462 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



fjAK 11, 



to lb': means of visiting the Park, there should 1)0 no restriction of 

 any bjttfli bill every visitor should be at liberty to no in such vehicles 

 mvl alt) -i-such fashion as may suit either his purse or inclination. 

 Tin' Srer vtary of the Interior transmits lo the Senate ft copy "f the 



letter addressed by Mm to James * Brfcbln, giving him the privil- 

 ege Of putting B steam vessel for carrying passengers on Yollow- 

 Itoue Lake, lini upon w hat conditions or under what restrictions this 

 permit was given does not appear. So far as the committee is in- 

 formed in the communication, the party running the vessel is under 

 no restrictions whatever, either as to the capacity of the vessel, the 

 aooomniodal ions furnished or the rates aharged. If such permission 

 be granted at all. it should certainly he guarded as to insure the 

 comfort of visitors and absence of extortion. Nothing but absolute 

 necessity, however, sboul 1 permit I be great national Park to be used 

 foi -money -making- by private persons, and in our judgment no such 

 necessity exists. The purpose to which this region, matchless in its 

 wonders and grandeur, was dedicated — "a public Park and a pleas- 

 ure ground for the benefit aud enjoyment of the people"— Is worthy 

 the highest patriotism audJstatosmtthsnip. If Congress shall do its 

 in';. Ml I perfsoi >• ■ b'gislat ion contained in the act. of 1872, it will 

 be no longer necessary for Americans to visit the Alps in order to 

 enjoy mountain soenery. No other region can rival inn. 



^tractions the Yellowstone Parte, 



tut: senate B1LI,. 



An admirable bill has been drawn by the Committee for 

 the future government of the Park. The Committee are 

 disposed lo think that the Interior Department transcended 

 its authority in agreeing to lease the Park, and 



li n as agreed to rBport a bill clearly defining the duties of the De- 

 partment, and also extending the area of the Park to the east to a 

 line, north and south through Cedar Mountain and southward to the" 

 tlth parallel of north latitude, an addition of about 3.3U square miles 

 to the Par!.-, the whole area of which would be 6,641 square mill's. 

 The Dill provides that all of the territory embrant d within the limits 

 of I lie Park as so extended and increased shall be reserved and with- 

 draw n from settlement, occupancy or sale under the laws of tl e 

 United States, and dedicated and set apart ass public park or pleos- 

 ii i v ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United 



.! ., .,,i -aid territory so set apart shall be under the control of 

 ih, Secretory of Ihe Interior 1 and subject to all the provisions of see- 

 tipns -'. I.i I and S, ITS Revised Statutes of the Uuited States, except as 

 hen in otherwise provided; that the Secretary shall make and pub- 

 ll.-li rules for the government and protection of the Park, and 

 cause all persons trespassing upon its territory to be re- 



' therefrom, and shall take all measures which he may 



Hunk necessary to carry out the purpose of the act, and the Secre- 

 tary df War is directed to" make such details of troops as the Secre- 

 tary of the Interior may require for the purpose of preventing tres- 

 passers Or intruders from entering the Park with the object of 

 destroying its game, or for removing such persons from the Park. 

 The killing, wounding or capturing, at uuy time, of any buffalo. 



SB, elk, black-tailed or white-tailed deer, mountain sheep. 



Pocky Mountain goal., antelope, beaver, otter, marten, fisher, grouse. 

 prairie chicken, pheasant, fool-hen, partridge, quail, wild goose, 

 duck, robin, meadow lark, thrush, goldfinch, flicker or yellow ham 

 nier, blackbird, oriole, jay, snowbird, or any of the small birds coni- 

 lllOnlj known as •■.-ingiug birds," and the taking of tlsh in the waters 

 of I he Park by means of seines, nets, (raps, or by the use of drugs or 

 any explosive substance or compound, or in any other way than by 

 hook and line are prohibited within the limits of the Park under pen' 



: . line fur each offonsa of not less than $80 and not more than 

 $150, or "imprisonment not longer than three months, or both. The 

 possession of dead birds or fish is constituted prima facie evidence 

 Of violation of the provisions, and any person, stage, express or rail- 

 way company receiving or transporting such bodies are h'ableupon 

 enuvlotiou to forfeit for each offense $250, to be recovered by a pro- 

 ceeding in the nature of an information in the court having jurisdic- 

 tion. 



