Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1905-12-23

ent home ana VINO have exhausted their
| homestead right be given the privilege
for specified time to purchase such
land from the government at a fixed
price, say $3.50 or more per acre. We
| believe bill or bills with these provi-
sions would meet with little if any oppo-
sition and such law would ininre no
one, but would subserve the best inter
ests of all.
Onr people co not take kindly to the
| leasing proposition for obvious reasons
| We are of the opinion that on the whole
| it would be detriment rather than an
advantage to us. Having already ex-
| hausted your patience, we do not feel
inclined to burden you with an argu-
ment in support of this position. We
| believe you are already familiar with
our needs, and the justice and the sound-
ness Of the laws for which we are ask
! ing. II not, Mr.. Martin, with whom the
matter has already been taken up, can
by reason of his familiarity with this dis
trict and its needs, give you the desired
| information
We hope that Mr.. Martin will be able
to secure the passage of such measures
as will give the desired and necessary
relief and we feel confident, Judging
| from the past record of the South Da-
| kota delegation, that with its hearty
support he will be able to do so.
Senator Hanley read the above mem
oral and addressed the meeting at
length in explanation of the conditions
in his county. He made it clear to the
mining men that the resolution which
he introduced into the state legislature
last winter with view of influencing
legislation in the interest Of Custer
county was in no way antagonistic OF
detrimental to the interests of Lawrence
county or the mining industry of the
Black Hills generally. He convinced
the association th&t had the bill to
which his resolution referred been pass
ed in accordance with his resolution that
it would have been as much in its in
terest as that of Custer county for the
reason that his memorial exempted
Lawrence county from the application
of the Objectionable provisions of the
bill which was then pending before con.
gress for passage.
he stated that he had no intention OF
desire OF suggesting legislation of any
character affecting in any way the in.
terest of Lawrence county. That there
was nothing more remote from his in.
tention then, nor is there now than that
of asking for legislation of any character
detrimental to the mine industry of the
Black Hills, that while there are other
interests which deserve consideration
he recognized mining as the principal
and paramount industry of the Black
Hills, and that it was entitled TO special
and united attention and support. He
stated that while we must use every eff.
fort to encourage and promote the pro-
gress and development of this great in
dustry, we must not loose sight of the
other interests in the Hills which, while
not part of, are necessary to the sue.
cessful development of our mines and
other resources as well as to the encour.
agement and maintainence of our mum
cipal organizations with their public in.
stitutions to support. Mr. Hanley made
it clear that Custer il an agricultural
rather than mining county, that the
mining industry only pays about one,
fifteenth of the revenues of the county
Mr.. Hanley created very favorable
impression, being good speaker as well
as good harmonizer.
On behalf of the Homestake company
and others in this section, Chambers
Kellar piled questions fast which both
Senator Hanley and Representative
Tubbs answered freely. Representative
Tubbs spoke ably on the subject, back
ing up the assertions of his colleague
and saying that Custer county mus
work for its own good, that being the
agricultural interests, bnt at the same
time it stood for the protection of the
mining interests in that and every other
county. The ruling of the government
he said, turning the land into forest
reserve had cut out the right Of the set
tiers f.ou under their feet. Ii left then
with nothing TO stand on and they
sought adjustment.
After lively discussion by many o
the members upon the different phases
! Chambers Kellar suggested that com
mittee be appointed 20 look into thu
hix,a al, a. 1
representatives of the proposed legisla
ton and to then report at the mex
meeting as this would give time enough
for 80 weighty question. This was ad
opted and President Thornby appointed
Chambers Kelar, G. l. Wood, l.. p. Jen
kins, Ernest May, X. &. Phillips, Judge
Plowman and Judge Fowler to act.
After adjournment, one of the bes
spreads ever laid before the association
was enjoyed by a large number present
Not only was the supper prepared. elab
crate but it was substantial and full jus
tice was done.-Pioneer-Ti
Senator Hanley and Representativ,
Tubbs are certainly to be congratulated
upon the signal success which crowned
their efforts in behalf of Custer count,
and her special needs and interests a.
set forth in the above quoted article
The necessity of taking some actor
along this line and OF getting this mattel
properly before the Mining Mems Asso
citation, who because ofa miscom prchen