Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1914-04-17
the REPEAL OF The STOCK Law
And Its Relation to Cattle Raising and
2 Agriculture from the Viewpoint
Of the Prospective Investor.

Editor Tensas Gazette,
st. Joseph, La.
Dear Sir-If the South is to fulfill its
possibilities, and be ''The Future Cattle
Country of the Nation" We must be able
to look to the best ways and means OF
each progressive step, to overcome OBJ
stacles, both local and general, and to
advance our product to compete, not for
local butchers demand, alone, but with
the markets of the nation.
Our parish officials, some 20 months
ago, made the first advance step to the
progress of this industry, by protecting
the farmer against the stock raiser.
This being farming community, also
adapted to cattle raising, there was class
OF citizens with equal rights with the
planters, who made speciality of cattle
raising.
As their rights were regarded as equal
to the planting interests, they were apar-
emily enjoying more than equal rights,
in that their neighbors must fence their
properties, and guard their crops from
the depredations of the cattle on the
range. To fair mind, one who was not
prejudiced would say why not have some
responsibility rest on the growth of cat
tie as well as the tiller of soil.
At an opportune time, when the coun-
try was coming from under the crevasse
waters, in more or less deplorable con-
dition as to fence protection, our Honor
able Police Jury saw the need for action,
and made the first stride of consequence
to the advancement of the parish farm
ing and live stock industry, by the in
auguration of the stock law.
During the past winter this same body
who are working with the good of the
parish at heart have made regulations to
do away with ticks and eventually the
quarantine, in the markets of the nation,
against our poor grade beef, which here
tofore have rustled tor themselves and
for the myriads Of ticks which they sue
cor.
The history of every community
where the ticks have been eradicated,
shows that cattle values have increased
from ten to twenty-five per cent in q
short time when the guarantee was lifted.
If We desire progressive citizens of other
States to buy lands and live among us,
to the up-building and development of
our parish, we must snow ourselves pro-
gressive by not retracting any good thing,
but rather adding, step by step, euch
things as will show advancement to those
who look on with interest, seeking the
possibilities which are open to any live,
energetic investor who is being crowded
BY home surroundings and is looking for
. desirable place in the United States to
make home for himself and family,
where he has been told by his friends,
who came South years before, that the
best people in the world live here, in the
best country in the world, where every
thing is possible to the one who has
ambition to attain them.
Think you he will want to chance the
enmity Of his neighbors by possibly do
ing something rash with his neighbors'
cattle, which have the right to over-run
his fields, unless he is vigilant enough to
prevent them from breaking his fences,
or he has some trusty person under pay
to keep all gates closed, day and night?
Since seeing the progressive steps taken
to benefit this parish in regard to cattle
raising and farming, can see bright
future for this country which has been
in the grasp of boil weevil and the one
crop system, and feel that l am heart
and hand with its up-building, and that
now is the accepted time to obtain home
for myself and family. There will surely
be day in the near future when the
beauties and intrinsic values of these
lands will be recognized by the world.
We who have tried know that there is
practically no good thing under the sun
which we cannot have by diligent atten-
ton.
Can we, then, for the desire of few
who make this stock law repeal vital
issue, afford to put the future Of our par
ish in the balance, to be weighed by our
future friends from other parts, who
would be citizens here, if we would show
proper regard for the rights of our
neighbors?
Let us be progressive.
s. A. WINTERTON.
Fresh Country Thistle
RidUo,,-ot On n wound ~ poLo-,.