The Secretary of the Interior may. In his discretion, grant leases 

 for terms not exoceding ten years of small parcels of ground within 

 i he Park, but no more ground shall bo so leased than Is necessary 

 for the hotels or storehouses necessary to the accommodation of 

 visitors and necessary outhouses and loehouses, and for gardening 

 "i- grazing land hi connect ion with said hotels; but no exclusive 

 privilege or monopoly of any kind shall be granted to any person or 

 company or corporation for any purpose within said Park; nor shall 

 any lease or contract be made which in any degree or manner inter- 

 fores with or prevents the free and unrestricted access of the public 

 to all portions of the Pat*. 



The laws of Montana are made to cover the Park, which for juris- 

 dictional purposes is made part of Gallatin county. The regulations 

 mad" and published by the Secretary of the Interior for control of 

 the Park and protection of the game are given the force of law, an o 

 penalties for meir violation are prescribed. The Secretary- of the 

 Interior Is uuthoib.ed to appoint; a superintendent at an annua) 

 .i ' md ten assistants at $900 each, who are given the 



authority of deputy marshals within the Park. The Secretary of 

 WaV li instructed to detail au officer of the Engineer Corps, who 

 shall survey such roads and bridges as may be necessary. 



GAME IN THE NATIONAL PARK. 



Among (he interesting literature concerning the attempted 

 National Park grab is a letter sent by Col. John Schuyler 

 f.Vosby, Governor of Montana, to Senator George G. Vest. 

 It will lie seen that, the statements made therein bear out all 

 l hat has been said on. the subject in the columns of Kobest 

 hSfB Stream. The letter is as follows: 

 [Copy. 



Ci 



Mm. George ft i"«f, VnOedSl6 



My Dear Senator: In compliance with y 

 an ! ii BOOl Of the Senate Chamber early 

 give my views on the subject: of gome pro 

 Notional Parte, I have the honor to add] 



for, l 



i, December an, 1882. 

 iHliingtou, p, a.: 

 r wish, expressed to me 

 December, that I should 

 Hon in the Yellowstone 

 3 this note to you, and 

 should lie glad to have B subject so Impottaut lo Montana End to the 

 national interest in the Yellowstone Park laid with this letter before 

 the Committee on Territories, of which you are a member, and also, 

 should i on, think proper, before Congress. 



from careful examination of Congressional legislation creating 

 the .National Park (gee sections 2,171-2,475 United States Revised 

 Statiitesi. and of the Territorial laws of Montana, the report of my 

 r and the expressed wish of influential citizens of this 

 Territory, I judge that the preservation of the large game of the 

 Morthwestlu the Park and in the Territory of Montana wouldacoord 

 with the sentiments of the. public. Congress has enacted that the 

 Hou, liable Secretary of the Interior shall provide against the 

 wanton destruction of the game within the Park itself aud against 

 their capture for the purposes of merchandise or profit. The laws 

 ,,.,... .a lo a like end for the. game, withiu her bordcrsarc explicit. 

 The Territorial laws of Montana for 1870 protected tho bison or buf- 

 falo tor len years from that date in the. counties of Madison, Jeffer. 

 son. Deer Lodge and Lewis and (.'lark, somewhat contiguous to the 



Yellowstone Porte, ant the beneficial effect of this legislation seems 



Indicated by Lieuteuant-cteueral Sheridan in his report of 1831 



that "this year 1 noticed that buffalos were on the edges oJt the Pari;." 

 The Territorial laws of Montana also wisely provide that none of the. 

 large gramnivorous game shall lie killed during the breeding season, 

 and absolutely prohibits the hunting of elk. antelope and mountain 

 sheep with dogs at any time in any part of the Territory. The kill- 

 ing of any of the animals above named for their skins and not for 

 food is prohibited under heavy penalties, and still further to protect 

 them bounties are given for the scalps of the panther and the bear. 



