North Park union., 1900-04-20

Colorado Stock Crow
ers Meet In Denver
And Torrn q Permanent
Organization. =.

A large and cnthusia site meeting of
Colorado stock growers met in the
Tabor Grand opera house in Denver on
the 9th inst and were in session three
days
They discussed the land leasing ques-
ton in its results on the small stockmen
of the state and also the terms OF the
bills pending in congress concerning
the leasing of grazing lands. After con-
siderable discussion and mature deliber-
alton the following resolutions were
unanimously adopted as read: =.
Whereas, We have observed with no small
concern the efforts that have recently been
made to secure a national law for the leasing
for grazing purposes Of tho public domain; and
after giving the subject thorough Investigation
and full consideration We arc of opinion that
such n law would be unwise and injurious for
the following reasons:
First-The value of agricultural land in Colo
RADIO is materially enhanced by tho frco range
privileges Guaranteed by the general govern
mcnt by its time-honorcd policy; and to now
deprive tho settlers of that privilege would be
a breach of faith on the part OF the general
government and cause wanton depreciation
Of property valuos created and vested under
that pledge
Second-It would bo impossible for small
stockmen under the varied conditions OF the
ranges OF the arid Wes. to fence or otherwise
protect themselves in their lohses, or that their
ranges must sooner later be absorbed and
devoured by large and syndicate stock owners.
irl- 1.,,.,
small herds must result in restricted com petl.
tion in tho purchase Of farm products, and will
bring about Il decrease in prices which entails
tho loss of former values, tho buying up Of the
small ranches and farms by powerful corpora.
tions, and tho final extinction of tho ycomunry.
Fourth-1t will close up the avenues by which
all stock growers havo climbed from fow
head to large herds aud deprive Others OF that
opportunity which we have so ha ppily improved,
and which all citizens of tho states and terri
tories of the union have, up to tho present time,
enjoyed.
Fifth-It will concentrate the wealth occa-
stoned by the free grazing of stock upon the
public domain into tho hands of tho fow and
cause the ruin OF the many.
Si1th--1t must bring endless and ruinnus lit-
CATION or manifest injustice between stock
owners, whose herds commingle, and between
which no adequate lines can be drawn or prior
ity Of occaBion established.
Seventh-Tho uso OF tho public domain for
grazing purposes undor tho present systsm is
moro satisfactory tnan the proposed thaf..so to
tho loase system.
Eishth-Tho leasing of the public lands will
result in the withdrawing from settlement OF
largo areas of the public domain, and il enact ed
will disposscss debar and forever shut out the
homcseekcr from the enjoyment of his rights
and privileges in the public domain, thus bring
ing to a stnndstill the progress, development
and reclamation of the Western states, and cast
pail of stagnation, retrogression and decay
over one-third of tho total area OF the nation.
Ninth-lts tendency will be to give an undue
power in the distribution OF such lands into the
hands of the secretary of the interior.
Tenth-The said legislation, II enacted into
law, will give TOT favored few powers, priyi-
leecs and opportunities which OF right belong
to tho many, aad will enablo the rich and pow
orful to opprcss, harass and destroy tho weak
and helpless, aad will discourage, handicap and
deter the home builder and tho pioneer who in
every era OF our couu.rys history, has been the
support strength and dependence OF the ma ion; /;
therefore, be ii
Resolved, That we denouncc all proposed
lease laws as un-.imc fican and contrary to the
interest and devolopmrr; of our state, and car
Mostly protest against the enactment of any
national law for tho leasing of The public
domain, thereby depriving resident r. -nors and
homeseekcrs from enjoy ing tho privileges chat
our government has siyon TO them Cor several
generations and plaguoinc the people with the
evils above SGT forth.
Resolved, That tho same objection must pre-.
vail against the session of the public domain by
tho general government to tho state, agninst
which We earnestly rrotnst; and be it further
Rcsolred That this convention tako such
further action MS will procure the discrimination
of that protest and the reasons therefor through
out the territory affected, and request the
cooperation of its inhabitants; that
these resolutions hp published in all stato 'end
local papers, and that copy bo delivered to
each membor of the congress Of the United
States: and we hereby invite the oarnost co
operation of ull stock growers in tho Western
states and territories
A permanent organization was effect
ed with the following officers: President,
William L. Grubb of Garfield county;
secretary H. d. Williamson of Eagle
county; treasurer, A. A. Mcintyre of
Lincoln county; correspon ding secre-
tary, Robert A. Palmer of Douglas
county.
Executive committee-C. NJ. Ham
mond of Delta county; A. B. Foster of
Pitkin county; Charles w. Bowlcs of
Arapahoe county; j. o. Dostall Of Lin
coin county.
The stock growers, now being in form
of u permanent organization, ARG in
shape to discuss this question in all its
bearings and use their influence, not
only where it will do the most good; but
in such way that no injustice may be
done to anyone.
North park was ably represented at
the Denver meeting by Messrs, J: E.
Wyckoff and J. w. Everhard, who both
did good service for their own and
neighbors' interests.