The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-08-13
THE PRESIDENT FIRM.
The Cattlemen Present Their APP
peal to Cleveland.
The Forty-Day Order Fully Discussed
The Cattlemen Must Give Way
and the Order VIII
Stand.


Louis; Mayor Moore, Seth Mabry, T. D.
BulIene and Dr. Munfcrd, 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. IN. yesterday, and met the Presi-
dent in 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 Arsp-
ahOe Reservation, Indian Territory, we re-
spectfully submit the following facts and
memorial:
FIst-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 afiiX of his signature and seal
SecOnd-Under these circumstances the
lesSees OF the lands in question have placed
upon them a large number Of cattle eSti-
mated at not less than $50, 900. In addi-
ton to tie value of the cattle we call your
attention TO ME further investment III 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
roundly al over 1000, 009.
Third-The area of the land affected by
the proposed acton is between $50 900 and
500, 600 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
the questions suddenly forced upon us is:
Where can this amount of land be found,
all 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
bic 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, aid il
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
S+ hp ilDmpiiataiV 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-The drive from the ranges now
occupied 10 new ones in the northern terri
tories can not be made in less than from
three to four months. In moving the cattle
from their present locations subsistence
must be found along the whole line they
traverse, and il is well known by cattlemen
that at this advanced seaS0H of the year the
summer heat has vaTiOusly 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-
feebled 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 a: this season
than at any other. and many of them are
entirely dry. The distance required to be
travelled by the cattle to these new ranges is
from 500 TO 1900 miles. The universal
custom of those engaged in the business of
driving cattle from the INDIAN Territory and
Texas northward is to start them in no case
later than April. Experience has shown
that cattle put upon the northern ranges
later than August Is are so reduced by the
long 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 !
cember. We respectfully refer you to the
recent proclamation of the Governor of
Kansas in this connection.
Seventh-The above are but portion of |
the difficulties which confront us. There |
are other features of the subject which |
commend themselves TO executive cOnsid- |
6IdltOu, dillpllS WHICH, Tie ldcL tIldl tie
rentals 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 |
cattle 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 /
of the Indians
In conclusion we would respectfully state |
that this memorial is directed, not against |
the policy which has been adopted, but |
against the time which has been allowed us
to 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 Is
well as to others with whom we have bust
ness relations We therefore respectfully |
ask for such time 10 remove our cattle as |
the above facts show to be indispensable"
The memorial is signed by the Cheyenne |
& Arapahoe Cattle Company Hunter &
Evans the Standard Cattle Company, S.
y Moore, Seth Mabry, Newman & Farr,
S. NJ. Briggs, James Morrison, W. f. NAL
alley, the WOod-Bugby Cattle Company,
Underwood & Clark, B. 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
is befOre my eye, and it is the
public interest We have lately seen
what fear can be created by thirty or forty
Indians Within two hours letter has
come to my desk from the Governor of
Kansas, urging that the troops on the bor-
der of that State Shnnld not be Withdrawn |