, 1907-01-07
INTO OFFICE
FOR THE NEW TERM

enough to make money in is good
enough to live in, and good enough to-
die in. Many beautiful and perma-
nent homes have been built, while in
the towns, about the lonely ranch and
along the public highways, trees and
vines have been planted, giving prom
Use of a brighter day.
inspiration for Future.
In the achievements of the past two
years We find inspiration for the fut.
ure. The good work must be carried
forward with prudence, courage and
intelligence, which will be pursued by
the incoming administration, but for
the first time in twelve years, our legis-
lature assemblies on the day immedi.
ately following the Inauguration, conse-
quently, in my message tomorrow, |
will outline those policies which seem
to me essential to our welfare. Our
people are so generally successful and
"contented that no sweeping legislation
Of an experimental nature is demanded.
In all legislative matters they ask for
quality, not quantity, prefering evolu-
ton rather than revolution, feeling SUI
premely confident that, if left alone,
they can work out their own saliva
ton.
Menace to Present Prosperity.
But a great force, beyond the power
of legislative control. is at work, which
menaces u present prosperity. Our
growth depends upon the successful
and rapid utilization of the 60, 900, 900
acres of land in Wyoming. Conditions
here are very different from those in
the middle and western prairie states.
Practically all the land there was open
prairie, suitable for agriculture, and
successful settlement under the wise
provisions of the homestead law was
rapid. From the very foundation OF
our government the pioneers in the
prairie states were allied in making
the early settlements by having the
privilege of utilizing, Unrestricted and
unrestrained, the adjacent government
lands, without the use of which many
of the early settlements would have
been impossible.
Reservations Too Extensive.
In Wyoming, the people, using this
same right SO freely given our fore
fathers, seem to be looked upon as tres
passers upon the public domain. Our
progress is retarded by ill-advised and
unprecedented s~egregations of vast
areas, whereby nearly one-half the land
in the state has been withdrawn from
settlement and development. The for
est reserves take out nearly 10, O0G. 900
acres, and, while forest preservation
is imperative, l believe the forests
could be safeguarded without such rad
ical restraints as are now deemed nee,
essary. Of this 10000, 900 acres, prob
ably not one-fourth of it grows sufic-
lent timber to justify it's segregation,
and not one-tenth the amount Of stock
is allowed to Craze in the forest re-
serves which they could carry with
out material injury to the forests or
detriment to the country.
A Beneficial Condition.
Some 100000 acres have quite re-
Gently been segregated as coal-land.
In view of the fact that the people in
every direction are suffering from a
scarcity of coal, and that many import
ant industries must be given up for
lack of fuel, it seems not only injuri-
GUS to Wyoming, but detrimental to
the entire country, to retard the devel-
opment Of our coal industry. While
coal monopoly, resulting from unjust
t rate discrimination or railroad fayorit-
ism, is dangerous, competition and low
err prices. brought about by prospecting
+ and new discoveries, and the uure,
h stricted opening of new coal measures
G would be beneficial.
Irrigation Segregations .
The reclamation service has also
], deemed it necessary to segregate, fol
: government HLlSdllOn pIOJSIISs IhOu
I sands of acres of land in Wyoming
particularly along the North Platte riv
err, which by no possibility could ever
be irrigated. 1t would seem as If the
government could survey its ditch
lines and then turn back for settlement
and use all lands which they will be
IunabIa To recIain
Necessary for US to Act.
To me these matters seem so import.
ant that l mention them now, in order
to arouse public sentiment and aus
free and full discussion of these per.
: picking problems at public meetings
and through the press, well knowing
that, unless We earnestly endeavor to
solve these vexatious questions, others,
unfamiliar with Il local conditions
l may find it necessary T. act for us.
5 My friends, | earnestly thank you
t for your attention, as well as for your
2 presence here today, and Immediately
following these ceremonies hope to
} have the pleasure of meeting all Of you