USA > Texas > A Twentieth century history of southwest Texas, Volume I > Part 37
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J. C. Loving, of Jack county, was elected secretary at the organi- zation of the association, and was re-elected each succeeding year to the time of his death. In 1879 he was also elected treasurer, and filled both positions to March, 1893, when E. B. Harrold was elected treasurer, which position he held until March. 1900, when S. B. Burnett was elected treasurer, and has been re-elected each succeeding year since. J. C. Loving also filled the position of general manager of the associa- tion from 1884 to the time of his death, November 24, 1902, when J. W. Colston was chosen, by the executive committee, as assistant secre- tary, to fill out the unexpired term of Mr. Loving.
After a service of nearly twenty-six years as secretary of the as- sociation, and eighteen years as general manager, J. C. Loving expired November 24, 1902, at his home in Fort Worth. To him, more than any one man, is due the success of the association, and to his memory will be erected a monument by the association, as a token of appreciation of the man and his valuable services.
At the annual meeting in March, 1905, Captain John T. Lytle was re-elected secretary and general manager, a position he held until his (leath in 1906.
The association keeps cattle inspectors at the principal markets, shipping points, on trails leading out of the state; also looks after the range depredations, and gives more and better protection to cattle growers than can be obtained from all other sources combined; has
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broken up more organized bands of thieves and sent more of them to the penitentiary than could have been done by any other power. This department of the association is under the management of an executive committee, chosen at each annual meeting.
In the beginning of the Cattle Raisers' Association of Texas the scope of its operations geographically were limited. The objects of the association as formed almost thirty years ago were limited to the interests which presented themselves. Conditions have constantly changed, and with the changing conditions the association has adapted itself, its purposes, objects and aims to the necessities which have arisen from time to time.
The protective and detective features were the prime objects of the association's efforts at first, and while these are still insisted upon they are less important now than other questions to which the associa- tion has devoted itself to solve. This is an age of combination, and what individual effort is impotent to effect an organization of many whose interests run together has great power to direct to the accom- plishment of any wholesome purpose. So it is that the Cattle Raisers' Association of Texas has been foremost in agitating the question of governmental regulation of railroad rates and suppression of rebates and similar practices that now are admittedly the pre-eminent politico- economic questions before the American people for solution. In fact. the association, through its officers, is now credited as an influence of national importance in getting these matters before Congress and in advocating a just and equitable control upon the railroad interests.
In a recent interview published in the Texas Stockman-Journal, Mr. Pryor, president of the association said :- "Those veteran cowmen who organized the first Cattle Raisers' Association in Texas at the old town of Graham in the year 1877 did not at that time have the faintest idea they were laying the foundation for what is now one of the great- est and most influential organizations of its kind in this country. This small beginning, the seed of which was planted at Graham in 1877, has grown and spread until its membership is about 2,000 individuals, and it carries on its assessment rolls nearly two million cattle, and I dare say, controls as many as 5,000,000 head. The membership includes all the prominent cattlemen of Texas, a great many prominent live stock producers from New Mexico; Oklahoma, Indian Territory and Kansas, and quite a number of cattlemen from Colorado.
"The prime object of this organization at its birth was solely a pro- tective and detective association. Nearly all of its members were rais- ing cattle on open range, which created an inviting field for cattle rustlers and brand defacers. Through this organization and its methods of protection, it was enabled to render the sheriffs of the counties em- braced within the territory of this association great services, and the effective work done by this organization in bringing to justice those unlawfully handling cattle and defacing brands resulted in great bene- fits of the cattle raisers in general.
Inspectors and Officers.
"One of the first rules of this association was to put as many in-
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spectors in the field as its finances would admit. These inspectors in many cases were officers of the law. Where they were not they did great service in helping the officers in discovering depredations upon cattle belonging to the members of the association.
"In the evolution of time open ranges disappeared and the inven- tion of barbed wire and the practical use of same by the cattlemen re- sulted in the open ranges merging into large pastures. This method of course made depredations by thieves more difficult. Nevertheless, this did not in any way prevent or diminish the ardor with which these veteran cowmen, who organized this association and who are entitled to great credit, pushed this organization and increased its membership and usefulness each year.
"It soon became necessary to place inspectors at all the market centers in order to protect the membership from losing cattle that might have been shipped to the market centers, some by intention and others by mistake.
"As the necessity for ranch protection diminished it became ap- parent to the members of this great organization that other and equally as important matters should claim their attention, until in recent years they have become a large factor in shaping such legislation, both state and national, as is of vital importance to the live stock interests of the entire country.
