Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-02-14
TO LEASE GOVERNMENT LANDS.

N,'h W. 90, IboaaS
ing lands Of the west" The bill pro-
vides that such OF the public lands
west of the Goth meridian OF longi-
tude (which includes all west Of a
line drawn through the Dakotas, Ne
braska, etc. which shall, in thejudg-
ment of the secretary Of agriculture
ut Washington, be more valuable for
grazing than for agriculture, may be
leased to stockmen for grazing Mt an
annual rental Of not less than one
cent an acre for n period OF ten years.
The bill further provides that these
leased lands shall Mt once be with
drawn from filing and entry under
the land laws OF the United Stat ties,
and that the lease may be renewed.
The above are the main features OF
the bill. which will be made a law
unless the people OF the west awake
to the danger. No doubt the large
stOckmcn Of the west favor the bill
and will have n lobby In Washington
to urge its passage.
1t IL true there are thousands OF
acres Of land In Montana that are at
present unfit for agricultural pur-
poses, and from which the govern
ment derivesn no revenue, which would
be gobbled up under the leasing priv
ilege. But we believe under such a
law n great many abuses would arise
which would be detrimental to the
state In preventingfurther settlement
as well us working an injury To the
settlers already here. We believe il
would prevent the agricultural
growth OF this state and work al in
jury to small stock owners.
Under the provisions Of this law
leased public lands would be with
drawn from settlement and The en-
listing public land laws practically
nulllfied. Leasing the land at one
cent an acre Is cheaper than owning
1t. But M we have said, the abuses
Of the privilege and the indirect in
jury that would result to settlers
and to the state are matters for seri.
Gus concern. The leasing system il
repugnant to our institutions and II
un-American In principle, as 1t par
takes too much Of landlordism.
Even the plan of leasings tatelunds
is proving al injury to some Of our
settlers in cutting off access to water.
Upon this point the Great Falls Tri-
bune in n recent article saws:
The whole system of leasing land from the
state or the United States is wrong and dctri-
mental to healthy agricultural growth. II one
has any doubt OF the fact, take a look at the re-
suits that have followed the leasing Of the
state lands already under the jurisdiction of
the state of Montana. Stockmen in this vicin-
ity have leased narrow strips of land IN both
sides of running streams, selected at their die
tation by the state officials, and so practically
control hundreds Of thousands of acres lying
back of these streams which become useless To
any one else because there is no access to
water for them. No safeguards or modifica-
tons attached TO a leasing law will be worth a
brass fathing to protect the small farmer IN
his rights against wealthy cattle syndicates.
What sort of a fight would a German or Scan
dinavian immigrant, without money or friends
be able to make to protect his rights If he in
trudes on the broad domains desired by the big
"A. .... -. a.,I gnta.faras l,.,s.l tl,at. - .,.
or profits. He would soon be compelled to
abandon the attempt to farm among lands
leased by cattle men. No one blames the cat
tie men for looking out for their own interests.
II is not for their interests to have the country
settled up by farmers and small land holders.
II is for the interest of the state 20 have the
small land owner and farmer here. Ten farm.
ers cultivating 1000 acres of bench land or irri-
gated lands are worth more TO the state than a
cattle syndicate hat grazes over 10000 acres
Of land.
The same complaint Is heard In this
county I'm n instance not over ten
miles from Lewistown. Even II the
lessee complies strictly with the law
the rights given him work a serious
injury to Others. But fortified In
that right he has little concern about
his neighbor.
We believe the present system OF
giving every one al equal right To
the public domain IL the snfest plan.
Cattle and sheep by the millions are
fattened ON the grasses that grow
on the public lands and SO far there
has been hut little friction and crowd.
ing. To accord any onespecial privi-
leges because they have the means to
lease ond fence lands we believe
would work an injury to the great
majority.
In Montana cattle bands are con-
stantly becoming smaller and we be-
lieve IL Is being demonstrated that
men who run small bands OF sheep
are realizing more for their labor and
Investment, while certninly uhegreat-
err number engaged In the business
are Of more benefit to the state and
community. While we take pride in
our large outfits and desire to zee
them prosper we believe it would be
better for all concerned II the pro-
posed law is defeated and our
representatives In congress should
he urged to do all In their power to
prevent It's passage.