Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-10-16
SOME P.LPABIE ERRORS.

But that does not alter the fact that
the choice land of Montana has already
largely been taken up by wealthy men
and corporations under the desert land
act and the Communication clause of the
homestead act; and that unless these
laws are repealed at one there will be
no good land left at all within the next
few years.-Great Falls Tribune.
The above is absolutely and unquali-
fiedly false as regards Fergus county.
That large stockmen have got hold of
some land that would do for agricul-
tural purposes no one will deny, but
that it has largely been taken up by
wealthy men" is not true. Take all of
the streams that head in the Snowy,
Belt or Judith range of mountains and
follow them To their mouths and they
will be found lined with settlers and
small stock r~aisers, with now and then
a large owner, but the latter is the ex-
ception rather than the rule. But there
is hardly an instance where the settler
has not found it to his advantage, has
not regarded il a necessity, in fact, TO
acquire more land under the desert law.
The Tribune seems to find great salts
faction in such expressions as vast es-
tates." One would think that English
noblemen and eastern nabobs had COB
bled up all of the best land in this
state. The fact is the far greater part
Of the land now owned in Montana has
been taken up by men who had little or
nothing twenty years ago, but engaged
in cattle or sheep raising they have
expanded with the requirements of
their business. When il was demon
strated beyond question TINT the open
range could no longer be relied upon
with safety, these men found it neces-
sary TO own more land or give up their
business entirely. The idea of taking
care Of their fiocks and bands through
the winter season was not only a hui
name conclusion, but was prompted by
considerations of profit and loss. Con-
sequently the great bulk of this land
has been taken up in the past ten years.
And it is safe TO say that if it were not
for the protection of their live stock a
majority would be glad to dispose of
the land for just what they paid for it,
with improvements added, for it has
cost them no small amount of money.
What would have been the condition OF
our sheep and cattle interests today il
their safety had not been provided for
in this way? Where would have been
the taxable wealth from which to de-
rive revenue for state and county gov
eminent? Not one section in ten was
desirable for the homesteader or suit
able for agricultural purposes. Who,
then, would have taken public lands
and made them productive of wealth,
upon which towns and cities are built
and civil government made possible?
We don't believe the situation is
much different in any other county in
this state. That some injustice has
been done under the land laws no one
disputes, but the good that has resulted
from them far ~outweighs the evil.
Millions of acres have been taken up to
save the grasses upon which the eye OF
the home-seeker never rested, and il il
did il was only to make him homesick
and discouraged with the idea of set
Element.
Yet, Montana is growing, growing
every month and every year. IL PEG.
pie are not falling over each other to
get Montana land, there is no occasion
for losing heart. Better to have a
steady and healthy growth than to OF.
fer an asylum to the indolent and un
thrifty, who expect to find everything
provided by nature, leaving nothing to
the activities Of the brain and 10 ply.
steal exertion.
National irrigation will make more
land available and double the pro.
ductiyeness of that now cultivated,
thereby resultingi in a disposal of a por.
ton Of 1t TO the newcomer, but in the
meantime any law that will aid in
building up the stock industry of the