The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-02-20
DEFENDS MONTANA SETTLERS

II q resolution introduced in the
state legislator by Representative
Gray, of Cas- cade county, meets with
a favorable vote, an official protest
on behalf of Montana settlers will be
served upon federal officials who are
responsible for the wholesale suspen.
sion of land entries in this state. Mr..
Gray's resolution is in part to this
effect:
TO the Honorable Senate and House
of Representatives, in Congress As.
sembled:
Whereas, we believe that it is to the
| advantage and best interests OF the
| state of Montana, and the nation at
large, that the public lands of this
state be acquired by sturdy settlers,
and devoted to agricultural purposes.
thus adding largely to the wealth and
prosperity OF the nation: and,
Whereas, it has in the past been the
policy Of the government to encourage
the settlement Of the public lands, n
der the homestead and desert land
acts, giving these acts a liberal o
struction: and,
Whereas, under the present provi-
sions of said public land acts multi.
tudes Of good, honest, conscientious
and Woodworking settlers were induc-
ed to file upon, settle and reclaim
lands hereunder, thus adding largely
to the prosperity and taxable wealth
of the state, and adding to the stabili-
ty and wealth of the nation as well:
and,
Whereas, notwithstanding that the
settlers filed in good faith upon our
lands, and have faithfully complied
with the provisions OF the law, as to
. residence on their homesteads and the
retaining of their desert entries, yet
they find they are now threatened with
ruthless disaster, and their homes,
their ranches, and the savings of years
, Of toll are threatened to be swept
, away by the wholesa ale and indiscrimi'
nate suspension and cancell alton o
their homestead and desert entries
q and
n Whereas, not only has final proc
been, and is now being refused, bu
there Is indiscrimina ate suspension o
patents on entries where final proc
was made and accepted, and wher
the fual payments in desert entrie
were rendered and accepted; that man,
e Of these suspensions were made befor
any investig alton whatever was made
that numerous bona ide and homes
IS entries are now being suspended, som
l. after q superficial investigation b
II some government agent, and some q
Of ter no investig alton at all; and,
Whereas, all those settlers who l
good faith have made their fling
expended their moneys, and compile
ct with the law, are made to suffer Il
to same as the occasional entrymau, VII
De may not have complied with the stri
re letter OF the law, thus branding a
ell without cause as conspirators ar
. fraudulent entrymeu, and thus settir
Al aside the maxim that every man
ew presumed to be innocent until the CO
trary Is proved, and SUBSTITUTE
In therefor the new maxim OF the int
to Tor department, that every entrym'
as ia presumed to be guilty of frau
conspiracy, perjury, and ''looting
ng the public domain until the CO
All trary is proved; and
sss Whereas, this policy of the COVER
is ment Is driving thousands Of our b.
is people and would-be settlers to Can
da, where they q establish homes
Now, Therefore, Be 1t Resolve
my the senate concurring;
ed That we, the tenth legislative asse
nd bly, of Montana, condemn and prot,
If. against the present harsh, unjust, q
in unwise policy Of the government, a
l earnestly ask that q more liberal, j.
of and fair policy be pursued: that p
ents be permitted to issue upon entr
ost for which final proof a. long sir
cry accepted: that only such entries
no suspended as after ia:ostig alton sh