St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-01-29
COERCIVE OATTLEMEN.
Conflicting Conditions That Affect the
Great Trail Controversy.
Montana's Lack OF Representation at
the Denver Convention.

That a little controversy exists between
the ''cattle barons' of Southern Texas and
growers of live stock on the northern ranges
of the United States is becoming daily
more apparent. One of the subjects that
occupied the thoughts of the 1900 visiting
stockmen at Denver involved the question
of checking the northward movement OF
cattle from the Texan ranges, and those
who are well informed in the bust
ness assert freely that this ques-
ton was the underlying cause of
the Denver meeting. They hold that
Notwithstanding existing quarantine regula-
tions great herds of long horns have been
moved up the trail with scarcely any oppo-
sitiOn or interruption and 1t is estimated
that not less than $4,000 head reached
Montana from Texas last season. With
other receipts from the South and via rail-
roads some of the
RANGES OF MONTANA
and Wyoming have become overcrowded
with cattle. condition which is attributed
mainly TO the overriding operations of the
minority-the few who are most heavily
interested i'm the cattle business. Among
those who brought Texas cattle into Mon
tana last season will be found" said a
prominent stockman in conversation upon
this subject, 1.-The following well-known
names: Simpson d Hughes, 10000 head
(including Dakota); Hunter, Evans d Co.,
z, 600 head; Niobrara Cattle company, 5000
head; Phillips Brothers, 1000 head; j. IL.
Conrad 81 Co., 1000 head. The latter lot
was bought from w. b. Woesham at Ogal-
lala while on the trail and continued on
ward to the Northern Montana ranges. and
by the way" said he, "Conrad's outfit had
lively racket when they threw that lot OF
cattle on a range that is claimed by the
NiObrara cattle company and other old
timers. Their rights to it were probably
coequal with Conrad's but they'll not
round up his cattle unless, perhaps. 70 help
move the herd next spring to different
location. That policy has been announced
in a very decisive manner, by his opponents.
1t seems to the writer that
THE ''BARoNs"
make a rather questionable assertion of
rights" in free country. on ranges where
feed costs them nothing and where the
American citizen is supposed to out-rank
the corporation and the foreigner. 1t is
said. however. that might makes right.
and the custom of the cattle barons GER
tainly seems to warrant the assertion.
Even with a strict observance Of the
quarantine regulations" continued the
stockman. 1.-The Montana ranges will receive
great many more cattle than the present
occupants would like to see. Herds will be
started from Texas, driven to Indian Ter
ritory or New Mexico and quar-
antiDed, then driven TO Kansas
or Colorado, thence to Nebraska OF
Wyoming and then Montana or Dakota.
Should they be quarantIned at each great
cattle-handling point the movement would
| l., A.,4 fha ~
the larger herds would be affected the leasi
by such delay, for their arrangements along
the trail enable them to handle stock en-
route more easily than in the case with
SMALL HOLDERS.
but they are staving off these delays as much
! as possible and have succeeded very well
thus far. and will probably offset any deter
mined effort 10 check the movement unit
such time as they have transferred sufficient
to stock the Northern ranges. In this con.
nection the inaction Of the Montana StOcl
Growers association regarding delegates e
the Denver convention is notable. The ex
ecutive committee of that association Il
composed largely of those who have heav,
cattle interests in Texas as well as in tn,
Northwestern territories, and who desire {,
continue an unimpeded transfer from Soutl
to North. The lesser numer OF Northern vote
lueIc vert al DcllNcI tic iccc CiidlCc WOult
there be for undesirable action upon tn
trail question and although many member
of the Montana association favor the re
strictive measures its executive officers die
not designate duly authorized delegates
The observations of Montana stock-grower
who have attended the Denver assembl,
and understand its ''inside" workings viii
be received with great interest by their col
leagues in
THE NORTHWEST.
but 1t seems probable that efforts toward
combination that will say TO the create
herdsmen: "You cannot move your cattl
more rapidly than any of the rest of us,
will prove Ineffective.
With these views carried out Montana 4
likely to have continuance of large add
tons to the cattle upon her ranges which
II is understood. now number over on
million head. Certain portions of that ter
ritory are capable of sustaining q grea
} many more cattle than they have at presen
and il seems as though compromise be
tween the two factions is desirable for, Q
say the least, the policy of checking IN
movement Of live stock to the Northwest
very questionable one at present