The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1896-07-03
HTS FREE RANGE Law.
4 Ifpldrow Han Believes That Such a Law
Would Be Beneficial.
The Cattle Industry Certain to Build Up
the Country More Than Wheat
Raising Ever VIII.

Editor REPUBLIC: After having done
hard springs work putting in crop
Of wheat, oats, corn, etc, and now that
the time Of harvest has arrived, have
been called upon to sit down and con.
slider the prospect for the future. I
find that 1896 is nearly a repetition of
the past three years. This brings one
TO the awakening sense of something
got to be done" While thus looking
over my crop, then my wagon-bOWs,
then the wide expanse of buffalo grass,
to see what really must be done, l have
concluded if the people of Sherman
county we're willing l would take to
grass. So I have taken the liberty to
address you and ask the favor Of open
ing a discussion through your worthy
paper on the subject of free range.
There is not a farmer in the county,
I presume, that will differ with me
when say the fact has been fully de-
monstrated that we cannot make a
living by attempting, year after year,
to raise grain. In the face of this con
clusion drawn from Sherman county's
own premise, it follows that some other
branch of industry must be decided
upon or in reality We must take our
exit. In my opinion to give up to a
complete and unconditional surrender,
and leave one of the best stock coun-
tries in the world and say couldn't
make a living there, would not show
craw full of clear grit.
But under the existing law the ex-
pense of caring for as small a herd as
faFmerwould expect to trough through"
equals the profits. So the question
has come square before us-would it
not be advisable to ask our commits
sioners to repeal the herd law and
place in its stead a farmers free
range" Cries of treasonl treason! may
be heard from some, at the advancing
Of such an idea; but don't get hasty,
let US sit down and consider. There's
no hurry. Small grains gone. No
harvest. Let's have a chat before you
.'strike out to hunt work" 1t is con-
oeded by all that the man who has a
start in cattle and some pasture fence
with which to fence bis farm land, is
all right. But it is the man that has
no means Of his own to invest in stock
that should be considered. Right here
we might notice his inability to con
tiuue to farm for it would require
something for a living till he could
harvest his crop OF disappointment as
the case may be. He must either get
seed on shares to SOW, or buy it with
borrowed money at high rate of in
terest. On the other hand, this same
man could get some cattle to keep on
shares and make his living as he went
along and have a sure and steady in
come for his labor, which extensive
farming will not warrant. Just con-
slider this proposition and youwill find
that you would soon secure a nice start
in cattle of your own and store bills
will not have accumulated like they
do in exclusive farming. In regard to
fencing, it is held by some that one
would be compelled to go beyond his
means to make a lawful fence. This is
not the case for one can as well herd
his crops as his cattle, and can fence
as be is able.
Farmers are continually depending
upon few COWS for living and are
compelled to keep their children out
of school to herd them. Better have
the children herd the crops and be at
home where they can study their daily
lessons and not be exposed to violent
hail and other storms.
We must acknowledge as for US far
mers, so far as we have buried our tai
ent in the ground, and we are only
waiting for the sentence, "Take from
him that which he hath Now every
one hes his pet herd law. have mine.
That Is, that sheep and hogs should be
excluded from running at large. All
other stock should be allowed to run
at large except from eight o'clock in
the evening till FIVE o'clock in the
morning, when they should be corralled
OF subject to all damages without re-
gard to fences. A farmers free range,
and one that, in my opinion, is what we
want. am not in favor of a law that
xculd permit stock to run at large
plight and day, for horses and mules
viii get to be predatory and unruly if
allowed so to run.
It viii be necessary for a petition
containing q majority only Of the legal
voters Of the county to have the COM
missioners call an election, and a ma
:erity vote at the polls would decide.
Now I hope have wounded no ones
feelings by expressing my opinion so
freely on this subject, and hope to hear