The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-02-26

to Urge Upon Secretary Morton the
Justice and EAPed,ency of Restoring
the National Quarantine Line, as It wa
Last Year-What Arguments are Urged
in Behalf of the Desired Action.
Guthrie, o. T., Feb 25.-CSpeciaD-
The stockmen Of western Oklahoma
were represented here yesterday by W.
E. Bolton, who called on Governor
~.enfrow TO secure his cooperation IN
occurring the restoration Of the quar-
antine line as it was last year through
Oklahoma
The governor is in receipt also OF the
following letter and petition and has
forwarded them TO Secretary Morton
with his guarantee to preserve the line
from violation If the secretary will re-
sore 1t, which under the circumstan-
ccs seems highly probable:
Wood ward, o. T, Feb. "a, 1896
lies Excellency. Governor ". c. Rem
frow. Guthrie, =.
Dear -+-~ln compliance with the re-
-~c ut number of the representative
stockmen of the counties in western
Oklahoma, whose interests are directly
and seriously affected by the recent
changes of the quarantine line by Sec
rotary Morton, l herewith submit a.
brief statement of facts and request
your earnest cooperation in securing
ne restoration Of said quarantine line
Icy the honorable secretary of agricul-
ture to the bounds laid down on or
about February Is 1895.
The national quarantine line was,
for the first time since its establish
ment, laid through Oklahoma territory
last year, beginning at point Of inter
section Of the Arkansas line, thence
running in a southwesterly direction
following the border lines Of counties
TO a point on Red river near the north
east corner Of Hardman county, Texas.
tF'or full description of this line see
map issued by The secretary Of agricul-
tu-e 1880.
The effect Of such revision OF said
quarantine line was the immediate
ztimlus TO active development of live
stock interests north and west Of said
Inc through Oklahoma territory The
danger of infection from splenetic or
spanish fever, was reduced 10 the min
mum. Better grades Of stock were
purchased by ranchmen and farmers.
Grade bulls were introduced and the
active benefits OF admission 10 the COM
petitive feeder markets at the various
stock yards infused new life into an
industry which constituted one of the
chief sources of wealth in Oklahoma.
During the summer of 1895 the Unit
ej States district attorney, upon the
proper information. filed charges
against, and had arrested for violation,
offenders who had driven cattle across
The national quarantine line as afore-
mentioned and described. Upon going
10 trial. however, II was discovered
th2c no penalty had been provided by
shc territory Of Oklahoma for viola
ton Of such line and in the absence
Of such penalty the cases had to be
dismissed 1t is thought that this con-
stitUtes the grounds upon which the
recent action of the secretary is based
ia removing the line back 10 the Kan
s4s boundary, thereby placing the en-
tire territory Of Oklahoma in the in
fecteI area. and thereby also prohib-
iti1E the advantages Of last season in
making shipments as well as subject
ing them 10 the added danger of in
fectton.
we beg TO submit that the area s
defined by the line last year is, in the
udgment OF those VINO have made a
study Of the question from a disiuter-
ested standpoint. VIZ: the exchanges Of
the various yards, is not infected in
any manner and may be included with
IN the safe area" with advantage TO
each inhabitant thereof.
The fact that the quarantine line as
established by the legislature Of Okla
homa tends 20 prevent infection is n
& measure, only, advantageous, from
the reason that thu stock yards which
constitute the principal markets are
governed by the rules laid down by the
secretary of agriculture 50 far as in
lection Is concerned. Therefore, stock
which may h. perfectly free from in
lection cannot be shipped To the yards
except for immediate slaughter when
shipped from below the natural line
and the competitive fetSeder markets
are thereby closed to them, and since
ali shipments cannot wholly consist of
tops the cattle which might be sold
to feeders for grazing must be sacri-
feed. thus imparing the profits in cat
lie growing where no actual necessity
therefore exists.
In view OF these facts the stockmen
OF Oklahoma who are above the line
as il was defined last season earnestly
y
restoration Of said line.
'-NEh your Co-opera ton with the
secretary Of agriculture there need he
no violation. as. under the Oklahoma
statues, you are empowered To act in
conjunction with him in securing its
Observance.
Trusting that YOU VIII take such i'm
mediate steps A. VIII az once secure the
results herein prayed, to-wit: the re-
storadon OF The national quarantine
line As il existed last year,
i am respectively.
WILL E. BOLTON.
Publisher Live Stock Inspector"
THE PETITION.
The following petition accompanies
Che governors letter 10 Secretary Nor
ton:
Woodward. O. T. Feb. -. 1895.
To HIS ENceIlency. Governor W. .. Rem
rev. Guthrie, .. T.
We. the uudersi Ened. respectively
request YOU 10 use every possible eff
Tort 10 secure a restoration Of the ma
tional quarantine line as defined Feb
Iuary i. 1895.
we further represent that by reason
C The recent change in said line our
markets are lowered by reason OF hav-
'.S tn ship only for immedia te slaught-
e, that We are wholly barred from the
is-a7r markets; that We have grade
Ct---~ Wa.cl VIII suffer by reason Of
l-e recent action changing said line
an. liat me danger OF infection. which
has here;ofo0e been reduced TO the
minimum now coufronts US, threat
V-lag the destruction and loss which
VIII require years 10 replace.
Ne lurtner represent that the line
al last year includes an area which is
perfectly safe" and its being included
above the line cannot injure anyone