The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-10-06
MONTANA AS. A CATTLE REGION

Tne editor. COnfound him!
MONTANA AS A CATTLE REGION.
The New York Tribune and with ex-
cellent reason thinks that to no other per-
son in the American union is the protec-
tion afforded by the republican policy in
fencing against Canadian and Mexican
cattle of greater significance and none
tary value than the Montana cattle-owner.
The following article should lie carefully
perused and understood and it's lesson
committed to memory by every stock
grower in the new state: ~, :"
Montana will help or hinder, by her
election of senators and congressman,
a revision of the tariff in the interest of
home industry! But many of her voters
are not aware how directly the tariff
affects their. interests. Like a large
proportion Of the people in the older
states, these voters are too busy to inquire
into the details of tariff, have no definite
knowledge of the competition which it
prevents or ought to prevent, and fail to
see how it affects their profits or their
wages.
But let them consider why Mr.. Erastus
Wiman, in recent speech in Canada,
declared that commercial union with
the United States would add at least So
to the value of every head of cattle in
the Dominion. His assertion does not
seem wide of the truth. The average
value of $4,000 cattle brought into this
one state of New York from Canada in
the year 1888 was only $14.20, but the
average value Of the milch cows in New
York was $29.60 and of oxen and other
cattle $31.23. The largestEmarket in the
world, and by all odds the best, is secured
to the cattle-growers of this county, as
to producers of other sorts. The Canadi-
ans enjoy free trade, and sell their cattle
where they can and as they can.
Montana had in January last about
100000 cattle, nearly one-half more
than all the New England states together,
with their population of 100000; more
than New York with over 100000 Of pop
ulation, and more than Pennsylvania.
The value of these cattle in that far-off
territory without manufactures as yet de-
veloped was but $22 per head, and yet it
was higher by more than 81 per head
than the average value of cattle imported
from the provinces of Canada nearest
New York and market. In cattle alone
the territory had invested last year more
than $22,OOO,OOO, sum greater than the
assessed valuation of all real estate in two
states of the union, and greater than the
assessed valuation of all personal prop
erty in seven of the states. If these cat
tie had been in the most favored pro
vince of Canada they might be shipped
l. to this state for q market at value no
exceeding $14 per head, and the differ
ence represents to Montana only part O.
the effect of tariff which holds theAmeri
can market for American producers.
} But no one can guess how extensive
the cattle growing interest of Montana
may become. Only six states or rterritorie
had more cattle in 1880 than Montana ha
now, and Texas since that time has NOR
: than doubled its number, adding $500,
600. There is no reason why Montan
should not add as many. within the mex
ten years, provided that American polio
which puts up fence against the cattl
l. of Canada and Mexico is firmly main
tanned and honestly enforced. Canadian
or Mexican land, with Canadian or MeXi
can labor, could send to this country un
limited herds of cattle if the democrati
policy of free trade should prevail. T.
the free trader the horned creature Oh
the hoof is pre- eminently raw material
and he would open the gates to free com
petition across the northern and south
ern frontiers. That would be a goo'
thing for Canada and a good thing TO
Mexico. because the American deman'
would raise to some extent the value o
every animal those countries have to sell
but it would not be good thing for tn
states in which American citizens ar
struggling to establish profitable an
permanent industry, for it would cut o1
at least apart of their market and mater
tally reduce the value of their cattle
It is for Montana to decide whether
, will support Canadian or an America
policy.