The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1899-12-15
IMPER1AL1sM RAMPANT.

Some people effect to despise and
dispsrage all those who declare that
there is a strong imperiRIistic tendency
in the administration of the national
affairs under President Mckinley. The
fact is that the administration of
President Harrison was guilty Of acts
that justified the same charge, and that
during President CIeveland's second
term his administration was open TO
the same allegation. There has been a
strong imperialistic tendency in the
three last administrations two Of which
have been republican and one demo-
cratic.
According to published reports at
the time under President Harrison's
administration there was what was
known at the time as the wyoming
cattle war" The wealthy cattle men
determined to exterminste the small
cattle owners. They organized an
armed force of 80 men, QUILTED thor
oughIy for their murderOUs business.
They we're we'll mounted, had baggage
wagon, mess wagon, ammunition
wagon, ambulance, a commanding Of
hcer and a surgeon with them.
They first began operations in John
son county, Wyoming. In the night
they surrounded the @K. c." ranch,
owned by one Champion and Ray, cap
tured two trappers stopping with them,
and murdered the proprietors. Sheriff
Angus, Of johnson county, with 800
deputies surrounded them. He had
wired Gov. Barber for the militia but
was refused, and so proceeded with his
deputies. As be was about to take the
assassins into custody without the aid
Of the militia, the governor became al
armed for the safety Of his friends, and
telegrsphing to EIkins, then secretary
Of war under Harrison, Col Van Horn
with the Ninth cavalry was ordered
from Fort Mckinney to the scene Of
disturbance, and took charge Of the
prisoners.
The only witnesses in the case were
the two old trappers, and they, at their
own request, we're placed in the John
son county Jail for safety. Subsequent
" they we're kidnapped from this place
Of ssfe-keepinR and taken by United
States deputy marshaIs out Of the state
and across Nebraska to Omaha, where
a writ was sworn out before q United
States commissioner against them, for
selling liquor to Indians. They were
taken most Of the way in the night,
we're srraigned in the night, released
on straw bail, and spirited out Of the
country. The prosecution collapsed,
Of course, as there was no evidence
against them They were wealthy cat
tie owners and one Of the number a
state senator. The people Of johnson
county petitioned President Harrison
that justice should be done in the case
but nothing ever came Of it. The pris-
Oners we're taken TO Cheyenne, WyO.,
and the case was dismissed for lack OF
evidence.
Another case, different entirely, IN
der Harrison's administration, but
showing a similar tendency: What was
known as the Billy MeGarrahan case,
was pending before the department Of
the interior and before congress for
nearly thirty-hve years. McGarrahan
was q '49er, and had bought q Spanish
grant. Some one found q valuable
quicksilver mine upon it and jumped
his claim He had paid $1,000 for the
land, and as all Spanish grants had to
come Ia review before the secretary Of
the interior, be had his case properly
entered and got MS first set Of papers
Sis shack vas raided aud the papers
.Ost or stolen, and be found q serious
contest on his hands Once President
Lincoln, having examined the case,
ordered his papers made out. Twice,
secretaries OF the interior had reported
.svorsbly on his case, but each time
zone influence baked the proceedings. ]
Near the close Of President Harrf- I
IOn's administration, and near the close I
# the session OF congress, both houses 7
lasssd bin allowing McGsrrahan to !
loms into the court Of claims This /