Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1909-01-08
nOMESTEADERS PROTEST
Against the Location Of the Land Office for
the Proposed New District at narlowton

the Proposed New District at narlowton
When it became known here that
Senator TOOley had gone to Washing
ton, ID. c., in the interest of Harlow
ton rs the town to be selected for the
location Of the land office in the pro-
posed new land district to be formed
according to Senator Carter's bill re-
Gently introduced in the United States
senate, the commercial club of Judith
Gap took the matter up, OH request Of
the large number of residents in this
part Of Meagher and Fergus counties.
The following protest numerOusly
signed was mailed to Senator Carter
the first Of the week:
To THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF
THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION
FROM MONTANA.
WASHINGTON, d. c., GENTLEMEN:
1t has lately come to our notice that
bill has been introduced in the sen
ate Of the United States by Senator
Thomas II. Carter, providing for the
formation of new United States
land district. comprising 2ss town.
ships taken from the present land dis
tricts of LewistOwn, Billings and
Helena, and naming Harlowton rs
the location Of the land office of the
proposed new district. We the under
signed citizens and tax payers of
Meagher and Fergus counties, desire
to express our hearty approval Of the
formation of the new land district,
and at the same time vigorously pro-
test against the selection of Harlow
ton as the place for the location of
the land office, for the following, as
we believe, cOgent reasons:
The bulk of the unapprOpriated
government lands lying in the pro-
posed new land district are along the
newly completed line of the Great
Northern railroad between Great
Falls and Billings, more familiarly
known as the Billings and Northern;
that the public lands already appro-
priatetl and not proved up are largely
along this liue of railroad; that the
town of Judith Gap is more nearly III
the geographical center Of this pro-
posed new district, and is the only
town i'll the district where the Great
Northern and the Chicago, Milwaukee
\ st. Paul railroads enter, and which
railroads tap every portion of the pro-
posed new district. TO place the land
office at HarlowtOn would work
financial hardship and much incon-
venience to ninety percent Of the
people who would have business be-
fore the same.
In view of these facts, we desire
our congressional delegation in the
congress of the United States to see
to it that the name of Judith Gap is
substituted in the bill for Harlowton.
All we ask is square deal, and shall
be willing to abide by the decision of
regularly appointed governmet in
spector, whom we desire to have
visit the territory comprising this
proposed new district, and make Il
report to You of the most convenient
point for the location Of the new land
office.
Judith Gap is young, and perhaps
you will not be able to find it's loca-
ton OH the map, but it is going to be
the largest city in the proposed new
district within the next five years;
we do not need the land office to make
it grow, but in justice to the residents
OF the new district, people who will
have occasion to transact business
before the same, we desire that the
advantages offered by Judith Gap for
the location of the new land officer be
thoroughly investigated before final
action in the premises is taken.