The Ocala banner., 1907-10-25
NO HOG-FENCE LAW


: I ION, puDilSHth q ptil d ~ otpi last "tt
to the effect that there would pOssibl.
be a legislative candidate in Marion
county in the next election on a reg
ulatcd fence-law platform. and tha
the popular idea seems to be for
!, fence Of about three OF four wires
outlawing the opcn-range hog.
Last Saturday The Times-JniOl
published the following editorial OF
the subject;
Marion county is again moving tC
secure some relief from the burden
OF the hog. 1t may easily be shown
that the annual cost Of fencing
against the Florida hog costs more
than he is worth. So long as the hog
may be turned out to feed on the
community. his owner makes little
other eXeTtion for livelihood, and
cares nothing for better article than
the one provided by uaturc-fOrce
each man to care for his own and the
hos increases in value and character
SO that he soon becomes an asset of
value. 1t is bad policy 10 put pre-
miUm on WUrthliness, whether ex-
/ icmplilied in man or beast The rem
/ i"dy proposed i'll Marion just now is
/ 10 outlaw the hog and make a three
wire fence the lawful protection
! Perhaps the proposition is good for
! a beginning, but after trial it will be
asked whether even a three-sirand
renee is not 100 much tax on the man
who has crop but no domestic ami
mails TO run al large Why is it not
cheaper 10 fence a pasture than to
fence farm?
Once the area outside the farm was
greater in extent and value than that
withm-then the farmer was one de.
gree removed from the condition of
hrrdsmcn. When the farms were Of
small area compared with the wild
land. ii might be we'll 10 fence the
farm, but when the farmers are more
III number than the herdsmen the ma
JorIJy should look after its own inter.
eStS.
Today the settler must spend all his
money to guard his crops from his
neighbor's herds. He comes among
us with money enough TO build a COM
Tor, able home and buy his land. but
the cost of fences confines him tn q
small area Of cultivated ground or de-
MES him the capital on which his
farm might be made successful ~
we want settlers We do not want fenc.
eS. But each community can dacida
Ior itself under our present law. and
we cannot see the need of noIitic.I |
agitation. Conditions vary. and if ALL
must wait for unanimous action ,ban /
there must be hardship on MANY no
matter which policy is adopted.
In counties like Marion the fences
are buTdensOme-in a county IiLa
Iaylor the herdsman is still needed
he same rule holds good in nor.
'Ions OF counties and nothing moro
equitable could be devised than rho
permission granted to each commn.
MY TO do what seemed best In
'"Hie southern states-nOtably in
neighbOrtoOd can
'oolISh the fences by building 4 +
Protection along the line which ii.
ides 1t from neighbor tha1 ,
hooN's to keep the fences Tho
hardship here comes in when q man
'ith small capital settles in 2 "no- =
ehce neighborhood and finds rho ,
ote against him next wear Il
'""id be we'll to provide that whom
poiI'y Is adopted it must stand for .
given period.
We need men and women in Florida
'"r' than anything else and any
ORGY That fayors the settler xbouId
ave praycrlui consideration Vou.
cannot b" d"ri"d that the sa1rIar
'''','II among us 10 farm is saved
.'"'I" and expense when he i NOT "
'GHr"d j' fence his land Tho -
'fISman can easily choose 2 county :
s0 advanced cor without the rr,r.
'Ti"ii"n needed for eardon4 and or- |
''' '=.- Tim"-t-u.uu.
! h'T" hs'u asked by some If ~.
'j'"% citizens and farmers of This
'''"u 10 defend .M. question ami
'.' I'D -'.i FOB ar.r- ,.- 81 #.,..., !