, 1897-04-19
MDAD'S MEASURE.
THE GREAT BENEFITS WHICH
WOULD ACCRUE THROUGH
THE LAND GRANT.
A Portion OF the Argument Which Has
Been Presented to Justify the Peti-
ton to COngress-The Matter is
Now in the Hands OF Our Congress
sional Delegation.

The movement of State Engineer
Mead. backed by the board Of control.
Governor Richards and Secretary OF
State Burdick. to secure the cession OF
1000, 900 acres OF public land to the state
for grazing purposes, is a matter which
is now attracting attention throughout
the west. The fact that the applications
for the rental of lands for grazing pur-
poses has far exceeded the supply shows
that the state could put them % good use
and derive a revenue which could be
used to advantage in carrying into effect
the good laws already passed.
In the petition prepared by the state
engineer, and which is now in the hands
of u representatives in congress, a
strong argument is made in favor of the
suggested measure. The engineer says:
THAT the prosperity OF Wyoming
farmers, the growth OF agriculture and
the value. OF irrigated land, in this state,
will be greatly enhanced by uniting
with each reclaimed farm control Of a
portion of the contiguous grazing land.
That the success and security Of stock
raisers will be promoted and continued
and disastrous controversies over range
rights averted, if immediate provision
be made for leasing OF a portion Of
these grazing lands, in comparatively
small tracts, to our farmers and resident
stockmen. None Of these things can be
accomplished under present laws.
1.-The conditions which control the
supervision of our public water supply
are equally unsatisfactory. The carry
ing out of the state water laws requires
a larger expenditure than can be pro-
vided by direct taxation. Wyoming's
efficient and comprehensive irrigation
code has been highly commended by
both state and national authorities, but
many of it's provisions. at present, are
imperative because Of lack Of means
to enforce them. Although the state
has made as liberal provision for this
work as its revenues will permit. and.
| dltuOu6u LILO u1OIlCy ud6 bCCu CAPCIuCA
with the utmost economy, it has been
inadequate to do the work Of urgent
necessity. The adjudication OF
old water rights has not kept with the
creation Of new ones. We are not able
to locate and map new bitches, much
less assist in, or direct, the proper loca-
ton of those projected. II this con-
dition of affairs is to be continued it will
result in disastrous controversies over
water rights, a great waste Of money
through the improper location Of bitches
and great loss Of water by their unneces-
sary multiplication.
ITO enable the state to inaugurate
needed reforms, in our land laws, and
carry out the beneicent provisions OF
our water laws, we respectfully solicit
your aid in securing from the general
government a grant of 5000, 900 acres OF
grazing land, to be given to the state in
trust in aid of irrigation. The title to
remain perpetually In the state, the land
to be leased to farmers and resident
stockmen, and the revenue arising there
from to constitute a trust fund, to be ex-
pended by the state to pay the expenses
Of the state administration Of its water
laws and to aid in the location and con-
struotio1 of irrigation works Of too
great cost for private enterprise.
"In support of the above we respect
fully submit the following:
THE reports Of the United States geo
logical survey show that 8 1000, 900 acres
OF this states surface are public graz
ing lands. These are TO- an open com
mon; there is no law for their manage
ment or disposal nor attempt made to
protect these pastures from over stock
ing and the consequent destruction OF
the native grasses which give them their
sole productive value. On the contrary
every condition favors and makes in
evitable this unfortunate result. This
is nc a matter Of conjecture but Of ex-
perience. The lessened growth OF
grasses in Wyoming, and the other arid
states, the enormous losses, which have
been sustained by the range industries,
~overstocking and insufficient winter pas
turage, leave no possible doubt as to
the result Of a continuance Of present
conditions. The destruction OF free tim
Der on the mountains is not more GER
tain than that OF free grass on the