Under these positive conditions of national and Territ rial pro- 

 tection of game by statute, the splendid aud interesting game ani- 

 mals of North America, tho bison, the elk, the black and white-tailed 

 deer, the Rocky Mountain sheep and the antelope ought to Increase 

 and fill tho thousands of square miles of the Yellowstone Park w ith 

 objects of Instruction to the naturalist and curious delight to the 

 tourist from every land. Even the overflow of game from a well 

 preserved park of such extent woidd supply- forever large quantities 

 of food to the settler and the sportsman in Its proper season. So far 

 as legislation is concerned, national and Territorial provisions, 

 though capable of some desirable improvement, would seem to be 

 rightly directed and reasonably efficient for their ostensible object - 

 the pretention "f the large North American game in Montana, and the 

 National Park. But the report, of Genera! Sheridau presents evidence 

 of lamentable deficiency iu the means or powers of enforcement. 



rieneral Sheridan states in his report dated November 1, 1W2, page 

 8; "The game in the Park is being killed' off rapidly, especially in 

 tho winter. I have been credibly informed that, since Its discovery 

 as many as 4,000 elk were killed by skin-hunters In one winter, and 

 that even last winter in and around the edges of the Park there were 

 as many as 3,000 of these grand animals killed, to say nothing of Ihe 

 mountain sheep, antelope, deer and other game slaughtered In great 

 numbers." 



The entire paragraph or page of his report of 1882 is respectfully 

 commended to your kind attention as embodying most admirable 

 practical suggestions for protecting the rights of the people of Mon- 

 tana and of the whole United States against the greed or wanton 

 cruelty of a few marauders, and of preserving and increasing (he 

 value Of the most splendid game park in the world, which cannot 

 fall to redound to the fame and profit of this magnifier nt Ten -if. -:-;,-. 

 I helicve that the suggested increase of the area of Ihe Yellowstone 

 Park, the absolute protection of the game within Its borders from 

 all molestation by hunters and enforcement by the people of Montana 

 of ibeir own wise and excellent game laws in the rest of the Ter- 

 ritory are steps auxiliary to each other and quite within the scope 

 of legislative power. For the settler now despoiled of his amuse- 

 ment and his food by wanton waste; for the Indian made savage 

 when hungry ; for Ihe naturalist, the tourist and the true sportsman ; 

 tor the reputation of this unequalled Park and Territory, the 

 national power over the Territories is invoked to prevent a waste of 

 life that must end in the extermiu'ition of the large game. At the 

 moment that the invaluable Baird Commission is laboriously reno- 

 vating our streams and rivers, depleted of fish and striving to increase 

 the ocean supply of food; at the. moment that societies to prevent 

 cruely to animals are assuming national Impoitance, the failure to 

 protect the wild herds of the Northwest, against wholesale slaughter 

 for their pelt alone or for the brutal and unsportsmanlike love of 

 killing would seem a crime ns well as a blunder. Our opportunities 

 have no equal in the world. I would take the liberty to urge upon 

 Congress the passage of a law extending the limits of the National 

 Park eastward as proposed by General Sheridan, inasmuch ns I am 

 Informed by officers and others who have been over the country of 

 the Shoshone ranges of molmtaius between It degrees and 15 degrees 

 north latitude adjoiulng and east of the Yellowstone Park that the 

 altitude and general roughness of this region are such that can never 

 be utilized by settlers, while it is the natural habitat of the game to 

 be preserved. 



