Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-05-29
OFFICIAL PAPER OF FERGUS COUNTY.
LEwISTOwN, MONT, May 20. 1901
ARISE OF InE LEASING sYSIfM.

The KlVer IreSs, IN Il recent ISSUE
makes some startling disclosures as to
the evils of the leasing of state lands in
Choteau county. According to the Press
the selections are made in semi-circle
or any other shape to meet the wishes
of prospective leasers, who propose 10
shut out others from the use of thepnb-
lie range in their vicinity" The Press
produces a diagram showing the zig-zag
shape of one Of the selections, due to the
course of Willow creek, the evident pur-
pose being to control as much OF the
stream a. possible. the selections cy-
tending Il distance OF nearly thirty
miles. The Press docs not hesitate Z.
say that it lis 4 ilagraut case of state
land collision with private parties IL
control an immense tract of the public
domain in the western part of Chotcau
county" The Press gives y number OF
instances where large and small tract,
are taken to suit the wishes of the
l~essees, the large tracts because all of
is desirable and the small tracts because
it controls the range on the govern
ment land adjacent.
Commenting on this state Of affairs
the River Press says: The blame for
this disgraceful and deplorable situa.
tion lies with the state land officials
who conspired with the stockmen and
Others to ~monopolize the use of the pub.
lie range by selecting state lands with
that end in view. The state lands have
not been leased by these parties because
of their superior grazing qualities, but
on accoun oftheir strategic importauc,
in relation TO the range in their yicin
ity. The occupants Of these state land.
selected in n shoc-NtriHg shape, tina: cal
bc turned in any direction desired. br
comes the owner Of grazing privilege.
upon the public domain thereby con
trollcl. II this plan If state land ~.
lcctions is continued in Chotcau COUNTY
ii promises 10 give control Of the cntir,
range 80 Il few individuals who cai
lease sufficient narrow strips of stat,
lands 50 located as 90 shut out other.
from the use Of the public domain.
The above sustains what We said la.
week: that the state loDd o]gicials lta
been too Jealous i'm leasing these lands
We will not say that they have done 81
TO benefit themselves or 10 iniurc the
state. But in the desire 10 secure 4
large fund for our schools and colleges
they have made no distinction In lands.
but made the best selections possible
and doubtless at the suggestion aud
wishes Of the lcssecs in many instances.
If purely arid lands caauot be- selected
and in such tracts and IA such remote
parts az 30 iniure the actual settler and
smaller slOr'imru. then the leasing srs.
TEN should end at once, Cutting of
water cour,cs and maneuvring in such
a manner as to control vast areas ufthp
public domain t. certainly a great in.
jury 20 the state. IL would seem that
a state 81 vast in area as Montana and
containing 50 much land that il classct
as grazing or arid lands that some Of Il
could be leased without injury to any
one, But it appears that neither tn,
state land agent nor the lcssees ar,
looking for such lands. The latter ar,
looking for land near their W hold
ings or for tracts that control til,
streams and ranges. and there is wher,
the difficulty and injury all lies.
Montana is a young state and need,
an educational fund but it is better I,
go slower and secure the fund By taxa
ton on the lands and Improvement
that the thousands Of people will fur
nish, than TO derive il from a hundre,
or less who are able To lease in larg
tracts and whose control ofthc land re
tards the growth and development G
the state. IL we cannot make room f.
more people we will not need much {
an educational fund. 1t will not 10 I
''kill the hen that lays the golden egg.