The Ely Miner

The Mineral Law.

Editor Bowman, of the Rainy Lake Journal, is highly and rightly "hot under the collar" on account of the opposition developed in Duluth by the "lumberjacks" as he styles them, to the plan to put the northern part of Minnesota under the operation of the mineral laws. While it is true that a goodly amount of the opposition developed among the lumbermen, it is also true that several other people are opposing the mineral law. In the last issue of the paper Mr. Bowman says:

"It is an undeniable fact that these lumberjacks and their cruisers know every foot of land in these northern wilds. They know that every foot of it at all valuable for its timber was taken years ago. They know the agricultural capabilities of every quarter section as well. Consequently, if a filing is presented for a piece of land within the confines of the supposed mineral belt, the conclusion is at once reached by the selfish lumberjack that it contains gold, either quartz or placer, and the notorious result is that the legitimate mining man is subjected to contest, which is nothing less than outrageous blackmail, and should be actionable in the United States courts! * * *

The best interests of all concerned demand that Congressman Morris and his colleagues in congress listen not to the siren song of the lumberjacks, as they have had their day, have served their purpose, and should be relegated to the rear with the Indians and other relics of the past, but should give heed to the demands of the mining men, who are backed up in this endeavor by all that is best in American citizenship!

"The gold is here, and mining men want and demand legislation in their interest that will give them a free hand to seek for it and when found to have the undisputed right to wrest it from its hiding place in these new gold fields. All that they ask is a fair show, and if that be granted the roar of thousands of stamps will soon be heard all over this region of virgin solitude. Such legislation will set the wheels of progress in motion here as no other factor can and gold mining, lumbering, farming, fishing, and the thousand and one pursuits of civilized man, all will then take the place of present log shack of the lumberjack and the birch bark wigwam of his compeer, the Indian, and when that change comes, as come it must soon, it will only be another case of the survival of the fittest."