, 1888-01-20
MAVERICK MEETING.
CattIemen Discuss the Situation in
Open Meeting Last Night.
A New Maverick Bill to be Form
uIated and introduced.
Conservative But Pointed Remarks
by Those Interested.

In responsc to an extensively circulated
invitation and a published call, a gather
ing of representative local and outside
cattlemen, a number of Legislators and
others filled the court room last evening,
The stated object of the meeting was for
the consideration of the present statutes
and all the phases of the operative NAV
erick law.
Col. A. II. Rabbit was selected to pre-
side over the meeting, while Thomas B.
Adams was chosen to act as secretary.
The signature OF the latter gentleman
having been appended to the call, he
briefly announced the object OF the meet
ing.
Col. Rabbit followed with a few re.
marks. The impression that the stock
association desired to arrogate unto itself
certain illegal powers was erroneous. The
cattlemen simply wished to be impartially
treated. They represented probably the
most important interest in the territory,
and paid a large proportion of the taxes,
and were entitled to some consideration.
He believed that the present legislature
would act without prejudice. That body
certainly would not deprive the stockmen
of reasonable protection. Col. Babhitt
then invited those present to express their
views Upon the subject.
Mr.. Adams then presented the outline
of a bill for an act to take the place of the
maverick law in case that measure was re-
pealed, which seemed probable at pres
emit. The proposed acts provides hat a
territorial stock commission to consist of
one member from each county, to be APP
pointed by the governor, shall be created.
This body will disburse the fund arising
from the sale of mavericks, which money
shall be covered int o the territorial treas
ury. The county commissioners of each
county shall appoint deputies to super
sedc stock detectives or inspectors. These
deputies will be subject to the orders of
the territorial board. From $4,000 to
$50, 600 would be annually expended by
the board. This law is in operation in
Montana and is quite satisfactory.
Hon. A. H. Reel spoke for a few min
utes. He believed the measure sugges-
ted by Mr.. Adams was an excellent one.
He understood it was proposed to devote
the money accruing from the sale of NAV.
ericks to school purposes. This would
not be right, as stockmen already paid
their per capita of school taxes. The
fund Was created and contributed to by
stockmen exclusively, consequently they
should derive all benefit from it. Let the
stock deputies be assigned to the country
and work for the interests of all alike.
He did not believe the existing statute
defective. If a man was honest he
would not be injured by its provisions.
THE rustlers'' were advocating its re-
peal.
Mr.. Adams spoke again. If the law
was repealed and no substitute enacted
he, as a member of a cattle company,
would seek to have the best ''rustlers'
procurable in his employ. 1t would then
be thief against thief in the struggle for
unbranded calves.
Mr.. Hammond endorsed the proposed
law, after asking for information in re.
gard to the live stock commission.
n. R. Davis thought as a whole the
measure should be approved. but did not
believe that men appointed by the county
commissioners would make good servants
for another body. He deplored the fact
that so many people assumed that the
maverick law as administered was unjust
to the small owners.
Mr.. Mercer, of the Stock Journal,
thought that there was not such a senti-
ment against the law as many had been
led to SUPPOSE. The cattlemen had made
Wyoming. If mavericks were stolen
they were the losers.
Mr.. Darlington. of Sweetwaler county,
said hat the proposed bill met with his
views.
Mr.. Clark, of Crook county, endorsed
the new measure. He believes that the
new law would put a stop to stealing.
Cattle thieves had become very bold with
in the past two years.
The following named gentlemen were
appointed as 4 committee to formulate
the new bill, after which an adjournment
was taken: G. A. Campbell, n. r.
Davis, A. II. Reel, A. Gilchrist and
Luke Voorhees,.