The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-03-05
NATIONAL STOCK GRO W ERS'
CONVENTION.

The RIVER PRESS, always DESTROYS
to furnish its readers with the best arti-
cles on live stock and the news of the
day relating thereto, publishes below a
circular letter issued by a number of
cattle growers, which defines the neces-
sity of perfecting a national convention
of stockmen, and INVITES the views of
individuals and local associations upon
the subject.
The beneficial results of organization
among stockmen are SO apparent that
little comment is needed. All have OBJ
served the good that has come from
purely local associations. Upon the va
rious ranges they have brought order
out of the chaos and contention that ex-
listed when every "outit" went on ''its
own hook" Something like equitable
representation upon reund-ups has been
attained, and action for the protection
of range interests has been rendered
which the various cattle owners assume
responsibility pro rata upon stock.
But more is needed, and of a charac-
ter that affects stock interests upon all
the ranges in the west. Laws for the
effectual prevention Of that dread
scOurge, pleurO-pneumOnia, must be
made national in their scope. Until
that disease is extirpated in the east, a
quarantine should be established on the
confines of all the Rocky mountain
states and territories against cattle COM
ing this way. A new land system APP
plicable to the region west of the Tooth
meridian should become a law, giving
the live stock industry the permanence
that is demanded by the necessity of
supplying the people of the whole coun-
try with cheap meat in time to come.
Among minor regulations might be
mentioned those of appointing inspec-
tors and detectives to prevent theft the
enforcement of rules to have the ranges
adequately supplied with bulls, and
some plan of grading up, whereby a
uniformly good beef product can be OBJ
tanned.
The mossback method of the south
n the hOodOo system of the north
must give way to the spirit of progress Of
the present time, that will convert the
haphazard raising of live stock into a
systematic business, protected by judic-
ious laws.
Following is the letter referred to:
10 the Cattle Gr0loers, Ranch O1rneTS. LeSSees Of Range
Privileges, and others acho are interested in or Menti-
fed ,cith the Cattle Interests Of the United States and
Territories.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, January 1s, 1884.
1t Is q pre-eminent and generally acknowledged
fact that the cattle interests of this country, and
particularly of the west, have never received a pro-
per recognition either at the hands of the govern
ment Or the people of the United States ; and with a
view to better sustaining our claim for a position
among the important commercial interests of the
Ountry the question OF q
W. rArrrn nnnxrupn,
was recently discussed by several prominent gentle
men who are directly interested, but no definite
action was taken except to suggest that 9 circular
stock associations throughout the west, south, and
northwest, presenting, ii possible, a general review
Of the plan for an annual convention to be held at
81. Lonis. The first meeting to be held about Novem-
LIST, 1884:
ton would be q united action for general protection,
to secure advantages and recognit1 on which are now
denied ua, but which are accorded railroad and man
ufacturing companies and other branches of trade,
simply because such interests are guarded and recog- |
nized by a national protective system, secured only
by a national organization such as we now propose
for adoption by the cattle men of this country.
4 he most feasible plan for the elimination of the
scheme as recently presented, is the appointment of
delegates from the different associations throughout
the states and territories, who shall meet in st. Louis,
and form a National Association, the members of
which shall meet at least once in each year, for the
objects and purposes laid down in The bylaws of snch
association, and for the transaction of such other
business as may be OF interest to those concerned.
Such an organization should have it's officers, in
~spectors, representatives, and attorneys, and should
be recognized and protected by congress, And in the
presentation of bills and measures there, our asso-
citation should have prominent consideration. Our
representatives should be kept there for the purpose
Of urging legislation in our favor, and arresting, as
far as may be, the enacting of laws that are inimical
to us. a a /
Our government and the people generally have not
been thoroughly acquainted with the enormous inter-
ests represented by the cattle trade, nor have they
known OF the great benefit that annually accrues to
the commerce OF our country, nor of the general adj
vantage and good, that is yearly experienced from the
direct or Indirect influence of the live stock interests.
The several departments of the government should
know us as a national interest, and statistics touch
ing the entire cattle interests of this country should |
become d matter of national record, and form not
only an important factor in the commerce of our
country, but also q prime feature among the several
influences which make our laws and control our
COngre g.
1t will be at once evident to readers OF this letter.
that though the outline of such an organization ia
necessarily limited, the baeis is a broad one, and
would, If properly managed, eventually result in one
of the most grand and extensive bodies known to the
commerce of our land.
We ask the cooperation of all who feel an interest
in the movement, and suggest that the different ASSOC
Citations and individual members thereof express
their views on the subject and to better accomplish
dressed to HUNTER 81 EVANS, Room 20, Singer Build-
ing, St Louis, Missouri.
HUNTER & EVANS.
CONTINENTAL ATT CO. /
&C. SLAUGHTER.
CATTLE co.
HEWINS d TITUS.
SWAN CATTLE co.
CHARLES GOODNIGHT.
AND MANY OTHERS.
WHY CATTLE THRIVE IN MON
TANA.