"It is due as much or more to the Cattle Raisers' Association of Texas that the railway rate bill was finally passed by the United States Congress. The president of the Cattle Raisers' Association was chair- man of the Live Stock Transportation Association and an ex-president of the Cattle Raisers' Association was chairman of the executive com- mittee of said Live Stock Transportation Association, and it is due to this association that the twenty-eight hour limit in which stock should remain on the cars was extended to thirty-six hours by the National Congress.
"The Cattle Raisers' Association took an active interest and did as much or more than any other organization in the country towards defeating a clause in the meat inspection bill compelling packers to pay for the inspection instead of the government. Had it not been for the Cattle Raisers' Association and the active interest it took this meas- ure would no doubt have passed as originally introduced, and the live stock interests would have indirectly been made to pay for the inspec- tion.
"We must not overlook the fact, however, in these great services performed by the Cattle Raisers' Association of Texas, we have been ahly and enthusiastically supported in every instance by the National American Live Stock Association. It has joined with us and we have joined with it in every undertaking, and it is indeed gratifying to ob- serve the harmony with which these two organizations work together for the mutual benefit of all.
"I mention these facts to show what a benefit the Cattle Raisers' Association has been to all live stock producers, whether they are mem- bers of its organization or not, and it is the duty of those who are not members to join and contribute their part towards the great work be-
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ing performed by this organization. I could enumerate many benefits the Cattle Raisers' Association has been directly and indirectly instru- mental in bringing about that have resulted in great good to the live stock industry.
"Our experience and success attained in securing beneficial Na- tional legislation for the interest we represent should encourage us to proceed by the same methods to secure still more benefits, the principal one of which is the extension of our foreign trade in live stock and its products, which should mean better prices, a more stable condition of our markets and permanent prosperity to the great west.
"In this movement we should avoid partisan politics, making such demands as will command the favorable attention of both political parties, thus securing the undivided support of this entire western country."
Future Developments in Texas Cattle Business.
A recent writer in Texas Stockman-Journal speaks of the future prospects of stock farming as follows :- While there is a great deal of talk concerning the passing of the big ranches and the decadence of the cattle industry in this state, the real facts in the case do not warrant any such conclusions. It is true the big ranches are passing-that hundreds of the large pastures in the state have been sold and cut up into small tracts during the past year, but that does not signify that Texas is preparing to go out of the cattle business. Any man who takes the trouble to figure the least bit on the situation must realize that Texas must always remain a great cattle producing state. No other state in the Union is so well adapted to the production of good cattle, and the time will never come when Texas will not be engaged in turning out just as good stuff as can be found in the Union.
The big ranches are going, that is true, but in lieu of the single ranch owners, the land affected is passing into the hands of many. It is simply the natural evolution that accompanies the growth and devel- opment of the country, and instead of one man owning many cattle, we are going to see many men owning a few cattle. By the term a few cattle is meant smaller numbers in comparison with the former large herds held by individual ownership. There will be just as many cattle and there will be more owners. That will be about the only change.
One well informed cowman was discussing this point with the writer only a few days ago. He has been identified with the range country sections of Texas for more than a quarter of a century, and still owns large ranch and cattle interests in that section, steadfastly resisting all temptations to sell. He gave it as his opinion that the time was near at hand when Texas must produce more cattle than ever before. He said as the west settled and developed every man who made his home in that section must gather about him a small bunch of good cattle. As fecd crops flourish throughout that portion of the state, they will continue to be cultivated, and the man who produces feed crops must have stock to feed it to. Good stock must always command good prices, and so long as good prices prevail men will continue to produce good stock. As one man succeeds others will feel incited to follow the
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example, and he believes the cattle business in Texas is just now on the eve of its greatest development.
Another thing that is going to stimulate the renewed production of cattle in Texas is the general improvement in conditions. Prices this spring are highly suggestive of the good old days embraced in the boom period, and when prices show this stiffening tendency the man who has been sitting back waiting for the return of prosperity invari- ably proceeds to get busy. It may be that the days of large cattle specu- lation are gone in Texas, for the business is getting on a different basis, but there need be no apprehension as to the future production of cattle in this state. Opportunity is at hand and Texas cattlemen have not been slow in the past to take advantage of opportunity.
