, 1907-12-21
RANCH CONTROL

otOth hSoOCldtloh III tht Nv Nv
publican, whereby 1t is proved that a
great majority of the stockmen OF the
west favor government control of the
open public range. The Leaders cob
tention is that these figures are mac
curate because they do not cover a
majority of the sheepmeh of Wyoming.
1t is a little peculiar, however, that
figures gathered ut random by the live
stock association should be almost ex-
actly the same as those gathered by
the public lands commission that went
over the matter some three years ago.
1t is also strange that the figures
should be approximately the same as
those reported by the cattlemen of wy
oming, through Mr.. Luke Voorhees,.
If the figures reported by the Wyoming
stockmen and the national live stock
association are not accurate, how does
the Leader hope to obtain accurate
figures? Has 1t any figures to give
the people?
In all probability the convention that
will meet in Laramie during the month
of January, the Wyoming Sheepgrow-
ers' association, will adopt resolutions
against range control. It has been dom.
mated by those who favor a 'let-us-
alone" POLICEMEN who have got POS
session of sufficient range to run their
stock and who oppose any kind OF a
statute that would give intending set
tiers an opportunity to gain a foothold
OF the open ranges Of the state. They
protest that they are in favor of ex-
tending a welcome to the man with the
hoe, but place every obstacle in his
road. 1t may be said to the credit OF
the stockmen OF Albany county that
they have ever favored progressive
methods. Every vote that has been
taken in this county, whether in a cat
tlemen's convention or a sheepmen's
convention, has been in favor of gov
eminent control of the public domain
through some form of lease law. They
believe in legal possession and not in
possession by force or arms. They be-
lieve that the sooner the stockmen of
Wyoming as q whole come to a fun
realization of the necessity for actual
possession either in fee or by leashold
of the lands upon which they range
their live stock, The better 1t will be
for the stock business and the state
at large. Under private ownership or
leasehold the stockman would be in a
position to perpetuate himself in the
business and would not be subject to
the crowding of neighbors. And he
would be able to live at peace with the
whole world. Range feuds would van
ish and the bloody butchery that has
frequently disgraced the state would
be a thing Of the past Greater than all
would be the vast advantage private
ownership or control of range would
give to the stockmen in the matter OF
improving ranges and in grading up
stock. This state is capable of sus-
tanning three times the live stock it
o has, and the added stock would
bring higher prices because of the bet
ter quality.
This paper is OF the opinion that the
Denver Republican has better n
reliable sources of information than
the Cheyenne Leader, and 1t Is there
fore a pleasure to quote the following
editorial from that journal:
Answers to inquiries SEN u by
the American National Live Stock IS
sociation to prominent stockmen
throughout the west relative to federal
control of public grazing lands show
a very large majority in favor Of that
kind of control. There may be differ
ence of opinion respecting details, but
the principle of government control is
strongly Endorsed.
This shows the development Of an
idea which when first advanced met
with much opposition. Reflection has
shown the stockmen the urgent need of
adequate provision for conserving the
range in order that one of the great na-
tural of the west may not be
wasted. overstocking having threaten
ed it with destruction. The opposition
to governmental control of grazing
rights within the limits of forest re-
serves. SO pronounced at first, has al
most entirely disappeared; and out of
the successful enforcement Of this
policy has grown widespread approval
of like control of other parts of the
public range.
The policy of the government in
this matter, so far from being hostile
to the interests of the live stock indus
try. aims to promote it through wise
regulation. Not discrimination against
individual interests, but justice to ali
is the keynote Of the policy, which rec
ognizes first of all that the range must
be preserved, and next that its preser-
walton depends upon tudlcious use.
THE men whose wealth consists