Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-09-10
The Mining Congress Held in Butte
Last Week was a Success From
Every Point Of View.
MAGNIFICENT EXHIBITION OF ORE
The Mineral Wealth of the Treasure
State Displayed and Its Bound
less Resources Explained.

The International Mining Congress
was the occasion for the reading of
some very instructive papers on the
mining industry by the most able
men Of the day and the exhibition
building was filed to oyerhowing with
the precious gems and minerals wrest-
ed from the bosom of Dame Nature
by the enterprise of the capitalist and
the hard labor of the miner and pros
pector.
Montana's exhibit demonstrated
more thoroughly than could columns
of literary matter how rich te treas
ure state is in minerals of all descrip-
tions and the samples of ore from
the cyanide properties of Fergus
county were a revelation to many of
the mining men present who had not
realized the immense richness of this
section of the state.
A comprehensive paper was read
by Ella Knowles Haskell on the re-
sources Of Montana and it is sufficient
to say that she did her subject JUS
tice. On the fourth day of the con-
gress the effort to endorse the Kerns
bill, providing for changes in the min
ing laws of the country, so as to es-
tablish separate claims and do away
with extra lateral rights, was defeat
ed by vote of 95 to 8. There was
heated discussion but when the roll
was called the only two states voting
in the affirmative were California and
Missouri. A resolution containing a
recommendation to the United States
congress that the bill should not be
passed was carried without dissent
ing vote.
l.. Bradford Prince of New Mexico,
who is in attendance at the session.
sent up the following resolution:
Resolved, that the magnitude and
Importance of the mining industry,
which has reached over a billion of
dollars of annual production, calls for
the establishment of a national de-
partment of mining, the chief officer
of which should be member of the
presidents cabinet.
Resolved, That the congress Of the
United States be respectfully request
ed to provide by law for the location
and working of mines of the reserv-
ed minerals, gold, silver, and quick
silver, on Spanish and Mexican land
grants"
The resolution was passed.
The Congress indorsed the Lewis
and Clarke Centennial exposition to
be held at Portland.
Butte, Sept. 5.-A movement to re-
organize the mining congress as an
American instead of an international
body on new lines precipitated fight
this morning. Much talk of a split
was heard. 1t is proposed to make
the congress more of a commercial
body.
A special committee on reorganiz-
alton had been appointed early in the
week to draw up report embodying
these new ideas. Yesterday its re.
port was read, the provisions OF
which stirred up such radical dissen'
sions that the original committee was
later supplemented by the adding OF
a member from each state delegation
to its membership. This committee
spent part OF last night in an effort
to mollify and harmonic all factions
and this morning filed a unanimous
report, which Professor Holmes In
presenting explained in detail.
The motion for its adoption brought
a dozen delegates to their feet will
counter motions and amendments
among them a point of order that NJ
notice of the amendment Of the rule.
of the congress under which 1t wa,
working had been made and, conse
quently. the proceedings we're entire
ly irregular
Mrs. Ella Knowles Haskell of Mon
tana raised this point and led tn,
fight against the proposed organiza
tion plan. While slightly In the mi
nority. her skill as parliamentar
ian and debater served to block al
efforts at consideration OF the com
mittee's report and was productiv
OF much bitterness upon both sides.
| II is freely stated that a new ol
ganization may result, whatever tn
action of the congress on the CON
mittee report may be.
e. w. King returned TO Lewistowl
on Monday and said that everythin
on the program was carried out wit
complete success and the only matte
which was to be deplored was tn
endeayor Of some OF the members I