, 1891-07-31
Will CATTLE THIETYNG BE
UPHELD2

The Laramie ReDuJhe1H affects to be
very much exercised over the advertising
Wyoming will receive through the aGita-
ton against cattle thieving which THE
LEADER has inaugurated. We arc sorry
for the Republican. A newspaper which
looks with complacency upon range thiev-
ing and is putting forth its efforts lot TO
protect the victims hut to shield the
thieves must be very much worried in
deed. But which is the better advertise
ment for Wyoming-that a newspaper
here is defending the thieves, or that an
other newspaper has inaugurated a cam
paign against them? Those who arc 20
disposed may take their choice. THE
LEADER is unalterably determined to up
hold the side of right and justice and
point out the dangers of the situa-
ton. This paper is not responsible
for the prevalence of range
thIeving but, in our judgment, it would be
untrue to itself as a public newspaper if
it did not enter its protest, with what
vigor it may command, against the pre-
vailing lawlessness on the ranges and the
quasi approval OF 1t which is being ex-
hiblted in certain quarters. A dangerous
disease treated in~telligcntly, vigorously
and in proper time may be mastered; left
too long it becomes Incurable. In range
thieving Wyoming is confronted by a ser
ious problem. Ii 1t is to be passively re-
garded, If it is permitted to grow as rap
idly IN the coming year as 1t has in the
past. Wyoming cannot much longer be
available to men who run their stock on
the open ranges and they must either sell
out at a sacrifice to men engaged in the
business elsewhere or remove their herds
to new ranges. This would mean an adj
dition of 25 per cent to the taxation of
those remaining in Wyoming and we are
very much inclined to doubt that the
thieves would bear a great share of it.
1--WE believe" says the Republican,
that cattle stealing can be stopped by
legitimate means and that the rustler can
be driven from the ranges by the legally
constituted officers OF the law. We think
jurics can be Eound that will convict stock
thieves upon substantial proof, but the
cattlemen will hasten this very desirable
end by ceasing their talk about hanging
and killing and by muzzliug the indis-
Greet newspapers that are trying to pave
the way for tho temperance of Judge
Lynch. If they do not do this the peo-
pie may be in the humor to let the cattle
men go without protest
What the Republican may or may not
believe in the face OF well known contra
dictory iacts is n matter of very little mo-
ment. So far the peace officers nave not
been able, or at least have not succeeded
in coping with the difficulties of the sltua-
ton. So far, except in this county, and
that only recently, iuries have not been
found to convict cattle thieves on sub
stantial' evidence. The only talk of
Lynch law which We have lately seen has
been in the Republican and papers of like
ilk, which tacitly uphold the outlaws.
The situation is one which demands Wig
orous action. In all parts of the state
the line should be strongly marked be-
tween the cattle thieves and the law-abid-
ing people. A healthy public SEN
timent should be aroused and
in this work, as the Denver
Republican has well shown. the decent
newspapers must lead the van. Regarding
the question solely from a selfish stand
point the newly admitted state of Wyom-
ing cannot stand a sudden loss of one
fourth of its present assessablc valuation
it cannot afford to lose an industry
which contributes more to its taxable
wealth Than all the railroad and telegraph
lines in the state. This is our view of the
matter but if the public opinion of the
state is otherwise then the result which
the Laramie paper seems to look forward
to with great eQuanimity will be realized,
viz: the humiliation Of the cattle industry
in the state.
Under these conditions such a result is
inevitable and the sooner it Is generally
realized the better it will be for all con-
cprned,