There is not much real difference after all between ranching and stock farming. The stock farm is simply an evolution of the ranch. The demand was first made for improved cattle, and when these were provided it was discovered the provision did not go far enough. Im- proved cattle involved improved methods, including protection and feed. It was found that feed was cheaper when produced on the ranch than when hauled from the feed store, and the ranches began to produce feed. In contradistinction to the practice of agriculture, this was dubbed stock farming, and stock farming it will always remain. The ranch- man could never consent to become a straight agriculturist, for con- sistency is one of his virtues. But it does not hurt very deep to call him a stock-farmer, and he is content to let it go at that. It may be he feels a mistake has been made in the cutting up of the old range and would be glad to see a return to old conditions. But the thinking stockman of the day realizes these things are impossible. The man who would stay in the procession is compelled to get in line with those who are traveling in that direction, and this is just exactly what the great ma- jority of the cattlemen of Texas are now doing.
Sheep Husbandry and Wool Business.
It is recorded that a home market for wool was established, the first wool bought and warehoused in San Antonio in April, 1859. Pre- vious to that time George Wilkins Kendall had established his sheep ranch above New Braunfels and had published his successful results with sheep husbandry. From this time the sheep industry assumed increasing importance in Southwest Texas. The vast ranges were oc- cupied by sheepmen and cattlemen alike, and though their relations were not always harmonious, they recognized that they stood in close rela- tion to each other as concerned outside dangers that threatened their occupation.
The position of San Antonio as a wool market is still well re- membered, for until a few years ago it boasted the high honor of being one of the largest and most important wool markets in the world. The rapid rise of the wool market was noted over thirty years ago, when the total wool brought into the city for the year 1874 was 400,000 pounds, and the total for 1875 was 600,000; the price in the latter year ranging from 28 cents for the best grade to 17 cents to the poorer Mexican grade. In short, San Antonio soon became the market center
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for one of the greatest wool-producing countries of the world, and con- tinued as such until the reduction of the high protective tariffs during Cleveland's second administration. This was a blow to the city's com- mercial prosperity and to the prosperity of Southwest Texas as well, the full results of which it would be difficult to estimate. Suffice it to say that hundreds of sheep-raisers were forced out of the business, as is told in the sketches of ranchmen elsewhere in this work; that one of the greatest sources of commercial profit was taken from San Antonio : and that the sheep industry has never since attained the proportions that it had before the lowering of the tariff wall. The last result, it should be stated, has been partly due to changing conditions in Southwest Texas during the period since 1895.
Perhaps the most interesting phase of the wool business, aside from its general features, was the part it played in politics during the early eighties. The discussions attendant upon free trade are very illuminat- ing of the conditions of the sheep industry at that time. It is especially noteworthy that here, in the Democratic state of Texas, the principles of high protection found some of their stanchest allies and defenders in the persons of the wool growers.
Here is a very interesting letter on the subject, published in the San Antonio Express, April 9, 1882 :-
While out in the Rio Grande country, I met and conversed with a great many sheepmen. The sheepmen of Texas as a class are remarkably intelligent. They are gentlemen in appearance and gentlemen in fact. They are also generally rich, or in very good circumstances. They are the aristocracy of the stockmen. They are readers and thinkers. They are a pleasant sort of men to be among. I find that they are quitting the Democratic party unanimously, and not only quitting it but determined to fight it vigorously. That is the only fault that I can find in them as a class, if it be a fault.
I asked them to please give me the reason for this sudden and remarkable change in politics. They said that the Democratic party is trying to destroy their business by free trade, and that they must fight it on the ground of self- protection. They contended that if the trade principles of the Democratic party were carried out, it would bankrupt the entire wool-growing interests of the state,-in fact destroy it utterly. To sustain this melancholy view of the case they gave many figures and arguments, which seemed very strong. A Mr. Shafer of
Conditions Before 1867.
Duval County, who is largely interested in sheep, and is withal a man of ability, spoke of the terribly depressed conditions of the wool interests previous to 1867. "During the war," said he, "the duty on wool was taken off, or made very low. The wool interests would then stand it, as prices were good, owing to the scarcity of cotton and the general stimulus given to manufactures by the war. But when the war ceased, the price of wool fell so low that sheepmen couldn't keep their heads above water. Thousands were ruined all over the country, and nearly every- body sold out who could do so. The butcher-stalls were covered with the car- casses of the finest merinos. The depression was felt nowhere so severely as here in Texas. It was a hard struggle to keep from going down. I had confidence in the final outcome, and to keep myself afloat and save my sheep, I had to sell cattle, horses, and everything else pretty much. In 1867 Congress, seeing that the wool interests were rapidly being destroyed, passed a bill to protect us, by restoring the duty on foreign wools. The effect was instantaneous. The wool business im- mediately took a fresh start, and is now, as you know, one of the most important in the country. Without the legislation of 1867 we would have all been destroyed. In a little while, there would have been no wool grown in the country, and foreign wool growers would have had the monoply of us."
