The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1907-06-24
A FUTILE CONVENTION.

1t has become matter of common
notoriety that the Denver Land Con-
vention was q dismal failure. The
true sense of the practical men Of the
West was thwarted by the committee
on credentials which gave Colorado the
controlling voice in the conveu tion. At
first, Colorado claimed 476 delegates
to Wyoming's las, and all other States
100, Later, Colorado was cut down TO
396, but still remained in absolute con
troll Of the convention.
The administration forces were in
full attendance, and, as at the Boise
convention the forest rangers and all
were on hand. These were sufficient
in numbers TO compel a formal in
dorsement of the Administration,
though the resolutions condemned The
policy which the Administration has
IN view; but not formally, only in de-
claring for something else. II is the
old story Of the man who was in fa-
vor of the Maine liquor law, but op-
posed to its enforcement.
The Administration wishes to
change the grazing policies and privi-
leges; the convention declared against
any change in this.
The Administration seeks to main
tain the forest reserves intact, under
Federal control The convention de
clared in favor Of throwing these open
TO entry by settlers,
The Administration seeks in Indian
Territory TO prevent the sale and re-
strict the leasing of Indian lands as
allotted, the convention declared
against such prevention and restric-
ton
The Administration includes in the
forest reserves large areas not tim
bered and not useful in conserving the
how of streams; the convention de-
clared for the release of all such areas.
The Administration keeps secret the
evidence, reports, papers, files and rec
ords IN all cases or proceedings in
volving the right TO the title or occu-
pancy of public lands or privileges;
the convention declared for publicity
in all these.
The Administration has withdrawn
the known coal lands from entry; the
convention declared in favor Of bona
hde filings in such lands, as prescribed
by law.
The Administration controls the for
estry reserve in an arbitrary manner:
the convention declared for a law en-.
powering the Secretary of Agriculture
to appoint proper inspectors of the for
estry service. who shall have power to
summon witnesses, administer oaths,
and take testimony in the investiga-
lions Of any alleged wrong in forest
reserve management
The Administration embraces in its
forestry reserves many sections Of
school lands, without recouping the
States for the loss; the convention de-
clared for just equivalent to the
schools for lands so taken
And, finally, as the report of spe-
cial and secret service agents Of the
land department and of the Depart
ment of Agriculture are not made un-
der oath, the convention declared in
favor of such verifcation, and that
suitable penalties be provided for false
statements made in them.
This is a pretty formidable array of
.dlsagreements with the Administra-
tlon s policies. to come from a conven-
ton that was 80 largely packed by
the employees and agents of the Ad.
ministration. And yet, these differ
ences, so wide and so varied, are prac
tically nulliAed by the general in.
dorsement given the Administration.
SO the convention was practically at
war with itself, and its deliberations
amounted to nothing. 1t is a pity that
the practical men of the West could
not have been allowed to have a free
and open convention of their own, free
from the interference of officialdom
and which the Federal appoiutees
would not be allowed to pack.