The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-16
MEXICAN CATTLE.
How Kansas Can Afford to Fatten
Them.

Major Calvin Hood of Emporia who
is one of the best informed men
in the United States on
the cattle question and VINO
was a citizen of Kansas before the
state had taken a place among the fore
most states of the Union does not be-
lieve it would be a good plan for con-
gress to pass a law excluding Mexican
cattle from the United States. In con-
versation with Journal reporter Major
Hood gives the following terSe reasons
why such a law should not be passed;
Mexico is eminently a breeding cOun-
try for cattle but the animals do not
fatten well there. Kansas and all the
corn growing regions can better aiord
10 fatten cattle than to raise them. me
class of cattle that come from Mexico
into the United States do not Interfere
with the cattle we raise. They, now
ever fill q certain want and the product
is largely beneficial to the consumer of
moderate priced beef and for canning
purposes.
Kansas, part of Nebraska ard the
northwest want cheap cattle for grazing
and from there they go to the great
corn belt to be fattened for market. 1t
looks to me that if the greatest good to
the greatest number is to be considered
Mexican cattle will not be excluded by
an arbitrary duty.
The following editorial from the
Ieavenworth Times is on the same sub
ject:
I'm considering the question of ex-
Guiding Mexican cattle from this coun-
try by an exclusive duty it should be
remembered that many Kansas coun-
ties-EllswOrth for instance-haVe been
supported by this trade; that the aTgu-
ment q bout deterioration of the Ameri-
can breed is not valid, because the ami
mails are imported only to kill; that
two-thirds of the value is put on in this
country, and that the price of corn IS
raised by the trade. In Ellsworth cOun
ty during all the hard times the cattle
men have been paying the farmers 10
cents bushel for corn.
THE history of the Republican party
shows it's aim to have been to foster
American industry The object of the
party has been to stimulate rather than
depress. With the changing conditions
of modern business and the vast in
crease of many and diverse interests,
each peculiar industry, it's needs and
it's course. must be studied with care
The Republican party will continue to
give the protection to American indus
try that it has given in the past In
giving its time-hOnOrad remedy, high
duties, the Republicans should not be
like the country doctor, who, being ask
ed why he prescribed a certain medi-
cine to a sick child. answered that it
would throw the child into fits and he
was death on fits.
The course of Mexican cattle COM
ing to the United States, and particu-
larly to Kansas, if carefully studied.
shows that these cattle. although they
have a foreign name and are not born
in the United States, become thoroughly
nationalized before they are placed on
onr markets. Two dollars are expended
on them in the United States to one dol
lar of cost in Mexico.
These cattle eat the sorghum, the
kaffer corn and other roughness, grown
by the Kansas farmer, which but for
their presence would be a waste pro-
duct to be burned in the spring. These
cattle make a market for the farmers
corn at home, instead of his being
compelled to take what the corn ship
per is disposed to give. The farmer re-
ceives the cattle feeders price for his
product.
THE waste lost every year by Kansas