National Republican., 1885-06-20
The Range and Ranch Cattle Business
of ihe Ifuilc1 Stofos

The Range and Ranch Cattle Business
of the United States.
The progress Of empire westward on
this continent has, since the beginning Of
the present century, been chiefly by particu-
lar states and territories. First, Ohio had
its boom Of immigration and settlement:
then Kentucky, then Michigan, then In
diana, and so on, each in its turn becoming
the 'promlsed landn Of the emigrant and
the adventurer. Far-ofT California and
Oregon and Nevada Also in their turn, be-
came the goal of men who ventured forth
in search Of III Dorado.
But a more wonderful sublugation Of ter
ritory TO the arts Of civilization than any of
these has occurred during the last fifteen
years. Theterritory between the Pacific slope
and the lOOth meridian, which passes through
Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas has,
during that period, been opened TO civiliza-
uon and to modern enterprise, and mainly by
the mighty strides of the. wonderful range
and ranch cattle business. The Indian has
retired to the safe retreats of his reser-
walton before the daring and aggressive
cattleman and cowboy, and the buffalo has
given place to the Texas steer, and later to
improved breeds Of the east. Thus an area
larger than all Of the United States east Of
the Mississippi river has been reclaimed to
civilization and commerce. During the
late session of Congress questions of great
magnitude and importance came up for
consideration regarding the public interests
within the cattle area The need Of infor-
nation upon the subject was fully realized.
Accordingly Mr.. Joseph Nimmo, late chief
Of the bureau Of statistics, was called
upon, through a resolution of the House of
Representatives, for report upon the sub
iect. That report, which has involved an
extensive investigation, has recently been
given to the public. o
Mr. Nimmo considers his subject in its
relations to the public land policy of the
government, to the Indian problem, and to
the commercial and transportation interests
Of the country. He also treats quite
fully Of the meteorological and clma-
tological aspects Of the question. His
report is, of course, conformed to the
methods and limited by the proprietles
which attach to q state paper. But the
interest which has been awakened In his
hilhu ny NIltlIH MS Olllslul report mas leu
him to the purpose of preparing a popular
book upon the subiect-a handbook of use
full and attractive information. For this
purpose he will spend the months of July,
August, and September in the cattle area.
During his journey he will have the aid and
cooperation Of senators, members of Con-
g1ess, delegates in Congress, and railroad
managers, as well as of many of the prln-
cipal "cattle kings" of the day.
For this work Mr.. Nimmo has an excep-
tlonal preparation and fitness, in the fact
that In his report on internal commerce for
1894 he treated very fully of transconti.
mental railroads and their traffic, and that
his report for 1885 treats of the CONNER.
cial, industrial, and transportation interests
Of the Pacific coast. His recent official re.
port on the range and ranch cattle business
affords him also the basis of what will un.
doubtedly prove to be an exceedingly popu
lar book. One of the leading book pub.
fishing houses Of the country has already
applied for the work.