The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-02-04
PUBLIC
LANDS
LEASED
OF Interest TO All Stock
Growers
Cattle BarOnS Get Govern
ment Land

The cattle barons appear to have
friends at court who are helping them
to perpetuate their monopoly Of the
government lands in the Western
states. A special dispatch from oma-
ha to the Washington Post says:
The land leasing bill, as now con
structed, was introduced into the sen
ate and house at the last session Of
congress. It's advent created a furore
of indignation in the Western states.
and It's effect on the approaching
elections was the cause Of the laying
aside Of the measure. Opponents of
the measure denounce it as a glaring
attempt to create a land monopoly
in the Western states.
Il Is proposed to lease for a period
not exceeding 20 years any govern.
ment land remaining unapplied for
at the rate Of from one to six cents
an acre per annum. The proposition
on lts face means the acquiring Of
revenue by the government from
lands now unoccupIed and seemingly
worthless. The reality. II is claimed.
viii be an increasing annual draft on
the Federal treasury for costs OF col
lection. the establishment OF a large
number OF new fat Offices. the control
OF immense areas Of Western land.
and the consequent prevention of set
tlement by Industrious individuals, by
few great cattle and sheep raising
corporations and the consequent ab.
solute aud unrestricted control Of
prices Of meats by the land monopoly.
The dispatch further sanys.
Col. Mosby was rapidly informing
the public Of the actual facts when
he was recallSd
As Col. Mosby was the special
agent Of the land department at
Washington, and had been given or
ders to remove the wire fences the
cattle barops had erected his recall
must mean that the administration
has given up lis hght against the cat
tie men.
The land leasing bill was introduced
In the senate by Senator Milard, OF
Nebraska. and IN the house by Con
gressman Bowersock Of Kansas, and
/ II passed by congress will effectively
perpetuate the hold the cattle barons
have on the government lands Of the
West. on their own terms.
The farmers OF every state Of the
union are directly interested in op-
posing the bills now before congress,
for they cannot compete with the
price that beef cattle. sheep and wool
can be produced in large herds on
land for which no rent or interest is
paid and upon which no taxes are as
sessed
In tho past the free range for cattle
ON the ublic lands was participated
in by all droyes. great or small. but
I'm the last few years the large cattle
companies have fenced In vast tracts
.of the public land and have therefore
monopolized lbs use The home
stead seeker has during this time
been gradually encroachIng more and
more ON this public domain that the
cattle barons have come 20 look upon
Rs their own and the result is the
conflict now before the public and
congress.
The leasing OF these public lands |
az tho rate of from one 70 six cents
an acre. or an average OF three cents.
is out OF all proportion 10 their value
and the collection will cost more than |
the government viii receive. There
will be no protection for the home, !
steader for the cattle barons would
lease an the lands adjoining his home
stead and shut him on from free
range for his cattle and perhaps ac-
cess 60 the rivers and streams. which
are few and far apart on the plains.
The policy OF the government from
the arst has been 20 reserve the pub
ne lands FOR those who wish 10 make
homes upon them. and It's reversal by
the present administration, IN the Ia.
terest OF the cattle harons. should be
denounced by an Senators and con.
gressmen should be written 10. de
manding that the honest settler be
protected and the cattle barons'
fences be renewed so that all can
have free access 20 the public do
main.