I need not suggest that the policy of making provisions for the 

 great natural Interests in the Territories has been so illustrated in 

 the past that Congressional legislation for the Territorial Park- 

 would seem natural and proper. So-called "sportsmen" from other 

 lands annually destroy vast quantities of game and return to their 

 respective homes publicly proclaiming the large number of head 

 they have killed, and then return again with increased forces to re- 

 peat their wanton slaughter. These and akin-hunters would in- 

 found the most violent objectors to national aud local laws that 

 should essay to protect (he large game for the bona fide settler of 

 Montana and adjacent Territories. In the name of her hardy, in- 

 dustrious and enterprising people and of true sportsmanship every- 

 where. I ask for absolute protection for the gurao that flies to the 

 Park for safety. Again 1 earnestly solicit your attention and con- 

 sideration to General Sheridan's proposition touching the increase 

 of the Park and the methods of enforcing the game laws within its 

 limits. As this Park has been very properly placed under the eon- 

 trol of t he Honorable Secretary of the Interior, and a certain amount, 

 appropriate,! for salaries, 1 would suggest that an engineer officer 

 of the army be del died to reportto the Secretary of the Interior for 

 special duty as fionaraj Superintendent of the Park, with powers and 

 means granted to him to layout roads and make- other necessary 

 improvements, and with authority to call upon the military stationed 



in the neighborhood for such details of troops as may b -d, d for 



emergencies. After 1 uvs are passed the Superintendent of tho Park 

 should be in condition I" enforce them, which now is impossible. To 

 allow the game of the Park to be harried out of it and lie-n to -lift, r 

 its extermination iu the Territory is of course fatal to both Park and 

 Territory. But by protecting the Park and enlarging it an ark of 

 safety will be provided for the great game of North America until 

 the flood of folly subsides, and Montana aud the neighboring Terri- 

 tories will rejoice lo find in the overflow from the Parte a constant 

 supply of game for their true sportsmen. The protection of the 

 buffalo seems to rest on different principles from that of other game 

 requiring less extensive range. Within Territorial limits the killing 

 of game by settlers for food is ualural, and in my opinion the killing 

 of buffaloes in large quantities for food and hide is not objectionable; 

 for.from my own experience In constant campaigning tor Severn 1 yea is 

 on the plains of Texas to the northern Territories, the buffalo has 

 been replaced between the. tied River and North Platte by hundreds 

 of thousands of cattle, far more useful animiils. But nothing sup- 

 plies the place of the elk, the deer aud Rocky Mountain sheep and 

 goat that thrive over the rough and mountainous territory that forms 

 a largo part of the National Park. Yet from neglect on tho part of 

 the general government, and State and Territorial governments also, 

 to properly protect this game, for the past fifteen years, it is impos- 

 sible to find a hundred of antelopes, elk or deer, where there were 

 formerly vast numbers. The importance of general local protect! if 

 in the Territory, and of national protection by a proper responsible 

 officer Iu the Park, v, ith sufficient menus and power to absolutely in- 

 terdict shooting there, is vital. To permit the Park lobe in.-, rled ad 

 taogttmesbinipoJe! into the Territory left unprotected by the non-en- 

 lorceiueut of Ihelaws, will exterminate the whole game of Montana, 

 Idaho and Wyoming. This would be a calamity entailing a real loss 

 upon the people. Even little municipalities and all great ones add a 

 few deer to their partes aud pleasure grounds, ihe southern side of 

 Mont Blanc jealously preserves its ohatnois. BBsrir Athol and the es- 



tates of Buccleugh have a world-wide reputation for their herds of 

 deer and wild cattle. Every dukedom has its preserves for a few 

 aristocratic possessors. Why, in a eountry where the people are 

 kings, Should all neglect the addition go a people's park, which for 

 its extent and the magnitude and number of lie game In no land can 

 we show an equal? A park of 5,000 square miles, with scenery 

 sublime beyond description, and countless herds of elk, deer, ante- 

 lope, buffalo and Rocky Mountain sheep, would dwarf the preserves 

 of any monarch In the world. The people, through Congress, have 

 decreed that this park and its game should he free from spoliation 

 (See Revised Statutes, 2,47-1, 3,475) The citizens of Montana have 

 already shown their purpose in the vigorous laws. Interdicting the 

 hunting of large game with dogs, prohibiting tho killing of it for pelt 

 and not for food, have absolutely protected buffalo in several coun- 

 ties for ten years, and the other large game during breeding time 

 throughout the country. 



The machinery for conviction Is effective. Possession of buffalo 

 green hides In the four protected counties Is prima facie evidence of 

 guilt. 



Informers are entl tied to a quarter of the fine collected, and the 

 gov -ernmont can change its venue. The spirit is willing, but the 

 flesh Is weak. Imprisonment instead of fine would seem more effect- 

 ual to protect the people against marauders. 



I would venture to recommend that transportation companies 

 should be prohibited from carrying game unlawfully killed, as they 

 are now prohibited from carrying flsb taken by illicit means. But 

 the main defense against game extermination will be undoubtedly 

 found In enlarging the great parks of the Yellowstone, which must 

 be our future nursery of game. 



As a citizen of Montana and intrusted with the honor of its admin- 

 istration, my pride and my interest are wrapped up in her future 

 reputation and prosperity. 



I thovdd deeply lament any step that would put one of her great 

 treasures, theNational Park, iuto tho hands of speculative individ- 

 uals and out of the power of the government to manage It for the 

 beat interests of the whole people. I am, sir, very respectfully, your 

 obedient servant, 



John Schuyler Crosby, Governor of Montana. 



TLTB DRIFT OP PP.E8S OPINION. 



