The state herald., 1892-01-29

isNoNio N' ~ NtO VIII GC VIC JuNsGo
in dccidiug npon tho question as to
whether land IL arid or not. If this
question should ne left to the state of
Colorado 10 decide, it is an easy matt r
to tell what that decision would be as
made by the cattle men, ditch compan-
les and irrigation statesmen. These
?arties who control the legislation of
the state havc repeatedly declared
against farming in eastern Colorado
and, judging by their past actions, they
would DO only too glad OF II chance to
stop the settlement of tho eastern part
of tfc state by farmers. Even the Ro-
publican shows its leaning OH this
question when il says: "lf 1t can be
shown that the land in their part Of
the state is not arid, it would not he
included in the proposed grant, Why
should it devolve upon the settlers in
eastern Colorado to show this fact. by
what process of reasoning does the Re
publican arrive at the conclusion that
the burden of proof is upon the settlers
OF eastern Colorado. The most natur-
al way to look ut this matter is that
the burden Of proof is upon those
claiming the land arid, TO prove their
claim. The Republicans claim that
even, if this land should be included
in the grant, the interests of prospect
I've settlers would be amply protected.
may be correct when looking at The
matter from the standpoint of the cap
itslis,. Tho riglitof The prospective
settler to purchase the land from syn
dicalcs and land companies at II fancy
price would undoubtedly be protected,
but that is not exactly the kind OF pro-
lection the residents of eastern Coloru-
do desire to offer 10 prospective settlers
As TO the ability and Willingness of
the state powers that be, to look after
the land interest of the state, there is
no question, but tho settlers of eastern
Colorado, Judging by past experience,
very seriously question The willingness
Of the state powers TINT be, to handle
the public lands in n manner that will
be Tor the most rapid development of
this part of the state. There is diff.
ference between the general govern
ment and the state control of this land.
The general government is not EN-
gagged in the cattle business while Cal
orado, judging by the actions of the
representatives of the people, is at
least controlled by the cattle men an.
their friends. II is but recently ,ha,
the matter WIS tested in the state leg
islature. Tue settlers of eastern Colo
rado asked for local option herd law
and. although there are counties in
this part of the state settled up by
farmers and only two or three cattle
men in the county, yet the legislature
was so completely under the control
OF the cattle interests that the herd
law bill was stranSled in the hands of
the committee. 1t is not ut all strange
that the settlers OF eastern Colorado do
not wish 10 see the public land 90 into
the hands Of the state when the state
legislature, in order to favor n few cat
tlemen in eastern Colorado, disregards
the rights and interests Of thousands
of farmers in this part of
the state. When the representatives
Of -.is- .,s.e i,ave shown ls their nc.
tons tlIai the farm interests ofeastcri
Colorado shall not DO Disseminated
against in the interests Of Il few cattle
men, then one great objection to the
provisions Of the arid land bill will
have been removed, but, under tho
present state of affairs. the people nf
eastern Colorado are opposed to the
passage of the bill.