IN
vcstors who were the only ones WHO
could bid on public auction of the
lands.
Mr.. Vest said he had protested
personally to Secretary Smith and
told him the entire eastern interest
would oppose his plan and that no
western man would propose it to
congress. Thcrcupon Secretary Smith
answered that he would get a friend
from Georgia to introduce it. II am
sorry to say it," said Mr. Vest, but
there seems to be a disposition on the
part OF the present administration to
treat the western people as if they
were in u condition Of pupiIugc, that
they did not know their own rights
or their own interests, and must be
Informed from the east in regard to
what is best for them and what
should be done for them. Even the
president Of the United States lately,
on a missionary occasion, spoke Of
the west Us the land Of immortality
and crime. Our president stood with
DR.. Talmagc on one side and the
Rev. Sheldon jackson on the other,
and gave a new version Of that bless
cd missionary hymn which we have |
heard 50 often in our childhood:
Frnm Montana ) sinful mountains
From tlah'o wicked plains.
Thcy call Us to deliver
DurlHnd from errors cl;lius"
There was long and loud laughter |
Is Mr.. Vest repeated the lines in
yoncS of intense sarcasm.
ave are luld," continued the SEN
ltor ''by high ecclesiastical author
ty. that his cXccllcncy has 'la1cly
aid down his hunurS 1T the foot OF
Icsus. ! am clad to know it. 1t
las beers the general impression Of
lac democratic party that the mug
HumpS and incense burners have cot =
I'll those hUnors and intend to keep
hem. l. have got respect for
shc Christian religion and missions
1t home and abroad, but, Mr. prcsi-