, 1908-02-01

gle bill introduced in congress that
has received support as to terms and
application, beyond mere introduction,
or one that had any chance of passing
and becoming a law.
All money raised to prevent h pass.
age of an offensive grazing bill in this
congress is that much surplus fund.-
as there is not a dollar of it necessary
for the object for which it is propos-
ed. l say these things to you frankly,
because, in your letter you said, Il de-
sire to make the following frank, hon
est and sincere statements" hence,
you are entitled throughout this let
ter to frank, honest and sincere state,
ments from me.
incomplete and Undesirable.
Returning to the matter of a grazing
bill, the amendment which was report
ed from the committee on agriculture
Of the senate in the last congress was
incomplete and undesirable. 1t was I'M
derstood that under the rule a single
objection without argument, made by
any one of the ninety senators, would
strike it from the bill. 1t was also
known that several members would 50
move, but it was deemed advisable to
let it go out for discussion. 1t was
stricken out on a point of order as per
program.
Not to Be Misguided.
No general grazing bill has been in
q situation, or in fact neal a condition
in congress, where it could ever be
voted upon. AS to myself, you know
that there is not a single vote of mine
nor a declaration of mine which has
supported any of the grazing bills thus
far offered. in the terms in which they
were presented. The same holds true
as to expressions of acceptance or sat
isfaction over all of the conditions i'm
posed in forest reserve matters. 1t is
likewise true that no vote or declara-
ton of mine has been recorded or
made advocating repeal of tariff on
Philippine sugar Ga subject embraced
in your sheep resolutions). | tell you
this now, SO that if, perchance, by
quoting me otherwise, as o have so
often done, you have come to believe
the statements (although you first
knew otherwise, o may have the
truth before you.
Wyoming Sheepmen Weaken Cause.
1t would be utterly idle and futile,
no matter if every man of us engaged
in sheep business spent all his money
IN the effort, to set aside forestry as
such, and some sort of government SUI
peryision over its W domain. Sheep
men weaken their cause, l believe, by
overriding their opposition to forestry
per sc, as our Wyoming association
and some, Others did. The National
association hedged somewhat at Hell
ems
Exaggerated solicitude on the part
" ShNNDhi'h, tdltitllCH, HOIStLlcH and
others engaged in the range business,
respecting rights of the small settler
Is apt TO be misunderstood and incur
the criticisms that ranchmen are not
entirely sincere in their altruism, but
reasonable appeals from ranchmen AMI
settlers for all classes will have weight
nnI ina-Naatr-
more as time goes on. This will be es-
pecially true as to the conduct of for.
estry and the range.
The Correct Grazing Bill.
If a public land grazing bill can be
shaped so that besides protecting the
small settler it will apply practically to
all localities that desire it; be practi,
cally under local control as to euuita-
bic distribution and conduct although
recognizing the governments rights to
participate; impose rental figures low
enough to cover only running expenses,
the surplus if any. to go either to the
benefit of the state or the immediate
locality; then | for one shall feel that
the majority of the people of my state
and of the country favor such legisla-
ton, and shall govern myself accord
lngly. But, as l assured IL people
through an interview when I was home
in December, there is not, in my opin.
ion, the slightest prospect of the pas,
sage of any grazing bill at this session
of congress, and not at any future time
without amendments or changes in the
bills which have been proposed.
Away Above Petty Spleen.