The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-06
Republicans Trying to Explain
Their Peculiar Position.
THE PROPOSED GAME LAW
Some Conditions Which It Is Proposed
to Change Memorial for the Open
ing of Flathead Reservation.
Board of Horticulture.
Special Dispatch to the Standard.


bers of the two houses who did not go
home Friday and Saturday have been
at church or at their homes in town,
and the appearance of the town has
been the quietest of any day since the
legislature convened. One hears little
taken day off as well as their victims.
The talk of the late senatorial contest
has also subsidized, and the only discus
sion of the matter that is heard con-
sists of the attempts of the recreant re-
publicans to explain their peculiar posi-
ton. They are using a large amount of
the space of the local newspapers, and
some of them are writing letters, but it
seems to be the general opinion that
they might better keep still, as the more
they say the worse their position APP
pears. 1t is case of least said, soon
est mended.'' The Deer Lodge city
lobby that is here in the interests of
the Powell county bill is the only one
that has been at all in evidence to-day
and the men who compose it have found
nobody to talk to except each other
Sportsmen are becoming interested in
the proposed game law that was men
toned in the Standard to-day, and it is
being discussed quite generally by those
who are interested. The measure is not
quite ready for presentation, but it is
being carefully prepared, and it's franz
ers are confident that it will remedy in
a great degree the unfortunate condi-
tons under which the game of Mon
tana Is being destroyed. From all parts
OF the state comes the complaint that
the chief cause of the rapid depletion of
n m "a in Mnt, faV, sr i - ILL.,,
checked depredations of the Indians,
who are allowed to wander from their
reservations at will, and who slaughter
game unfortunately. The joint me
mortal introduced by Senator Tom Gull
len of Dawson county will tend in some
degree to check this if it's suggestions
are carried out This memorial deals
with the subject of the wandering of
Indians from their reservations, and it
is hoped that it will result in the con-
slderation of the matter by congress.
If this is successfully carried out the
sportsmen will find their task much
simplifed.
Senator Worden's joint memorial in
regard to the opening of the Flathead
Indian reservation is receiving it's share
OF attention in the informal discussion
of measures that are before the legis-
lature. The senator from Missoula has
familiar with the conditions existing
in regard to the proposed opening of the
rich empire that is embraced within
the boundaries of this reserve, and his
suggestion as to the personnel of the
treaty commission that shall have
charge of the negotiations with the
confederated tribes is considered by all
to be the only feasible method of bring
ing about the desired end. There have
been two commissions appointed by the
federal government for this purpose,
but each of them has failed signally in
its efforts. The head men of the tribes
have been deceived by the commission
ers SO often and so unreasonably that
they are now distrustful, and it will be
possible to restore their confidence only
by the appointment of men who are
familiar with the existing conditions
and with the nature of the Indians.
The advantages to western Montana
that would follow the opening Of the
reservation or a part of it are many.
The region is richly endowed by nature,
and there would be opened not only rich
timber land and fine mineral belts but
some of the finest agricultural land as
well. Representative Truscott has in
preparation joint memorial for the
opening of the old Fort Peck reserve.
His reasons are similar to those of the
Missoula senator but the conditions are
more favorable.
Senate bill No. ~, the measure for the
establishment of a state board of horti-
culture, Is growing in favor if the ex-
pressions that are heard on every hand
are to be taken as a criterion. The or
chard industry OF the state is one of
which all citizens are proud, whether
they come from the range country, the
mining region or the fruit belt Mon
tana's fruit record is enviable, and the
distinction that she enjoys as to the
quality of her fruit products is due
largely to the fact that her fruit is free
from blemish. That this distinction
may not be lost, it is necessary that
some means be taken to protect the or
chards from the Introduction of insect
and other pests 1t is the same protec-
ton that is afforded to the sheep men.
the cattle men and the horse men. They
are protected as carefully as possible,
and the fruit men feel that it is only
Just that they should be accorded the
same privilege. The expense of the
board will not be great as compared
with the vast amount of good that it
will accomplish. 1t is something that
can be done more cheaply now than
ever again. 1t is easier to keep out
these pests than it is to rSmove them
after they have once obtained a foot
hold in the orchards of the state.
House bill No. s. providing for lien
upon saw logs, ties, piling and lumber,
IS measure that is of Importance to
the lumbermen of Western Montana,
and is receiving much attention from
them and from their associates in all
parts of the state where numbering is
carried on. The bill aims to afford the
men who work in the timber the same
means of protecting themselves from
INSCRIPTIONS employers that is afford
ed to mechanics who work in towns and
cities upon buildings and otherwise.
This bill has been favorably considered
in the house committee of the whole
and will come up for final consideration
Monday or Tuesday. House bill No. I,
which provides lien for hotel keepers
UPON the baggage of their guests, is
also ready for consideration by the
house for final passage, and house bill
No. 81, which gives herders prior
lien upon the stock for which they care,
is on general orders.
The Importance of the work that is
before the ways and means committee