Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1905-02-25
Viewed With Dlsfavor by Mining Mems
Association.

NN~'NSN N'oN Ntlp aNsOAlsNiOh 'iS"NN
with disfavor the attempts of any agri.
culiurlsts to secure a foothold in the
Black Hills, that their interests were
inimical to the mining interests, in that
the clearing and preparing of land for
cultivation was a detriment tc mining
in several ways that it curtailed the
water supply, interlered with the propa-
CATION Of timber, and made il possible
for these squatters TO bring actions for
damages against mining companies
whose mills polluted small streams"
This decision was the outcome OF
Messrs May and Cooper, state Senators
from Lawrence county, presenting
memorial to Congress to the association.
Its full text was as follows
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. INTRODUCED
BY MR. HANLEY.
A Joint Resolution and Memorial Re-
questing the Congress of the United
States to pass II X 1851 Report No
2O7S) now pending before that body,
being Bill to Provide for the Entry
of Agricultural Lands within Forest
Reserves
BE 1t Resolved by the Senate, the
House Of Representatives concurring:
Whereas, there are now situated in
the Black Hills Forest Reservation With
in the State of South Dakota, q large
number of tracts of land wholly void of
timber but of great richness and fertiI
lty, and in every way adapted to and
suitable fox cultivation, and capable Of
producing thousands OF bushels Of grain
and other agricultural products annual
ly, which said tracts, under existing con-
ditlons, and present law and Depart
mental Regulations, remain uncutivat
ed, untitled an1 unoccupied, though
capable OF furnishing home and ample
support for many husbandman and his
family; and
Whereas the settlement, occupation
and tlIage of such tracts would not only
add much to the annual yearly products
OF the State, and to its wealth, but also
afford protection to the timber tracts
Of such reserve by safe guarding against
and preventing the spread Of forest fires,
therefore he it
Resolved, by the Senate of the State
of South Dakota, (the House concnrring
that we respectfully, vet earnestly urge
the Congress Of the United States to en-
act this bill into law without unnecessary
delay and, be it further
Resolved, that we request our Sena-
tors and Representatives in Congress to
use their best efforts TO compass such de-
sirabe end and
Resolved Further, that the Secretary
OF the Senate be, and he is hereby dir.
e:ted to forward a copy Of this preamble
and resolution to each of the Senators
and Representatives from this State in
the National Congress.
Upon its reading T. j. Grier, of the
Homestake, said that in his opinion the
association should know exactly, by
metes and bounds, the location of the
lands in question that he did not be-
lieve small strips of land such as the
ones mentioned were entitled to patent,
and that the rights could not be secured
legally; that their settlement would be
stumbling block 10 successful and pro-
ftable mineral development; and would
repeat that the association should have
specific information, before taking ac.
tion, as to the location of these acres.
Mr. Elder stated that he believed that
this matter was practically before the
association year ego in the form of the
Martin bill, and suggested that it be re-
ferred to the committee on Mines and
Mining, and that the committee could
secure information and act intelligently.
C. w. Merrill said that the men gath.
cred here this evening are directly in
| terested in mining, and that the passage
of the bill would result in lesssning the
water and fuel supply, and would bar
prospecting, developing and mining
that the association should stand solidly
opposed to the granting of further rights
to the agriculturists, as expressed in this
resolution, and would make this mo-
ton, which was duly seconded.
Mr.. Grer said that before putting the
motion he " ould ask permission TO speak
a few words. He called attention to the
fact that prior to 1877 this country was
the home of savage Sioux Indians; that
when mineral was discovered the gov
ernmert arranged with the Indians to
vacste and invited the miner to come to
this wonderful kingdom or empire of
wealth, and prospect, develop and work
the mines Of the country. That the gov
ernment announced to the world that
the Hills was a mineral district, and the
miner came and spent millions; that
the agriculturist followed him, without
invitation, and that his rights should not
! be considered where in any manner they
sncroach upon the rights OF the miner.
Mr.. Elder took the same view as Mr.
| Grier and Mr.. Merrill that the matter
was dangerous to the mining interests.
| He proposed referring the matter to the
committee on Mines and Mining for in
vestigation, accompanying il with a res
olution from the association to that com
mittee signifying that the matter APP
pearsd detrimental to the mining inter
ssts, and recommending the committee
taking unfavorabe action.
Mr., Grier thought that it was not pos
sible to make successful farm upon the
small strips Of land which might be
opened to settlement under this bill
but that it was possible to make success
ful mines; that he believed the time
had come when either the miner or the
agriculturist should be sacrificed, and
that he was in favor of sending the far
mer TO the altar.
| Mr. Elder then moved TO amend Mr..
Merrill's motion, by introducing clause
referring :he matter to the committee on
Mines and Mining. giving them full
power to act after investigation. There
was no second.
Mr. Merrill did not care to accept Mr.
| Elders amendment, as he believed the
bin upon the face of it showed it to be
dangerous to the mining interests. His
original motion, as quoted in the frs,
paragraph was then put by the chair and