The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1900-03-07

Woodward, March 8. 1900
EDrToR LaADER-We homesteaders
In western Oklahoma are somewhat
amused, after reading Barnes great
toady speech to the cattlemen at their
convention at Ell Reno short time
ago, in which he promised 70 use his
efforts TO secure for them long leases
OF the public lands, when we compare
IL with what occurred In the United
States senate when Senator Carter pre-
sented a memorial from the governors
of all the territories except oklahoma
protesting against the passage Of such
q measure. But, as Senator Teller
correctly said, such legislation was
contrary 20 the policy OF the govern.
ment and would never be passed. OF
course these men are right and our
dear govy Is wrong. His speech shows
him in favor OF preventing the country
from being settled by homestead farm
ers by giving their rights aw,y 10 a
small number of men, mostly corpora
tions and non.residents, who will run
things to suit themselves.
Does Barnes ever think of the rush
OF immigration TO the west side@ Does
be know that over 500 new corners
have settled In Woodward county In
the last six months? Does he or does
he not know that three or four men
have fenced up vast tracts Of land in
this county in direct violation of law?
Does he not know that these cattle
king friends of his lease a few
sections of school land and at
once proceed to fence in from
fifty to one hundred thousand acres OF
land and claim Fit as their own. as
against the settler who comes here to
make a home. and who on occasion
have used government officials 70 scare
the actual settler off, so that th9y can
have uninterrupted possession of im~
mense tracts os land, that would today
be in cultivation by honest home seek
ers, but for such illegal acts as are
permitted TO be done by this class of
people backed by authority from teven
es high as theGovernor. Now IL Gov.
Barnes will just look on page 477-57s,
supplement 10 the u, s revised statues
vol. l, he will see what we want,
First: All public land left open to
home seekers.
Second; All parties ousted from
said lands, and their fences torn down
who have illegally and by fraud es-
tablished themselves thereon.
Third; Section lines recognized as
public roads rs prescribed by law,
Fourth: A fair enforcement of the
homestead law, and our local land
officers lacked up to an honest per
formsnce of their duties.
If MIR Barnes could have his wish
the lands would be leased through
special board ,of which he as Governor,
would doubtless be chairman. Long
leases would then be given TO any one
having the stuff to put up, of course
for his lease. The homestender would
be forced to move out, and then Mr..
Barnes and his dozen or so of lessees
would have HI of good time.
Now, IL the United States attorney
will do his duty, under the order made
by Judge Bayard Hainer at our last
term Of court. we will soon be rid OF
this class Of trespasserE on the public
lands. who are known as cattle bar
ons, and who do not only want the
earth, but tax laid on the farmers to
purchase them balloon free from
which they can view their possessions.
We don't live in Logan county and
legislation or executive orders made
TO suit that particular bailiwick don't
fit us, IL Mr.. Barnes will try and ex-
tend the range of his vision and look
west, he will probably discover what
he does not seem 10 know, that is.
that there is slch place as western
Oklahoma, and that 1t is peopled with
men who do and will resent TO the bit
ter end any trespass upon their legal
and constitutional rights.
While the act can never be consum-
mated yet the governor has shown his
disposition to throw in" with the
rich against the poor men who delve
in the soil that their little ones may
eat. We will not forget this parental
kindness upon the part of our govern
or, and win fall back on our constti-
tutional reservations, and talk about
IL ''out loud" We don't propose to
have any Kiowa and Comanche leas-
ing done In Western Oklahoma, unless
they ST , q balance and divide the
not" fairly. Yours truly,