Gilpin observer., 1916-07-27

lOuS nelSuDOT CuOOS0 " uiiNO thos
farmers cattle onto his own property.
1t was shown to be a measure that.
rather than being beneficial to the
small and struggling farmer, would
rob him OF his greatest source OF sus-
tenance. The average rancher OF Colo
RADIO can raise on his acres only feed
ing crops. His one. or two or three
cows-which James ]. Hill declared
the salvation Of the country In the
future-are that which stand between
him and his family and hard times
thru periods of stress and planting,
and failure Of crops Deprive him OF
the opportunity to feed those cattle
on the public domain and he is
robbed of his greatest farming asset.
He is forced to build fences about his
own acres, on which he cannot prop
erly feed his own cattle, to keep them
off the lands untitled, lands that in a
Western state only partially settled
are the God-given property Of the
man who is struggling to make him
self a home, so long ss they remain
| open.
They Turn Deaf Ear.
And as those things were realized
by the farmers. business men and
stockmen of the state, together with
the fact that the proposed law would
mean that 5O,00O,O00 acres Of unfenced
lands in the state would be closed to
| grazing; that it would drive from
the state livestock growers and in
|
his market for hay and forage crops;
that 1t would discourage as long as 1t
remained a state law the settler from
turning his face towards Colorado;
that depreciation in land values, and
constant rancor and discord between
neighbors would fall to the lot of the
state-these things were realized and
the agriculture farmer, big and little,
turned a deaf ear to the siren song
of the measures hackers.
There was lapse OF interests
hiatus during which no petitions
were circulated, and the Great Divide
stilled its clamorous noise. And then
July 6-there appeared in a Denver
newspaper an editorial of warning. q
calling attention to the fact that,
leaving all other considerations out
Of it, the sinister influences behind
the herd law should build for 1t oppo-
sition. The editorial challenged the
unselfish purpose of Volney Hoggatt
he whose record on the state land
board has in 1t no hint Of burning de-
sire to thwart the big cattle owner
| III h; ctA
Bon and Tam. 1t pointed out the
dangerous possibilities OF the bill.
In Babyish Anger Renew Fight.
And that morning the henchmen oi
The Post were summoned. They
; secured Denver for signers-begin
, ming with the employees OF The Denver
/ Post. 1t is easy to get signers in
cities to petitions proposing law oi
any kind, no matter how nefarious
, how ridiculous, how drastic. And ir
q two days The Post and Great Divide
, seeking for selfish interests to fois
a on the state a law disastrous to the
Q states greatest promise OF future
= wealth, continuing that effort in {
d petulant and pettish fit of anger ove
}. a competitors honest criticism, garn
|. cred its majority OF signatures
e which can by no means be termed
y supporters-to its petitions. After tn,
G farmers, dairymen and livestock mel
k of the state-those who alone will b.
l. affected directly by the flaw-ha,
turned down the dangerous fencin
l. measure, the city dweller was turne
y to as a means of saving II from tn
Q limbo of forgotten things. And b
II that same ingenious process-impos
A, tion on the voters of city and tow
IS who, II is hoped by them, will cor
D. tinue negative lethargy concernin
n the truth about the measure-Th
Post and The Great Divide plan I
force the law on the statute books.
N Those opposed to the measure d
" clare all they ask of the voters {
" Colorado is an impartial study of th
n. so-called herd law, study based onl
,e on desire to cast their ballots {
Il. the end that the greatest good to tt
8. greatest number be done. That kin
D. of study will convince, they conten
le those who have given little attentio
I'd to the matter, and those who are no
ms estly the measures adherents, that u
to bill is an iniquitous one. designed ar
er supported for selfish reasons. Misl,
ge by specious argument. by false stat
rs ment, by confusing clothing of ve
as biage in which the hackers have {
lot fered their measure to the publ
ny some are sincere in their belief It
NV in reality a herd law. beneficial,
ng passed, to the state. 1t is to these al
rm the unthinking and careless the c
to ponents appeal.
om AS in other campaigns waged BY &
as Denver Post, It is well that particuI
mt attention be paid to consideration
led what already has been mentioned
IN. The Denver Post for It: Against II
op- Every Organization Made Up Of a