The Elbert County tribune., 1907-02-21


each to its own power. The strength
of the bureau that would have control
of these public lands would depend
upor its retention OF their control. This
very fact would act as constant de-
terrent against the release OF lands Tor
settlement. One of the main reasons
for the establishment of our present
form of governments to avoid as
far as possible favoritism, special priv
ileges. or government by discretion
Under the system proposed, we will re-
turn to all these dangers. By assum-
ing anything else we must return TO
the principle of ''the king can do no
wrong" Some of those who have done
business in the forest reserves know
better than that.
Has anyone stopped to consider how
this new scheme will effect the coun-
ties of the state? Some of them are
still struggling in their infancy. Only
a small portion of their land is pat
ented Being settled by homeseekers
in only moderate circumstances. fnan-
cially, their improvements are stlil
meager. The taxation is therefore
heavy Schools, roads and new public
buildings are necessary. They need
the assistance of all the land within
their boundaries, and anything that
will tend to hinder the private owner
ship of these lands by actual settlers
will increase the burdens of these
struggling communities. And what
hurts them will injure the state.
Vino Is 1t that demands this change
in our land policy? 1t is not the home
seeker, for he wants as little restric-
ton as possible. There have been no
conventions of small cattle owners
who demand this change. We have
heard of no petitions from them. Their
finances limit them to small holdings
and they are interested in building up
populous communities and thereby in
creasiEg the advantages of education
and society, and enhancing the value
of their holdings. 1t is not the mon
eyed man who settles on these new
lands. 1t is generally someone who
has but little means and who desires
to use that which he has in building
a home rather in buying one. The in
ducement of the open range for few
head of live stock is often the prime
motive for settling up the country. The
big fellows interest is directly oppo-
site He wants cheap land, cheap
grass, and lots of territory. 1t is too
often the rule that he doesn't favor
the presence of the little homesteader
within his range. He is too often in
clined to the belief that 1t would be
doing the settler a real service to pre-
went his getting the land The big fell
low is able to make himself heard, go
to conventions, travel over into the
next state If need be, and appear be-
fore some land commission and send
committees to Washington.
And the worst of it is that the adj
ministration is being induced to use
the little fellows name to accomplish
a real advantage for the big fellow.
If the small settler is the real con-
sideration, why doesn't the govern |
ment wait until the small settler |
makes his wishes known? The only |
thing these homeseekers are asking is |
that the obtaining of the lands shall |
be easier, not harder. If, at any time, |
there is lull in the settlement of the |
public lands, it is because the laws
regulating settlement are not liberal
enough. The true remedy is not for |
the restriction, but more liberal ex- |
tension.
One thing is certain. Land is rap
idly increasing in value. The strenu-
Gus effort to get possession of the pub |
iic lands is sufficient evidence of this
fact. Everybody wants land, and just
as fast as it becomes worth enough to
cover the cost of settlement, it will be
located by those who are drifting
away from our centers of population.
Any effective scheme for leasing the
public lands has enough bad features,
but the present one is the worst that
has been suggested. While based in
large part upon the principle that
these lands belong to all the people
of the country, and that those that use
them should pay for that use, there is
no provision for paying the rentals
into the general treasury, and no hope
that anyone will be benefited finan-
cially except those who get the special
privileges, and the officials who admin
lister the districts.
know that many people in the East
think the balance of this public land
will never be good for anything but
grazing. Even the president holds this
opinion because he told our committee
so year ago. They held the same
opinion about some of our most val
liable lands at the time they were set
tied many years ago. They will still
hold the same opinion as to any lands
that may be left ten or twenty years
hence. 1t is the fellow who takes his
chances, settles upon the land i'm
proves it. and makes his home there,
who builds up the country and adds
to its business and prosperity
There is no such need of haste in
the passage of this measure that it
should be necessary to rush 1t through
as a rider on an appropriation bill be-
fore those most affected can even find
it out Surely. a matter of SO much
importance should be permitted to
take its chances on its own merits
At least 1t should be held in abey-
ance until those in whose name it is
being urged are given hearing As|
stated in the resolutions adopted by
the Good Roads convention at Denver
short time ago we should oppose
any change in our public land laws
which would in any way hinder their