The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-08-01
RANGEMEN,s RESOLUTIONS.
Legislation to Stop Stock Stealing.

In the Stock Growers Convention, July
Goth, the Committee on Resolutions, consist
Ing of Messrs. b. +. Potts, Azel Ames, P. H .
Poindexter, and A. J. Selgman, made the
following report:
ResoiUed, That the Montana Stock Asso-
citation earnestly recommends that the stock
growers throughout the Territory attend the
primary meetings and caucuseS of the polti-
cal parties during the present year, and sup
port and firmly urge the selection of such
men for members of the Legislative Assem-
bly, rs will favor such additional legislation
as will give the live stock OF the Territory
more complete protection from the ravages
of thieves.
This was adopted by unanimous vote.
The committee further reported IS follows:
WHEREAS, The large export of food pro-
ducts, particularly beef and cattle, to other
countries, the flood of immigration pouring
in upon MS, the close feeding of our ranges,
and the fast settlement of all grazing sec
tions, threaten in the early future to endan-
ger for our own country and people the
supply and price of the beef product of the
country, upon which all must look with con-
Germ: and,
WHEREAS, The policy of the General Gov
eminent has assigned to the unfruitful use of
the Indian tribes large areas of land, which,
while accomplishing little for them, with
hold from use great extents of valuable graz
ing territory; and,
WHEREAS, As an example of and in pnr-
suance of this policy, the Piegan, Assina-
boine, Blackfeet and Gros Ventre tribes
Numbering only about $500 in ALL now oc.
cupy in Montana 100000 acres of such
lands, or about 700 acres of land to the in
dividual, in addition to the lands reserved
for the Flathead and Crow tribes
ResoiUed, BY the Stock Growers Associa-
ton of Montana that the welfare of the peo-
pie at large in the grave question of the sup
ply and price of food, and wise economy
and use of our resources demand that such
action of the Government shall be taken As
shall reduce the limits, now so needlessly
large, of these reservations, and open the re-
mainder 30 occupancy and use.
This was also unanimously adopted. The
committee further reported as follows:
WHEREAS, The Stock Growers Association
of Montana has heard with indignant sur
prise that 1t has been represented to the OFF,
Gals of Manitoba and throughout the Do
minion of Canada, and that the report has
been extended to leading journals of the
United States, that the foot-and-mouth dis
ease exits among the cattle herds Of Mon
tana.
Resolued, That this Association, comprising
membership from every portion of the Ter
ritery, and most intimately and fully familiar
with all the features of its stock concerns,
declares the report absolutely false in every
particular, and uDhesitatingly denounce it as
q malignant invention of a person or persons
who can only be actuated by the basest and
most selfish motives.
Resolved, That 1t seems only necessary to
call the attention of even the most superb
cially informed as to the wild nature and
habits of our range cattle and the total abb
sence at all times of any animal disease in
the Territory, and the nnfriendliness of the
climate to all disease affecting stock, TO ex-
pose the utter absurdity and baselessness of
the canard.
Resolred, That the Association respectfully
and earnestly invites the Hon. Commissioner
of Agriculture of the United States and the
officials of other countries to institute any
inquiries that may test our assertions Of the
absolute non-existence of any disease.
Resotced, That the Secretary of the Asso-
citation be invited to give these resolutions
the fullest publication.
Adopted