The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-11-22
MONOPOLY Or GRAZING
LAND.

The proceedings OF the conven-
ton OF cattlemen now In session in
st. Louis is being watched with in
tense interest by others besides those
engaged in the cattle industry. The
investment of sec, GOO, 600 and the
virtual control Of 5000 600 acres of
land which the convention repre-
sents show to what huge proportions
the cattle interest in the West and
Southwest has grown. And that
steps may betaken BY the convention
to monopolise large tracts Of the pnb-
lie domain is feared by many
But, great and important as this
interest is, the course that has IN
many cases been pursued to secure
the land necessary to the MAIN
tenance of large docks and herds,
has given rise to COM laint ON the
part of those seeking land for actual
settlement, aud from others who
have, in one way, OF another. been
prevented from obtaining grazing
land for their own purposes. Each
section of the country has its p.cu-
liar grievances against cattleinen.
Sometimes it Is on account OF fences;
sometimes it is on account of water.
In California the most serious conf
plants seem to be based on the latter
ground; for advantage is taken OF
the waterless character Of much OF
the land, to control vast tracts by
simply securing . comparatively few
acres along the banks of q water
course. In fact, this means of secur.
ing, or monopolizing large areas OF
qraziug land has hitherto been so
successful in that State, that, not
long ago, q company was formed
for controlling the grazing In
terest by locking up the water sup
DIV. Tie c0mpany's prospectus was
circu ated in England, and boldly
set forth the feasibility Of the
scheme, calling attention to cases
where the investment OF q small cap
ital in land had given control OF an
almost unlimited range. But such
measures were taken to prevent the
consummation of the great wrong,
that it is probable the scheme has
been abandoned, for nothing has
been heard OF 1t in some months.
In most of the Pacific States and
Territories cattle are the live stock
principally reared. although in this
Territory toe production Of wool IL
one of the most important interests.
But it is not in Montana that COM
paints against cattlenaen have origi-
mated. It is in. Texas, Wyoming,
Nevada and Utah that loud COM
plants are made. It Is charged that
cattlemen in those States and Terri
tories have INDUCED in the practice
If securing land about q water sup
DIV and shutting out the stock OF
small raisers from it. The complaint
is also made that, especially in Texas
ana Wyoming. oattlemen have
in large tracts of the public
domain to the exclusion of bona Jfde
settlers to such an extent as to call
the attention of Congress to it.
OF course 1t is expected that cattle
men will do all they can to protect and
advance their own interests, but eArs
are expressed that they will attempt
to grasp all the land in sight, and
that their desire to do SO may induce
them to resist any measure which
Congress may BIZ called upon to pass
TO protect those who wish to enter
into the business, and to prevent the
of land which might be
made more profitable to the public at
large by its cultivation by settlers.
It is hoped these fears are unfounded.
There are no grounds for them, judg-
ing from the proceedings of the coz
vention to this date. |