The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-12-25

der this head, for the unoccupied govern
mcnt lands had far better lie pasturcd by
our domestic breeds Of cattle than By herds
Of buffalo and antelope. But even upon
the pairies there IS need Of some rcstric-
tons, OF a few men viii monopolize the en-
tire country, and allow no intruders 10
share Il with them. Then the time comes,
even in the widest localities, when farmers
desire 70 locate upon the richer lands and
begin 70 cultivate them, which either neces-
states the building Of strong fences 70 keep
out stock, or eompels the hcrdsman 70 take
care Of the animals himself. Collisions
frequently occur between these two classes
Of pioneers in a new country; therefore We
hold that the same principle (modifed Of
course by circumstances should be uniyer-
sal throughout the country, and every man
be compelled to take care Of his own stock,
in such manner, Of course, as he chooses,
either By building enclosures or employing
q herdsman 70 guard.
This is the common practice OF the coun-
try. but local authorities have seen ft in
few instances to recognize an opposite prin-
ciple. aud compel farmers to build fences,
whether they have any need Of them or not;
or, IN other words, a man must defend his
property by physical force represented by
wall. hedge, or some kind of fence, 90 run
the risk Of losing it.
Now that such a state Of things should
exist in our older and thickly settled States
is shameful, and every man who believes in
equal rights and strict justice, should aid in
doing away with It. Even IN new countries
where animals are allowed to run at large
by a seemingly general consent, progress in
the settlement Of the country IS frequently
greatly hindered, because few men may
own large herds, and these roaming at
large are ever ready to invade the gardens,
orchards, or fields of those who may at
tempt the cultivation of small or large
tracts Of land. A few menin this way may
control the settlement of an entire town or
county, because it is frequently the case in
sparsely wooded regions that it costs more
to fence farm than it is worth. There are
many localities in the Western States now
under the ban of large stock owners; and
the wOuld-be cultIvatoTs of small farms are
compelled to 60 elsewhere, because they are
not able to fight successfully Che more
wealthy stock owners. Aswe have said be-
fore, this free pasturage system may an
swer very we'll as long as all follow it, and
the range is unlimited; but selfishness gen.
orally increases with an increase of wealth,
and the owners Of large herds are usually
10th to see their free pastures circumscribed.
The habit becomes so fixed that at last they
demand a free range for their stock as a
right. We admit that it is difficult to fix
the point just where the nomadic life shall
cease, and the more civilized should begin;
but it must be established somewhere for
the general good of society. We drc not
in need of any more laws relating to this
otrI, hos horr oil n II
letter upon our statute books; but if every
man was disposed to do what is right be-
tween himself and his fellow man, trouble
from this source would soon be at an end.
No one residing in thickly settled coun-
try need to be told that it is breach of
common decency, to say nothing of COM
mon law, to turn cattle into the highways,
compelling their neighbors for miles around
to build high, strong fences; with the bars
up and the gates shut, or be in danger of
having their garden or field crops destroyed.
Some may say, why not appeal to courts of
justice and assert your rights of protection
against such lawless members of society;
but who desires to be at law with neigh
Dor, or waste time that could be spent in a
better and more pleasant manner. This
permitting of stock to Jun in the highways
is the source of much bitter feeling among
neighbors, engendering hatred and fre-
quently bringing much unhappIness to all
parties concerned.
To some of our readers it may seem that
these remarks are unealled for at this time,
or that they are not applicable to society in
the older STATES; but we assure them that
few neigb5orhoods exist anywhere wherein
some lawless persons do not reside, and
these persist in pasturing the highways.
Extreme measures must sometimes be re-
sorted to in abating The nuisance, and per-
haps no better one could be recommended
than the following, which we have just re-
ceived from correspondent in New Jersey,
where law and order ale supposed to have
many supporters.
Perhaps other localities may profit by
the suggestion embraced in this present
ment.
PREsENTSlEET OF GRAND JURY
The following presentmeDs was upani-
mously adopted by Che grand jury of Bur
lington county, N. j., at the last term, and
read to the court:
eTo he Judge of the Court Of Oyer and Tetniner:
1.-THE eStention of the grand jury having
been called to Che practice which still sx-
lists in some neighborhoods, Of permitting
cattle to run at large on the public high
ways, they deem it proper to state that in
their opinion it is wrong in principle, dan
gerous 90 the lives and property of persons
on railroads, and unjust to those who do
not suffer their stock to run loose, to be re-
quired to fence against road cattle; that
all owners OF cattle should fence around
and keep them enclosed rather that to re-
quire the growers of fruits, vegetables, and
other crops to fence around them.
: k1,o1
preventing cattle running at large in some
parts of our county has been salutary and
! favorable, giving greater security and COM
fort to travellers; saving large expenditures
for fences, many of which have been re-
moved from the roadside, thus adding by
way of headlands, about five per cent. to
the area Of cultivated land. Fruit end
ornamental trees have been planted along
the public highways, winch contribute to
the comfort and pleasure of travellers, as
well as to the beauty and value Of the farms.
Fencesbeing one Of the heaviest expenses on
the farm, should not be required when only
needed to keep cattle on the public high
ways.
eve do therefore present the practice Of
letting cattle run at large on the highways
as g nuisance, which should be abated by all
proper remedies.
ssWnLIAaf PARRY, Foreman
To which the judge replied that the court
fully concurred with these sentiments, and
that the proper remedy would be to have
any cases which might occur brought before
the gland jury; but that he hoped thi:
would suffice as a warning; he also recon-
mended that this rfesenfment should b'
placed on file and published in the county
papers.
Startling Indian News.
IFrom the Corpus Christi eazesteI