Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-04-10
Reserve Order Too Sweeping.

The cabinet was in session today a
little over an hour and a half, says q
Washington dispatch of the End inst.
All the members were present. The
only question of public Importance dis
cussed was that Of resembling the order
of ex-President Cleveland setting apart
twenty-one forest reservations in the
west. This question has engaged the
attention of Secretary Bliss for some
time. The secretary today took to the
white house the maps and papers re-
lating to the matter. The discussion of
the forestry question WAS at times very
vigorous, and all the members took part.
The outcome was the decision that the
National Forestry commission be sum-
moned to Washington to talk over its
work with the president. 1t is under
stood that the sentiment was unanimous
that President Cleveland's proclamation
was too comprehensive and it was stated
that the object Of the commission which
investigated the situation and on whose
report the reservations were proclaimed
was to take enough ito preclude the
possible future claim that any land pos.
sibiy deserving or requiring reservation
had been omitted" The cabinet held
that the committees investigation was
inadequate. The president announced
his purpose to act on conservative lines
and not without conservative informa.
ton. Secretary Bliss led the discussion,
and submitted notes Of the remarks of
senator's who protested against the or
der. The amendment now pending
authorizing money for the work was
carefully reviewed, and it was decided
that no action should be taken pending
such survey of the reserved country.
The general opinion was that the
amendment would be made law early
next week, and it was determined that
surveying work should be begun imm o.
diately upon the amendments berom-
ing law, and reports of the survey ex-
pedited to the end that any defects
should be promptly remedied.
The forestry proclamation will not be
revoked, but the provisions adjusted by
presidential orders as to specific tracts.
The Black Hills reservation in South
Dakota, in all probability, will comprise
part of the lands which will be subject
ed to the first survey. When the work
there is completed the president will
exempt from the provisions of the
proclamation such lands as are of farm
ing or agricultural character, or where
the settlers rights are injured. Then
the surveyors will be transferred to
other tracts and the exemptions pro-
claimed separately as the work pro-
crosses. The Forestry commission is
expected to come to Washington next
week to talk oyer the matter with the
president and members Of his cabinet.
FORESTRY COMMISSION HEARD.
A late dispatch from Washington
gives an account of the hearing Of the
Forestry commission before Secretary
Bliss on Monday last, upon which oc'
casion the commission went over the
whole forestry question and explain ed
its reasons for advocating all the reser.
yations of timber land made by Presi.
dent Cleveland's proclamation. The
commission was divided as to the advis.
ability Of making any changes, several
of the members conceding that some
changes or exceptions might and should
be made. The outcome Of the debate
was a motion to forward to congress in
day or so q proposed amendment tc
the sundry civil bill to be framed on the
lines Of the McRae bill, which has been
before both houses of congress in vari
Gus forms and is now pending in the
senate. This amendment will authorize
the secretary TO prescribe such rules
and regulations for the government OF
the forest reserves as will permit the
disposal Of timber in the reservations
for legitimate mining purposes and will
preserve also the rights of agricultural
and mining settlers on reservations
Tie amendment provides a way for the
suspension of the operation Of the
presidential proclamation reservinl
forest reservations and the survey oftht
reserved tracts by the geological survey
appropriatng Sl50,0O0 therefor.
WILL RECoMMEED REPEAL.
After listening to long conference
with western senators on Tuesday last
Secretary Bliss decided to recommend
the repeal Of The Cleveland forestry or
der, says Washington special.