The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-27
STEERS OF EVERY KIND.
How to Bring the Live Stock In
dustry to Maximum of Profit.
AS TO THE PUBLIC LANDS
Governor Richards Of Wyoming Says
They Ought to Be Coded to the States.
Bulls, Cows, Calves, Steers,
Sheep and Other Beasts.

Denver, Jan. 26-Chairman Springer
called the National Stock Growers con-
vention to order at 10 o'clock this morn
ing. There was full attendance of
delegates. A committee was chosen of
one from every state represented to
draft a constitution and bylaws.
Among those on the committee were
J. d. Wood, Idaho; r. c. Judson, Ore
gon; J. A. Smith, Utah; Paul McCor-
mack, Montana; w. c. Irving, Wyo-
ming. The first address was on sta
tistics as to the Value of Live Stock
and Prospective Condition" by j. III.
Neff, editor of the Droyers' Telegram,
Kansas City. He spoke enthusiastically
upon the probable effect of the Dingley
bill, especially on the sheep industry.
He closed with a prediction OF pros
perity for the future.
Governor Richards of Wyoming next
spoke on "Cession of Arid Public Lands
to States" He took the position that
not only arid, but all public lands
should be given to the states. They
would then be claimed sooner and be
put in the hands of actual settlers.
Speaking of the arid lands he said: Il
have come to the conclusion there Is
but one way for us to work out the
salvation, and that is through the
transfer of the lands to the several
states and then make 1t matter of
patriotism or state pride to make the
most of the domain. The only objec-
ton which has ever been urged is not
based on facts, but on belief that the
states themselves are not to be trusted.
Those who assume this position also
assume that the administration of the
national land office is efficient and sat
isfactory. l believe they are as much
mistaken in their belief regarding the
frCt "a G thew arronaDIlE concerning
the facts of the second. The truth is
that the administration of the general
land office, In the disposal of the arid
lands and in it's neglect to do anything
for the conservation of the water, has
been an unmitigated failure. Two bills
for the cession of the lands have been
introduced in the present congress, one
by Congressman Shafroth of Colorado
and one by Congressman Hartman or
Montana. The present commissioner
of the general land office opposed both
these bills, and If his reports are any
indication, will oppose any measure
providing for the transfer Of these
lands to the state"
Governor Richards said the money
received from the sale of public lands
had been very largely used in states
other than those in which the lands
were situated to the advantage of the
older at the expense of the younger
states. Continuing, he said every arid
state ought to control it's timber lands.
The states now control the streams
which rise therein; they ought to be
given the opportunity to protect and
preserve the fountains which feed these
streams. tA@ls
IF it is the desire of the arid land
states to secure class of settlers who
will engage in agriculture, 1t is neces-
sary that state aid in some form should
be afforder them. Reservoirs should
be constructed and maintained by the
state and the waters distributed under
state supervision. That the leasing of
these lands would follow the cession of
the public lands to the states the re-
cent experience of Wyoming has dem
onstrated. In satisfaction of the dona-
lions of land to the state upon it's adj
mission to the union, grazing lands
have been principally selected. Every
acre has been leased at an annual rem
tai of cents per acre.
Elwood Mead state engineer of Wyo-
ming, spoke on How Best to Prevent
Clashing Between Sheep and Cattlemen
on the Ranges" He favored the leas-
| ing of all public lands and the breaking
| UP of the ranges as means OF pre-
venting constant warfare between cat
| tlemen and Sheepmen.
r. NJ. Allen of Ames. Neb.. delivered
an address on 1.-The Fattened Steer"