Rocky Mountain husbandman., 1884-11-27
NATIONAL CATTLEMEN's CONVENTION

The first national convention OF cattlemen
ever held in this country opened its session
in St. Louis on the morning of November
II. Delegates were present representing
nearly all the Western States and TerritO-
ries, several of the Eastern States. Mexico.
England and Scotland. CoLR D. Hunter. of
St. Louis. the originator of the project, called
the conventions to order, and announced as
the object OF the gathering the formation Of
national league OF the cattle interests for
mutual good. Col G. G. Rainwater. of St.
Louis, was made temporary chairman, and
ThoS. Surgis, of Wyoming, temporary sec
retary. Committee on credentials was aP-
pointed Governor Crittenden and Mayor
Ewing appeared before the convention to
welcome the delegates IN behalf of the State
and city. They were accompanied by
military escort. Governor Crttenden lean
panied by his staff, Ex-Governor Thomas c..
Fletcher, Colonel Meyers of the State Guard,
and others. Mayor Ewing was first intro
duced. He thanked the delegates for the
honor of selecting ST. Louis as the place for
the convention, and extended TO all the hos
pitality of the corporation. Gov. Crittenden
followed, adding his welcome to that of
Mr.. Ewing, and speaking at some length of
the nature of the questions to be discussed
by the convention. Among other things,
he said: Il think congress should set aside
sufficient of the public domain for national
or international trail from the Red river on
the North to the Red river on the South, and
wide enough to accommodate million cat
tie. Now is the time to memorable congress
to that end.' He spoke also of the growing
demand tor meats throughout the world, OF
the necessity of proper breeding, and the
adoption of conditions of existence suited tc
each particular breed. General Sherman
also responded and made brief address OF
a general nature, He concluded as follows
'Iused to regret to see buffalo, elk and an
telope disappearing from the plains. and tC
see In their stead a race of scrawny, long
horned Texas cattle. | can now see, how.
ever, that it was the decree of nature, anC
that you, gentlemen, have reared race o
l"tilty HllilIonS Ol me DfeeQlng caLtIe
which will supply the world with meat ,
An amusing feature OF the convention is
a cowboy band from Fort Dodge. Kansas
twenty men strong. and in full frontier cos.
tune. They PLAYED several selections dur
ing the morning session. eliciting great ap
plause. The leader wields. in place of
baton, his silver-mounted derringer, which
is nearly a toot long.
On the convening of the second DAVIS Ses
sion. Hon. John Finn was appointed SER
geant-at arms. The formal announcement
was then made of the members of the CON-
mlttees on credentials. permanent nrganiza.
ton and resolution. consisting of one dele
gate from each association represented in the
convention, and from each State and Terri.
tory, numbering in all over 100 to each com,
mittee.
Mr.. Milne, of New Mexico, presented A
resolution referring to the arid lands of hi,
State and urging that Congress be memo
! ralized to permit the leasing of these lands
tor grazing purposes. Referred.
: A resolution was also referred from w
. IL. Llewellin, OF Lincoln county, Texas
protesting against the allotment of larg,
tracts of lands to wild Indians which other
wise would be of value for grazing purpos