La Junta tribune., 1900-10-17
Letter to Hon. F. Z. sheridanl

y
for calling my attention to the placard
issued by the Fusionists respecting my
position concerning the leasing Of pub
lie lands.
am now. and ever since have been
in the Senate have been. unalterabay
opposed TO all plans and schemes and
measures OF every sort whatever look
Ing TO the ceding Of the public domain
TO the different states. or the leasing
Of the public lands OF the United States.
In the campaign four years ngo and
two years ago ! opposed any such
measure. my attention being especially
directed TO II by the fact that the Fu-
sionist congressman from the First dis
trict favored the cetiing OF the public
lands. During the last few years
have written hundreds Of letters to con-
stituents stating my position upon this
question. Ny efforts have always been
directed TO securing free range for the
small holders OF stock.
The statements In the circular which
you enclosed are wholly false. The
stcckmen- In Baca county nre greatly
annoyed and injured by the fact that
cattle from Texas and Kansas are
driven on TO the range In that county,
TO the great detriment OF Colorado
stock owners. The leading citizens OF
that county Joined in a request,
through Judge Northcutt. district judge
OF the Third district. that should In
troduce bill. local TO Baca county on
~. by the terms OF which the small
owner OF stock was said to be amply
protected, to relieve them from this
burden ! introduced the bill by re
quest. az was my duty to my constitu-
ents. At the same time l Informed
Judge Northcuft and other friends that
the bill could not pass. as 1t was con-
trary to the position which the Repub-
lican members OF the Senate took on
this question and to my own position
upon the leasing Of public lands.
The bill was introduced and referred
to the committee on public land. ]
stated my position on the subject to
the chsirmnn OF the committee. as !
state II here. The bill was reported
from the committee adversely and was
!ndeiinitely postponed; thus the matter
was finally d!sposed OF. This Is all
there Is to say Of the Baca land l,ill.
In this connection I desire to call
your attention to the plank in the plat
form adopted by the Republican party
ip It's state convention n Denver on
8eptembef 18th, respecting the leasing
Of public lands, a plank which had
q share In framing:
Opposes Leasjag PxblIe LasAs.
.The Republican party has been the
constant aud ever faithful friend Of
the home builder and settler In the
WeAt. II believes In free homes for
free men. II was the father Of the ben
eflcent homestead law and secured its
enactment against the bitter opposition
f~n Ia. ma ri m
Republican legislation gave land to the
landless and homes to the homeless.
and that party will continue to be the
steadfast champion and defender Of the
home bniIder and the pioneer.
1--WE favor only such changes In ex-
istiug land laws as have for their OBJ
ject the advancement OF the welfare
and prosperity Of the settler. We are
unalterably opposed to any legislation
that would deprive the farmer or small
holder OF stock from the unrestricted
une Of the public domain OF the United
States, and TO all legislation heretofore
introduced having that In view.
I'VE are heartily in favor OF national
legislation which will aid IN the con-
xtruction OF irrigation canals and reser-
vOlrs wherever needed In Colorado.
1--WE believe that the perpetuity Of
American institutions and the future
destiny Of our country rests largely OH
the shoulders OF our laboring classes,
consequently we believe In surrounding
the home Of the laboring man with ev
cry protection known to the law Of the
land
A slander travels fast, but have NO
doubt that friends win zee that the lies
cnntnlncd In the circular referred to are
oyerfnken By this statement OF my Do
sfffon on this question.
herewith attach Judge Northcutt's
1etfef. which states the exact situation
surrounding the preparation and intro
iuciion Of the Baca county bill. Yours
very truly.
Jolee Nogtheutt's Litter.
District Court Chambefsl
Third judicial District Of Colorado
Jesse @. Northcutt. Judge.
snIi T1Iisld.d. Colorado. SEPT, is. 1900
Hon. e. o. Wolcott. Denver, Colorado:
Dear 6enator-1 have Just read IN In
teryieW from Governor Thomas In last
eyrnlnxs huue Of the Denver Post. In
whSeh II attacks you for youf acfion In
infxnducing In the SenAie what he re-
0cFs 10 % the ~Baca land bill"
Delng more familiar with The origin
a. the IN IN question, ard The coodi-
d., abuses and burdens which sug-
eesesd The thought Of drafting ". than
yuQWho introduced II at my Request
I ~ that ! should advise Jon Of the
n the cpeninG permit ne to ~ that
y0e are At liberty 10 mAke any uss Of
80 eo0mun1cattcn which may gug.
Ss ~ assun1R - 49, I ea~fn aalv Ulah apDv
- fn1eaAed q . lnudable undeftak-
- - ian whese Il be3oagk and not
- . eee q ne manu coGnties
SGSfn Goond ~ ogYnni1at1eo an4 efea-
i111 &l6K1nG ~ boom Aayn ~ tn Great
1S1S - flnaaenan nna Knnni6 n II