I 



THE FOREST RESERVES 181 



careful investigation of local interests,^" and there was real cause for 

 resentment in some sections, especially since the reservation of the 

 lands did not accomplish anything toward their protection. Remon- 

 strances poured into Congress. On February 28, Senator Allen of 

 Nebraska presented a memorial from the Nebraska state senate, ask- 

 ing Congress to annul one of Cleveland's proclamations.^^ The next 

 day, Carter of Montana presented a resolution from the legislature of 

 Wyoming, praying for the abolition of one of the new reserves in that 

 state, "lest it seriously cripple and retard the state's development."^^ 

 The Seattle Chamber of Commerce,^^ and various other commercial 

 associations in the West sent petitions and remonstrances. 



A determined effort was made by Senator Mantle of Montana, 

 Clark of Wyoming, and other western men, during the closing days of 

 Cleveland's administration, to secure the revocation of these procla- 

 mations by means of a rider to the Sundry Civil Bill. Senator Clark 

 offered the amendment. "We have protested by this amendment," he 

 announced, "against a most grievous wrong that I am convinced was 

 perpetrated in ignorance and since that time has been continued by 

 obstinacy, because, the facts and circumstances being once known as 

 to these reservations, nothing but pure obstinacy would persist in a 

 course that threatens so much disaster to a large portion of this 

 Republic." 



Clark's amendment was accepted by the Senate, but when it came 

 up in the House, Lacey of Iowa offered as a substitute an amendment 

 giving the President authority to modify or vacate altogether any 

 executive order creating forest reserves. After some debate, the House 

 agreed to this substitute. When it came to the Senate, considerable 

 hostility was evident, but Clark and his supporters finally abandoned 

 their attempt to revoke the proclamations during that session of 

 Congress. They announced, however, that they would block legislation 

 in the next session until they got relief. "I want to say here and now," 

 declared Mantle, "that if these assurances (of modification of the 

 proclamations) should fail of realization, if the people of those states 



«oFernow, "History of Forestry," 418. See also S. Doc. 68; 55 Cong. 1 sess. 

 »i Cong. Bee, Feb. 28, 1897, 2480. 



32 Cong. Bee, Mar. 1, 1897, 2548. 



33 S. Doc. 68; 55 Cong. 1 sess. 



