OPPOSITION AND SUPPORT. 85 



district mining recorders for the convenience of miners in remote 

 places. 



That a system of this sort could not be put in force without encoun- 

 tering a great deal of opposition may be taken for granted at the 

 outset. Its application would so materially circumscribe the freedom 

 now enjoyed by the various classes of timber depredators that strong 

 efforts to frustrate any plan that aimed at curtailing it would certainly 

 be made. However, it is reasonably sure that the majority of the 

 people would cheerfully obey such a system. It would extend the pro- 

 tection of the Government to all classes engaged in timber production, 

 and enable them to pursue their vocations unmolested. Timber and 

 fuel are needed to develop the West. The people must have them. 

 For want of a proper system of licenses easily obtained they resort to 

 all manner of trespasses. The system of timber reserves, even with 

 the bill presented last winter permitting the sale of timber at the dis- 

 cretion of the Secretary of the Interior, does not and would not protect 

 sufficiently, and renders the purchase of timber by the smaller con- 

 cerns a very dillicult matter. Whatever plan or system may be finally 

 adopted, let this be taken as an assured fact, that the strong hand of the 

 General Government, without delay, fear, or favor, is urgently needed 

 to put in effective force regulations that shall thoroughly protect the 

 forests of the West aud restrain the waste that now runs rampant 

 throughout their entire extent. 



