The Ordway new era., 1907-06-28
A MILD REBUKt
WESTERN LAND CONVENTION oP-
POSES ADMINISTRATION. :.
SECRETARY GARFIELD TALKS
The Committee on Business Brings In
Report That Sets conven-
tion In Motion.

Broadway took a test vote this morn
ing which resulted in 22i delegates fav'
orIng n mild criticism OF the admins
tration's land policies and 3iS dele
gates radically against the govern
ment's method OF regulating public
lands.
The vote came during the considera'
ton of the report of the credentials
committee. A motion was made to
seat the delegates OF the American
Live Stock Association, National Wool
Growers, National Irrigation Congress
Transmississippi Congress and Amerl'
can Mining Congress.
These delegates were, in the main,
the strong administration allies and
the convention voted to unseat them.
The result is that the convention Is
now hopelessly in the hands OF those
opposed to the rules and regulations Of
the Interior DepaT tment.
The resolutions offered to the land
convention by the committee appointed
TO draft them administered a mild re-
buke to the administration. They are
not as radical as was expected. There
Is little doubt, but they Will be adopted,
because on a ;eat the adminisira-
ton forces were beaten by 3iS to 22l.
The resolutions indorse the present
land laws: declare the lands a public
trust TO be disposed OF to actual set
tiers; ask that folsst reserves be not
,hasu int with set
tlements: oppose any charge by the
government for water from the re-
serves: ask that present grazing laws
stand; demand that agricultural lands
in forest reserves be open for settle
ment; request the removal OF restric-
tions on the sale and leasing of allotted
Indian lands, eXcere such held by full
bloods: request the modification OF the
order withdrawn, coal lands from en-
try and ask that forest reserves be re
duced in size.
Following is the report of the com.
mittee on the business before the con
yention.
I'VE cordially Inlorse the active and
successful efforts OF the administration
In the enforcement Of the land laws OF
the country, and heartily approve the
vigorous prosecution Of all known vio-
lators OF such laws.
Experience has demonstrated the
wisdom of the pciicy OF treating the
lands of the Nation as a public trust
to be disposed of in all cases and
wherever possible to actual settlers
for cultivation and the making Of
homes. The people of the West are
unalterably opposed to any change in
this wholesome ard beneficial policy.
Forest reservations should be Gre
ated only where ;hey do not infringe
this policy and do not withdraw and
remove from actu6i settlement land
suitable for settlement. cultivation and
the making OF homes. Wherever ere.
ated they should be devoted to the
largest and freest use consistent with
their preservation, SO that no natural
resources of any community shall be
taken away further than unavoidably
necessary.
I'm all cases the rights of the states
and of the people OF the states to the
free and unhampe:td use of all waters
within forest reservations for the bene.
fetal public uses o. irrigation, munici.
pal supply and the development of
power should not only be permitted
but encouraged. and no charge should
be imposed therefor or in connection
herewith. leaving It to the states
by adequate regulation, to com
pei the furnishing of all such water
and power to consumers and the pub
lie at the lowest possible cost.
We recognize the necessity where
forest reservations are created of tbs
governments making all such reason
able regulations ds may be necessary
tn tho nPlggrynfinr nf the
! preventing contiicfs in connection
Herewith. This Nation is today strong
great and prosperous because of tn,
wide distribution of its lands and the
natural resources connected therewitl
| amongst all the people. and we ash
only of our brethren in the East tn,
application to us of the national polio,
they have wisely applied to their owl
interests, their own lands and thei
own resources, iledging them ou
united and best efforts to the end tina
under wholesome laws these yaluabl,
resources shall be kept from the mo
nopolisric control of corporations o
others. to the end that they shall b.
owned by. distributed among and a
reasonable rates enjoyed by the who'll
people.
Resolved. that we favor the promp
elimination from forest reservations O
all land not timbered or suitable for re
forestation or reasonably necessary I
conserve the flow Of streams used 70
irrigation in arid sections.
Resolved, That we are opposed I
any change in the existing laws an
customs as to grazing of livestock upo
the public domain outside OF the 70,
est reserves.
The laws and the rules of the dt
partment should provide that agricu
tural lands situate within forest re.
ervation should be freely opened I
homestead entry and an actual settle
should have the immedite, free and M