Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-05-17
FOR sroCKM MEN AND sHEEPMEN


The wanton destruction Of sheep on
,he ranges. about which we hear occa-
slonally. should invoke the action oil
puhlio officers IN the localities where
thev occur. and the perpetrators of such
outrages should receive the PUNISH
ment which the law provides In those
cases. The feuds between cattlemen
and sheepherders ought to be settled by
mutual agreement A little forbear-
ance and regard for each others
rights would prevent the scenes oil
slaughter and the violations Of peace
and equity. that are becoming common
in the states and Territories where
grazing Is still possible on the pubic
lands.
II will be conceded by all persons who
understand the facts in relation TO the
matter that sheep do immense dam
age 10 the public domain. They eat OUT
The grass. by biting off the crown OF
the roots, and thus destroy the heritage.
leaving a wilderness where they found
pasture. 1t is not so with horses and
horned stock Ranges recover from the
herdng OF the latter, while sheep spoil
the country wherever they roam 1t is
this that causes so much enmity on the
mart OF stock-owners and cowboys"
against the sheepmen.
BUT there Is no justification for the
lawless conduct Of many Of the stock
men. The killing OF sheep by the
scores and hundreds, just for revenge,
wasting property wholesale, leaving
the carcasses to rot on the ground
which would have been valuable for
food, cannot be condoned by any pleas
nut forward in defense of the stock
mems course. It ought to be followed
up by the officers Of the law and a just
penalty should be inflicted,
SO long as the public lands are open
10 free grazing, the owners Of sheep
ard other ste k have equal rights and
privileges thereon. There ought to
be mutual agreements between them
as to their relative occupancy OF
such ranges, Certain portions could be
reserved to the horses and horned
stock and others 10 the sheep Lines
could he drawn over which neither side
would attempt to pass The property
rights Of all would thus be respected
and maintained.
But II must be evident to thoughtful
men, that the time is rapidly approach
ing when dependence can no longer be
placed upon free ranging on the public
domain. As the sterile soil Is more
and more redeemed and brought into
cultivation, whether by the aid OF ar
teslan wells, reservoirs and irrigation,
or by the increase of humidity from
snow and rain, there will be less and
less opportunity for either summer or
winter ranging. and stockmen' and
sheepmen will have to look for other
sources Of feed supply.
Pasturage will have to be the future
method OF stock-raising and sheep
growing. All kinds Of animals for the
market will have to be home fed, 1t
will be found more profitable in the
aggregate to pursue this method, than
TO continue In the present hazardous
course The losses In winter are now
enormous. The destruction OF sheep by
bad weather after shearing and lamb
Ing Is something deplorable. 1t is SO
with horses and horned stock that are
winter killed or that perish from
drouth on the ranges.
Men Of foresight VIII lay their plans
with view TO meeting the coming
conditions. Provision will be made for
the curing and stacking and storage oil
fodder. When all stock and sheep are
cared for, on lands owned or leased by
the proprietors. and both in sumner
and winter ample and proper feed Is
provided, the present losses will not be
heard OF, nor viii there be any cause
for the feuds that lead to iawlessness
bitterness and the spirit Of murder.
This is a matter that should engage
q a
West Meanwhile, let fairness and a
regard for the rights Of others animate
the blg.hearted stockmen and sheep
men Of the country, and let peace be
proclaimed among them all.