Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-03-05
FORESTRY RESERVE.
Ex-President Cleveland's Forestry Order
Is Now In Full Force and Effect.


The period for which ex-President
Cleveland's forestry order was suspend
ed having expired on the lst inst, the
order is therefore now In full force and
effect. While it is fact that there is
much complaint among our people in
relation to this order, it is in reality
less Objectionable, and will be far less in
furious in its effects than many suppose.
1t is apparent that very erroneous ideas
with reference to its effects upon the
region embraced in the reserve are
prevalent in this community, many en-
tertaining the idea that the rights of
settlers will be so utterly disrsgarded as
to render it fairly impossible to main
tain residence and that under its
baneful effects, this county would be
dspopulated and blotted from the map
Of the state. A careful study Of the act,
and the prescribed rules and regulations
promulgated by Commissioners Her
mann, and approved by Secretary Bliss
June 3oth, 1897, very effectusly dispels
such erroneous ideas.
Under existing regulations the juris-
diction, both civil and criminal, over
persons within the reserve shall not be
affected or changed, except SO far as the
punishment of offenses against the
United States therein is concerned, the
intent and meaning of the provision
being that the state shall rot lose its
jurisdiction, nor the inhabitants thereof
their rights and privileges as citizens,
or be absolved from their duties as
citizens Of the state. Erroneous ideas
are also prevalent in regard to the
abridgement of the right to acquire
lands, cut timber. etc.
Under the rules and regulations
promulgated persons are not prohibited
from entering upon the forest reserva-
ton for all proper and lawful purposes,
including that of prospecting, locating
and developing the mineral resources
thereof in compliance with the rules
and regulations covering forest reserya.
tions. The waters may be used for
domestic, mining, milling or irrigation
purposes under the laws of the state or
the United States, and the rules and
regulations established hereunder.
Schools and churches may be main
tanned upon any part of the reserve, and
for that purpose two acres for each
school, and one acre for each church is
allow ed. Private or county roads may
be maintained, and the right Of way in
and across the reserve for irrigating
canals, bitches, fumes and pipes, reser-
""i-s nlNHtric power purposes, and for
pipe lines VIII ue supJec 10 existing Ia~s-
and regulations The pasturing Of stock
on the reserve will not be interferred
with so long as it appears that injury is
not being done to the forest growth,
and the rights Of others is not thereby
The law provides, that
the secretary Of the interior may per.
NIT, under regulations to be prescribed
by him, the use of timber and stone
free of charge, by bona fde settlers,
residents and prospectors for
for frewood, fencing, build
ings, mining, prospecting and other
domestic purposes such timber to be
used within the state or territory re-
spectively where such reservation may
be located.
Wi h view to the better understand
ing Of the situation under which we are
now placed, and in compliance with the
wishes expressed by numerous local
readers of the CHRONICLE, we have de-
cded to publish the full text of the law,
and the rules and regulations pertain
ing thereto, part Of which will appear
in our issue of next week and the
balance in the issue of the week follow
ing.