Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-02-27
CIVILIZATION STABBED.
President Cleveland Establishes Thirteen
Timber Reservations, One in
the Black Hills.

The executive order Of president
Cleveland establishing thirteen timber
reservations which was consummated
on the 22nd. inst, one of which embraces
9G7 $50 acres in the Black Hills may be
safely regarded as one ofthe most vital
blows at civilization, so far as the Black
Hills is concerned. that has ever been
perpetrated by the ruler ofany nation in
the history of modern or ancient times.
Among the many arbitrary acts perpe-
trated by past rulers, which have been
far reaching in their disastrous effects,
this last crowning act of President
Cleveland, in the measure of it's detri-
m entail effects Is unquestionably the
masterpiece. The Deadwood Times,
commenting upon the effect Of this pro
clamation in the Black Hills, says:
1t does not require deep study to learn
the effect of this proclamation upon the
Black Hills. 1t means, briefly inter
preted and summed up, a death blow TO
our country. The amount of land taken
in on the order is nearly one half of the
best portion Of the hills and is AZ town
ships, or SO by AZ miles, and while not
reliably informed as to its exact locality,
believe it 10 be the tops OF all the hills
between the south line Of Pennington
county TO point six miles north of this
city, and from the Wyoming Dakota
line east to about Rapid City. The sub
ject was quite thoroughly discussed by
interested ones all the latter part Of yes
terday and evening, and it was thought
wise TO hold public meetings at the
different towns in the Hills to consider
the subject. We are reliably informed
that Lead City, SpearHsh and Sturgis
will hold meetings this evening, and
Mayor Star Of this city has called
meeting TO be held at city hall at 7:30 D.
m. Many kilograms were. sent last
evening 10 congressman and senator's
and the idea Of the meetings for this
evening is TO formulate strong petitions
10 President Cleveland, setting forth
the great injury il will do to our country
and pray that he will suspend the oper.
alton OF that portion of the proclama.
ton which directly effects this country,
pending Investigation"
There is perfect furor Of excitement
throughout the Hills result ng from this
terrible blow upon the region. and in
response to kilograms received here and
in other towns. Of the Hills, petitions,
praying for relief, have been forwarded
to the president, and it is most devoutly
hoped that they may meet with favor
able consideration The opinion obtains
among leading lawyers Of this city that
the President has not the power to re
woke the order, and that the most he
could do would be to suspend it for q
period Of sixty days. If this opinion is
correct, permanent relief may only be
obtained through congressional action,
and the strongest possible effort should
be put forth to have the order revoked
or modified at the coming extra session
Of congress which convenes March 10.
as in the event of its permanent contin-
nance, our chief industry, that Of mining,
which offered such bri liant promise OF
success, a.d upon which the prosperity
ofthe region almost wholly depends, be-
comes utterly paraly yzed, and section
of country rich l.. resources, exception
ly prosperous and rapidly advancing
toward the goal Of commercial greatness,
must be blotied out of the list ofciviliz.
ed communities and backward drift TO
the dire and dreary realms of bar rbarism..
May heaven forefend.