CanÌƒon City record. [volume] (CanÌƒon City, Colo.) 1883-192?, 1900-10-18
THE BACAC0UNTY LAND BILL
WOLCOTT'S REAL POSITION
ON THE LEASING OF PUBLIC LANDS
He Opposes Ceding Public Lands the States Leasing
Them Position of the Party Shown by Its State Plat
form "A Letter From Judge Northcut.


Denver, October 8, 1900.
Hon. +. E. Sheridan:
Dear Sir-I am greatly obliged to you
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 l have been
in the Senate have been, unalterably
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 ago and
two years ago l opposed any such
measure. my attention being especially
directed to it by the fact that the Fu-
sionist congressman from the First dis
trict favored the ceding of the public
lands. During the last few years
have written hundreds of letters to con-
stituents stating my position upon this
question. My 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
stockmen In Baca county are greatly
annoyed and injured by the fact that
cattle from Texas and Kacsas 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 request.
through Judge Nortbcutt. district judge
of the Third district, that ! should In
troduce bill, local 10 Baca county on
ly. by the terms of which the small
owner of stock was said to be amply
protected, to relieve them from this
burden. l introduced the bill by re-
quest. as was my duty to my constitu-
ents. At the same time l Informed
Judge NOrthcutt and other friends that
the bill could not pass, as II 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. 1
stated my position on the subject to
the chairman Of the committee, as
state 1t here. The bill WIS reported
from the committee adversely and was
indefinitely postponed; thus the matter
was finally disposed Of This is all
there is to say OF the Baca land bill
In this connection desire TO call
your attention to the plank In the plat
form adopted by the Republican party
in Its state convention at Denver on
September 18th. respecting the leasing
of public lands, plank which 1 had
share In framing:
Opposes Leasing Public Lands.
.The Republican party has been the
constant and ever faithful friend of
the home builder and settler In the
West 1t believes In free homes for
free men 1t WINS the father of the ben
L. l..x,r av.I ra.Sv 80
'ena ctment against the bitter opposition
of the Democratic party In Congress.
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 builder and the pioneer.
ave favor only such changes In ex-
isting land laws ms 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
use 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-
struction Of irrigation canals and reser
eve believe that the perpetuity Of
American institutions and the future
destiny OF our country rests largely oil
the shoulders of our laborlng classes.
consequently we believe In surrounding
the home OF the laboring man with ev-
cry protection known to the law of the
land
A slnnder travels fast, but I have no
doubt that friends Will see that the lies
contained In the circular referred to are
overtaken by this statement OF my po-
sition ON this question.
herewith attach Judge Northcutt's
letter, which states the exact situation
surrounding the preparation and intro
duction of the Baca county bill. Yours
very truly.
Il. o. wOLCOTT.
Judge Northcutt's Letter.
District Court Chambers
Third Judicial District of Colorado (