Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1885-08-13
THE PRESIDENT FIRM.
The Cattlemen Present Their Ap-
peal to Cleveland.
The Forty-Day Order Fully Discussed
Tho Cattlemen Must Give Way
and the Order Will
Stand,

Stand.
WASHINGTON, August 5.-The cattle
mems delegation, consisting of Senator
of Missouri: r. d. Hunter, C. C. Rainwater,
". B. Thompson and H. N. Pollard. Of st.
Louis; Mayor Moore, Seth Mabry. T. B.
Bullene and DR.. Munford, of Kansas City;
Mr.. Torrey, of Providence, r. l.; Colonel
Ii. B. Denman, of Washington, and G. B.
Peck, of Topeka, called at the White House
at four p. m. yesterday, and met the Presi-
dentin the library.
Senator Cockrell introduced ex-Repre,
sentative Pollard, who presented to the
President the following memorial in behalf
of parties Interested: On behalf of the
lessees of lands in the Cheyenne and Arap-
ahoe Reservation, Indian Territory, we re-
spectfully submit the following facts and
memorial:
First-We do not doubt that it is
the desire of the Government to
deal equitably with this question in
its relation to all parties, and those
who have occupied the Territory by the
leases for two and a half years by the per-
mission and authority of the Government
are entitled to a reasonable period for the
removal of their property. The leases were
in every case made with the knowledge Of
the then Secretary of the Interior; were
submitted to him; and received from him
every sanction except the formal and tech
nical affix of his signature and seal.
Second-Under these circumstances the
lessees of the lands in question have placed
upon them large number of cattle esti-
mated at not less than 100000. In addi-
ton to the value of the cattle we call your
attention to the further investment In range
improvements, fencing corralS and all the
belongings of so extensive business. The
aggregate of value affected by the executive
order may therefore be fairly stated
roundIy at over S., 100000
Third-The area of the land affected by
the proposed action is between $3.50, 600 and
800, 900 acres, this acreage being stocked to
its grazing capacity by the number of ami
mails stated. An equal amount of land is
required for the subsistence of the animals
elsewhere and among the most serious of
thu questions suddenly forced upon us is:
Where can this amount of land be found,
ali the adjacent territory being fully stocked?
1t can not be found by driving the cattle
back to Texas, whence many of them came,
and the remote ranges of Wyoming, Mon
tana and Dakota can alone provide for
them.
FOurth-It is absolutely impossible to Sc
cure and locate lands in these Territories
within the time allowed Were it practical
BILE to find lands supplied with water in
these Territories already occupied, it is i'm
possible to gather the cattle scattered upon
their present ranges and move them north
at this season of the year. Cattle can not
be driven in herds exceeding 5000, ard it
requires twelve men and sixty horses to
handle such herd. 1t will, therefore, be
seen that to move the entire number of cat
tie affected by the executive order, an ag
gregate force of 900 men and 5000 horses
must be Immediately collected. This is ut
terly impossible at this season of the year,
when range work is at its greatest activity
and experienced herdsmen fully employed.
We have but few men at the present time,
having our ranges enclosed by fences and
not requiring herders.
"Fifth-Tbe drive from the ranges now
occupied to new ones in the northern terri
tories can not be made in less than from
three tn four months In moving the cattle
from their present locations subsistence
must be found along the whole line they
traverse, and it is well known by cattemen
that at this advanced season of the year the
summer heat has variOusly impaired the
nutritious qualities of the grasses. The
result must necessarily be that many Of
the cattle would perish on the line of
march, and those finally reaching the
northern ranges would be in such an en-
feebed condition as to be unable to with
stand the rigOrs of the northern winter, to
which they are unaccustOmed. We desire
to emphasize this statement by the
further fact that streams and water holes
along the trails are all lower at this season
than 1T any other. and many of them are
entirely dry. The distance required to be
travelled by the cattle to these new ranges is
from 800 to 1900 miles. The universal
custom of those engaged in the business of
Irving cattle from the Indian Territory and
Texas northward is to start them in no case
alter than April. Experience has shown
that cattle put upon the northern ranges
alter than August Is are so reduced by the
,ong drives that they are unable to gam
strength to endure the early winter storms.
SiXth-A large proportion of the cattle
Affected by this order have been brought
INTO the Indian Territory this year from
Texas. The quarantine laws of Kansas,
Colorado and New Mexico rigidly forbid the
admission OF such cattle into, or their
transit across their territory prior to De
,ember. We respectfully refer you to the
recent proclamation of the Governor of
Kansas i'm this connection.
Seventh-The above are but a portion of
he difficulties which confront US. There
IRE other features of the subject which
commend themselves to executive cOnsid-
,ratiOn. among which is the fact that the
entails for all the lands have been paid to
November 1 of this year. No amount of
diligence will enable us to gather up all the
,attle during the time allowed and the re-
suit must be that the uncOllected portion
will be left on the range unprotected by
their owners and subject to the depredatiOns
IF the Indiaos.
In conclusion we would respectfully state
hat this memorial is directed not against
The policy which has been adopted, but
against the time which has been allowed lis
70 conform thereto. We only solicit that
measure of protection to our property which
IS accorded to other established interests.
The enforcement of the present order can
only result in great injury to ourselves as
well as to Others with whom we have bust
ness relations. We therefore respectfully
ask for such time to remove our cattle as
the above facts show to be indispensable"
The memorial is signed by the Cheyenne
& ArapahOe Cattle Company, Hunter Il
Evans, the Standard Cattle Company, S.
X. Moore, Seth Mabry, Newman & FAIR,
S. n. Briggs. james Morrison, w. E. NAL
alley, the Woo1-Bug6y Cattle Company,
Underwood & Clark, d. Fenlon, Dickey
Bros, the Wichita Cattle Company, and
the Towana Cattle Company.
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
After several of the delegates had spoken
in behalf of the address. the President said:
''There is one point that seems to escape
your attention. gentlemen. That point