The Meeker herald., 1907-02-16

A large ana very ehthuslAstic theoo-
ing of citizens of this county was
held at the court house Monday after
noon for the purpose of protesting
against the enactment of certain
measures now before congress con-
ing the public domain; also, to pro-.
test against the increasing exactions
of the forestry authorities.
Considering the short notice given
of the meeting, surprisingly large
attendance was on hand when the
gathering was called to order, which
is indicative of the deep interest the
matters to be discussed are awaken
ing in our people.
County Commissioner Thos. Kill
duff was made chairman and County
Clerk Scott secretary. fs
On motion, w. H. Clark was ap-
pointed to read the Burkett bill, the
provisions of which has aroused
the entire West in indignant protest
against the passage of the same.
Next in order was the presenta-
tion and adoption of the resolutions
which appear below.
Then followed a general discussion
of the matters at issue, participated
in by Colonel Montgomery, Thomas
H. lies, w. H. Clark, c. T. Carney,
Reuben Oldland and others. All con-
demned the proposed legislation, and
also recent executive orders and rul-
ings of the interior department..
The committee on resolutions re-
ported as follows:
WHEREAS, There are now pending
in Congress certain proposed changes
in the land laws of the United States
which we deem unwise and unjust; ;
and,
WHEREAS, Certain executive and
bureaucratic orders and rulings have
lately been promulgated In relation
to the use, occupancy and acquisition
of public lands which are oppressive,
unfair and contrary to the letter and
spirit of the land laws now In force !;
and,
WHEREAS, A public meeting of the
citizens of Rio Blanco County, Colo
RADIO, has been called to consider the
matters above stated and to protest
against said unjust and oppressive
laws, orders and rulings; now, there
fore be it
RESOLVED, by the farmers, stock
men, business men apd citizens gen.
orally of Rio Blanco County, Colo
RADIO, in public assemblage:
That the farmers, small stockmen
and all residents and citizens in the
County of Rio Blanco, in the State
of Colorado, are unanimously and
strenuously opposed to any changes
in the existing land laws tending to-
ward further government control,
Capitalization and paternalisin, and
as ground for their said opposition
we assert that any contemplated
change in the existing laws will to-
tally destroy the growth and devel-
opment of the west; for 1t is apparent
now that the late unfair and i'll
advised rulings in relation to our
public lands have done incalculable
damage to our Western States, and
have driven thousands of home
seekers from our country to Canada /;
and, be it further
Resolved, That experience teaches
that the most potent agency in the
marvellous growth and development
of our arid States and Territories has
been the liberal land laws admins
tered in spirit of generous liberal
ity, and we firmly believe it to be ILL
advised to abolish that which time
shows to be beneficial and to substi-
tute in it's place untried, visionary
and unjust laws and regulations,
such as are now advocated by the ad-
ministration at Washington; and, be
it further
Resolved, That we are unalterably
opposed to the proposed leasing Of
coal lands, for the reason that such a
practice would result in the coal
lands ultimately coming into the sole
control of large corporations, who
would reap all the benefits from such
lands and at the same time would
escape from any proper or adequate
contribution to local governments by
the payment of just proportion of
local taxes, although their wealth
would be drawn from lands situate
under the jurisdiction and protection
of loal communities; and, be 1t
Resolved, That for similar reasons
we are utterly opposed to the leasing
of oil lands, and in addition to such
reasons would call attention to the
fact that the marketing of the pro-