The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1877-01-18
The Herd Law.

Ed. CHIEF-Dcar Sir You invite discussion on
the topic that at present in this County, supplans in
interests all questions religious
the general herd law of the State The proposition
is simply, "Shall the County Commissioners promuL
gate the herd law r. You affirm-I deny-and will
proceed to give few for the faith that is in
me.
l. The great majority of the people of this County
are, to use a homey phrase, behind-that is to say,
the balance is the wrong side of their ledger To
introduce a order of things, q vast amount Of
material would be necessary to make pasture fences
for their stock geed fence and strong would have
to be built say, horse high bull strong, and pig tight
Even if they had their outfences it would take time
and money both to remove them. and rebuild into pas
ture fences
2. Again: No County Board should have the power
to entirely revolutionize the habits and business of
people, at such short notice. 1t is demorazing and
hazardous even if every farmer out of debt and
had money ahead-t would he wrong in principle.
Our Congress has just good right to order specie
resumption tomorrow, our Commissioners to do
this thing. For any great change the people should
have ample warning to give them time to look ahead
and prepare. Our pasturnge is becoming crcumscrib-
ed, and the County is undergoing change. Most Of
our loose stock is sent out west of to herd but
during the Summer months milk cows and work
stock will get many good bite outside, without det
riment to any one. We should have been warned in
time, to have saved more hay. The neighbors
generally by consent keep up stock that is breachy
have horse purchased from Mosquito farmer
that easily waltz over "stake and rdered- fence
backward Of course, restrain the impulsive critter
I'll let him browse dry hay, sll the Summer through
In ethics, suppose il il right for man to keep
more stock than be pasture on his own land !;
but custom and habit strong, and pioneer peO
pie impatient Of restraint in this matter Grass
land unenclosed haa been held in common and known
since the first settlement of the country
Wild vicisus and dangerous animals ought. of course
to be restrained and will be. has been the habit Of
farmers and Changers especially, to mpute all legis
ton relative to stock to the railroads. and with good
reason; for is this herd law promulgated
and in force than at that moment the railroads all
fenced 1t is just what they want. For example:
dog on which tax is paid gets after u calf week
old Old ..line-back,- the calls mother, hearing it
bleat, will come that pasture fence in double
quick, and away goes hnd calf with Billy Chap
pie only three minutes behind. but in ample time to
witness what transpires. Cow on track-express
train on down grade-what follows! Dead cow-en-
gine and two ditched. Result: Tom Vanderslice
serves papers on Bro. Chappe, with bill of damages
for ditched train. The order of things is rever
ed the railroad becomes paintif-will and col
lect il owner of horse is worth enough to fll
amount Of damages to engine and ears.
My farm Is i'm better fix to obey the mandate of
the Court than good many others; but all laws
presumed to he for the benefit of the greatest number
and by far the greatest number are unprepared.
When the notice first submitted, in favor of
the law; but after looking at this thing all over and
viewing it calmly. am opposed to it. There is mig
ger in this woodple-out with him. Farmers should
have at least three years in which to put out grass
land for pasture, and Usage the highway; thei
cornstalks, straw and rye in their fields, in winter
being worth much to them grass. More, if
wanted. THos HENsHALu
Troy, January l3, 1877