The readers of Fobkbt and' Stream need not be told 

 what opinion this journal as held with regard to the pro 

 jecl. to turn over the National Park to ti handful of monop- 

 olists to the very serious injury of the rights of the people, 

 The fact that we have for many years been familiar with 

 this lovely spot, and have kept ourselves infot rued m to 

 what, was going ou in it, gives us Ihe rigid to judge my 

 clearly B£ to the merits of this project. This special knowl- 

 edge, perhaps, explains whv it is that Foiiest a_nd Stream 

 has condemned the contemplated lease hyi.be Secretary Off 

 the Interior, and why, up to the publication of the Semite 

 Committee report it has stood <|uite alone in its opposition 

 to this monstrous job. 



The Park is a long way off, and is as yet known to 

 comparatively few persons, and hence there are but a small 

 number of individuals who can speak of it intelligently. 

 The admirable report, of Senator Vest's committee has 

 thrown a great deal of light on the subject, and the press 

 are uow beginning to appreciate what we have long seen 

 and insisted upon — the importance of preserving the region 

 to the people. It must be governed by the people for the 

 people. A correspondent of the New York Tims* in si very 

 intelligent communication and one which shows that lie is 

 familiar with the. Park, says: 



It seems tome remarkable that so little opposition to the iniqui- 

 tous Yellowstone Park land grab should have developed. This 

 silence is, perhaps, due more to the faet that Ihe promoters of Ihe 

 scheme have managed it with great shrewdness than that, the people 

 ore without interest In the matter. I have had occasion to visit tin- 

 Park in years past and have spent much time in exa*rining its won- 

 ders and in familiarizing myself with its strangely beautiful scenery. 

 Knowing the region thoroughly, I eaunot hul feel that if the Park is 

 given up, as proposed, to a company of speculators, the people of 

 this country will, before long, deeply regret aud reprobate the hasty 

 action of the Interior Department, and of Congress. A lease and ex- 

 clusive privileges so valuable as these are should never have been 

 granted hastily, and, least of all, by a subordinate in the absence of 

 the head of the department; and, if they are. to be granted, at least 

 something approaching an adequate return should be demanded for 

 such franchises. The present status of the project, asstatedby For- 

 est ami Stream, is as follows: 



"The lease which the company hopes to obtain provides that it 

 shall have the free use of limner in the Park for building purposes; 

 shall have the free use of arable land in the Park; shall have the 

 free use of the waters of the Park for supplying hotels and other 

 buildings; shall have the exclusive right to put yachts, sailboats and 



Tl) 



the 



, ...hone exception. WO acres, and ihe lease provides that 

 those interested shall have the use pf this land for a period often 

 years, with privilege of holding it longer. A provision iu the lease 

 also gives the company the right, to occupy such other portions of 

 the Park as may be desired. The annual rental of the land is not to 

 exceed S3 per acre, and the company expects to get a much lower 

 rate. In other words, these enormouriy valuable privileges are to 

 be leased to these men for the pitiful sum ofS'-UW ipcraunum]. Their 

 store privileges uione will be worth many times this sum, to sav 

 nothing of all the other uUual.l.- franchises enumerated before. The 

 lobby which is working for this lease is a strong one." 



If these statements are at all correct, do they not reveal acondition 

 of things that is greatly to be deplored; The men interested in this 

 Yellowstone Park Improvement Company evidently consider that 

 they are sure to get their lease, aud acting on this supposition they 

 have begun work in the Park, cutting the government, timber, build- 

 ing saw mills, fouling the streams, now so full of I rout, with saw- 

 dust, aud killing the government game to feed their gangs of lum. 

 berers. They seem to think that they hold Ihe. government and the 

 people of these United States in the hollow of their hand, and believe 

 that they have now so firm a clutch upon this people's pleasure- 

 ground that their grasp cannot be. loosened. Although the promo- 

 ters of this project have, in their communications to the press, 

 talked as if striving to convey the idea thai, they had only the inter- 

 ests pi the people at heart, and desired above all things to preserve 

 the geyser cones from mutilation and the game and timber from 

 total deslruetion, it is scarcely to be supposed that tCese fair words 

 will deceive any one. Look at the list, of those who are known to be 

 Interested, and yon will see that they are all speculators. They are 

 not the kind ot men who go into a legitimate business with the hope 

 of making a fair profit.- Not at all. Thoy see that, to 

 use. the caul phrase, "there are millions" in this Thing, 

 and they have seized it, and propose to hold on to it as long 



