The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-11-26
ARID LANDS.
The Close Of the Convention Of Cattle
Raisers Of the United States at
st. Louis.
The Arid Land and National Trail Cues
tions Give Rise to n Spirited Debate
COMMITTEES to Present the Me.
mortal to Congress.
CATTLE MEMS CONVENTION.

CATTLE MEMS CONVENTION.
ST. LOUIS, November 24.-The sixth
days session Of the National Cattle Men't
Convention began about 10:30. Governo,
Stone, of Colorado, chairman Of the Com
mittee on Resolutions, reported fayorably
the resolution OF Mr.. Milne, Of New
Mexico, with reference 10 the arid land
lying between the ninety-eighth meridian
and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and urg-
ing memorial to Congress for legislation
permitting cattle men to lease the land In
tracts OF suitable size for grazing. The pre-
amble and resolutions set forth that under
the existing laws the tenure Of ranchmen to
that section cannot be made secure, hence
the ranchmen are not safe In proceeding
with improvements which would result in
doubling and trebling the wealth OF the
cattle interests-as II Is not safe TO sink
wells, build reservoirs, or take other steps
TO redeem the land from uselessness. Il Is
not proposed 10 disturb the existing home.
stead pre.emption laws, but 10 reserve all
laws to the settlers under these laws. IL Is
proposed, however, 10 except California,
Nevada and Oregon. from the provisions Of
the proposed act Judge Wallace, OF Col
orado, from the same committee, presented
O minority report signed by himself, j. G..
Mccoy, f. ID. Patterson, +. Alex Seth and
J. T. Partin, opposing the resolution as o
measure In the interest OF large owners 10
the prejudice Of the small, and one that
would work substantial repeal to the
homestead laws. Judge w. Thornton, OF
Santa Fe, spoke in Support Of the majority
report. He said that he believed that
the resolution involved the most Inn
portant question that had come be-
fore the convention. II was not pro.
posed to disturb the rights Of small hold
ers and homesteaders, but simply TO give
the grazers an assurance which would justify
them in reducing the lands, otherwise value
less, 10 condition suitable for their pur'
poses. He said that the proceeds to the
Government of the proposed lease system
at q rate OF one cent per acre would be an
annual income of twelve and half million
dollars, and this with great benefit 10 the
lessee. Bishop Faust, of Utah, opposed
the majority report as hostile TO the inter.
ests Of all small owners. Mr.. Mccoy, OF
Kansas, said that he signed the minority
report because he did not believe that any
Congressman would dare TO introduce the
proposed bill, as II involved political suicide
to any man who would do so. Judge
Rhodes, of Colorado, objected TO the meas.
ure. He said that the wonderful progres.
Of the cattle interest In the last twenty-five
years had been made under the existing
laws, and he saw no reason for change
He believed that the leasing OF the
public domain would have the effect Of
throwing the control OF the ranch interests
into the hands Of foreign capitalists
and build up great monopolies. Colonel
Babbitt, OF Wyoming, denied that the reso-
tuition was In the interests OF monopoly,
and said that the interests OF Wyoming de
manded such legislation. Governor Hadley
OF New Mexico, expressed himself as op
posed TO foreign or home monopolists. HI
also opposed range fences, but believed
that the leasings OF the public domain wa
necessary 10 the successful prosecution o.
the cattle industry. Mr.. McCaskill, Of Col
orado, favored the resolution as being In th,
interest Of small owners. Judge Wallace
Of Colorado, opposed the measure as one
calculated to stop immigration into The
West, as 1t would practically nulllfy th,
homestead and pre-emption laws He be
ileVed' also, that IL woulu nave the enect o.
forcing small owners out OF the business
Governor stone supported the resolution OF
the ground already reci.eo. Inc malorltl
report was then adopted oy a large MAJOR
ity An amendment was then passed 0;
which the territories OIL idaho ana otai
were also exempted irom the provisions o
the resolution. ,,,
Inc chair announcer lhe IoIoWlhg com
mittee 10 present the memorlai on 'ne Ira
question 70 Congress: Hon. Y. Y, gpspn
OF Texas; captain Henry warren, OF IeMs
General n. Nj. curtis, OF New York; J9ag
Frost o. Kansas Alexander swan, OF Wy
omlng; ); ID. Hamilton, OF oheroke Strip
Ben b. Groom, OF kentucky; Judge .. {
wallace, OF COLORADO; A. .. Dull, OF rem