The Springfield herald., 1916-12-08
A Sensible Stock Law

"A oenSlOle StOCk Lid"
We believe that some kind of
relief is needed in the matter of
our present stock laws. and be-
lieve the legislature will make u
mistake if it fails in the require
ments or attempts to dodge the
issue.
The greatest need just now is
a revised fence lawson ething
that will he possible for home
steaders 20 comply with, an d
that will afford them the neces-
sary protection against breechy
stock and outlaws of the range.
With reference to a herd law,
we believe the people should
have what they want, aud that
in all matters the great majority
should rule.
However, e think very Likely
that II every farmer in the coun-
ty next year will grow broom
cern, say from twenty acres to
two hundred, and a sensible
fence law is given them, they
will then fence their fields and no
more will be thought about it.
The fence law wants to be the
first thing The present law
was made when the country Was
a great wild, and it was presum-
ed never would be anything else.
The law at present permits a
fence of three wires, with posts
five inches in diameter and two
rods apart, with stay between
and the top wire four and one
half feet high.
The objection to the fence is
the size of the posts and the
height of the top wire. We don't
presume-there is fence in Baca
county that complies with the
law in both of these respects,
and consequently no one who
could collect any damages should
stock break in and destroy their
crop.
A fence with posts two rods
apart and with the top wire four
and a half feet high, is OF kind
to invite stock to become breechy
Instead of Dig posts two rods
apart, the law should provide
small posts, such as are obtain
able. say two or three inches in
diameter every rod apart; and
instead of top wire four and a
half feet from ground, it should
be four feet from ground.
This law should be passed ear
ly in the session under an emer-
gency clause to afford the neces
sary protection to farmers for
their next years crop.
Reverting back to the herd
law, we don't believe the legis
lature should pass any such
farce of measure as has been
prepared, and we underst stand
will be introduced, by the state
z range.
The bill they have prepared is
not a herd law, but a lane law,
and affords no protection to any
one-except possibly thickly set
tied irrigated districts.
After passing the fense law,
we believe that a local-optlon
herd-law bill should be passed,
providing for the submission of
the gu sstlon to the voters of the
county at any regular election on
a suitable petition by certain
per cent of the voters of the
county asking for such submis-
sion of the question.
That would give The Counties
chance to vote on the question at
the next regular election. If it
was thought it should be sub
mitted before that time, the bill
could provide for a special elec-
ton.
However, our opinion of the
matter is that if every farmer in
the county will grow from twen
ty acres up of broomcorn rext
year, and something like twenty
acres of beans, they will then
fence their fields for their own
use, and the cry for herd law
will cease
Provided they are given SEN
sible fence law, which as stated
should be one OF the first meas,
ures passed at the legislature
this winter.