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Mr. Shafer further remarked that until the wool interests in Texas got on its legs again, the entire southwestern portion of the state was a wilderness, paying hardly any revenue into the treasury. "There were large cattlemen," said he, "but they owned very little land, and consequently paid little or nothing on real estate. But how is it now? When we began to prosper again, we sheepmen came into Southwest Texas and bought large bodies of land, building improve- ments, etc. They began to flock in from every quarter, buying up land for sheep pastures, and fencing it in. The cattlemen to protect themselves had to follow suit, and they bought large tracts of land also, upon which they have to pay taxes the same as us sheepmen. They talk about the big surplus in the treasury at Austin. I tell you sir, it is greatly due to us sheepmen and the protective act of '67. The Democratic party proposes to restore the ruinous condition that existed previous to the act of 1867, and of course, we are bound to fight them, and will do so to a man." Other sheepmen all Democrats heretofore, remarked that if necessary they would raise a pile of money to lick the Democracy, and they are in dead earnest. These sheep-fellows are no mean customers to fight. They are brim-full of energy, as well as intelligence and good sense, and will work like beavers. They employ a large number of men, and these employes will be very apt to vote as they do. The merchants who handle the wool will, no doubt, take a hand on the same side. If you want to hear folks squeal, Messrs. Editors, you just touch their pockets.
Editorially, the Express said, under the same date :-
Elsewhere we publish a letter to the Galveston News, headed "Politics in Western Texas," written by N. A. Taylor, Esq., and it is useless to deny the fact that it reflects the situation to a considerable extent. The wool-growers of Western Texas as a class are educated and intelligent. think for themselves, and while they are largely Democratic, their party fealty will not carry them to the extent of voting and working in a cause that threatens to severely cripple, if not destroy, a business they have been devoting years of toil and deprivation to building up to a re- munerative standard. The free trade cry has been taken up by a large number of Democratic papers of the country, with the avowed purpose of making it a leading issue in the coming presidential campaign, and with success attending their efforts, we can not be suprised if the sheep men of Texas, like those Democrats engaged in or dependent upon other interests in other sections of the country owing their prosperous condition to protection, forsake their party and join with that, promising to see that their interests are not jeopardized. It will be impossible to convince them that they will be benefited by a Democratic victory. at the expense of the loss of their business.
We do not believe the tariff question would cause many Democrats among the wool-growers to vote the Republican ticket for county or state offices, but they would vote it for the president and congressmen unless the candidates for the latter were outspoken for a reasonable protection to all American industries, for each must stand by the other when assailed. But the political complexion of a ticket is important only as it bears upon the presidential or congressional elections, and therefore, as far as the political policy of the country is concerned, there would be little gained by having this large and influential class vote for Democrats only for state and county officers.
Third Producing Interest of Texas.
The wool-growers of Texas are an important element, and have a vast in- fluence. They represent the third producing interest of the state, and will devote their time and means to achieving success in an election where their material interests are at stake; and while they may not be able to affect the state or presidential ticket, they could certainly make it very interesting for free-trade candidates for Congress in two or three congressional districts.
The depth of the sentiment for protection among the sheepmen and their influence with the great body of live-stock producers, is illus- trated in the remarks of the president of the Stock Raisers' Association in his annual address in January, 1882. He said :-
We are naturally interested-that which conduces to the prosperity of the
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grower, breeder, and dealer of sheep in one section of the state, either directly or indirectly aids the sheep men of every section. United we are a power to accomp- lish any desired worthy purpose we may elect. whether it be in the enactment of laws for our protection and development. the enforcement of laws already in existence, or as benefactors to our race in our state and nation. We have reason for gratitude because our efforts as growers of wool and breeders of sheep have been so signally blessed during the past few years.
That our climate, soil and grasses are not excelled for the production of superior sheep for both wool and mutton has been fully proven. Though the prices paid for our wools have generally been satisfactory, yet the attempts of inter- meddlers to tamper with and reduce the import duties has at various times de- pressed the markets, lessened the prices of wools and produced uncertainty, both to the manufacturer and producer. It is not the expectancy or desire, of the wool- growers of the United States to build up and protect their own industry at the expense or injury of other vocations, but they believe (and the results of a wise protective system in the past proves this belief to be the correct one) that by placing themselves on a firm foundation with other producers and with the manu- facturers every class of laborers will be the beneficiaries, and capital will find ready and profitable investments.
The great tariff convention recently held in New York, where all the in- dustries of the nation were represented, has spoken and given no uncertain sound. Congress is asked to legislate for the protection of home, not foreign industries. It now seems quite certain that the tariff laws are to be acted upon in a manner that will put them to rest for many years to come.
If a just and equitable protective tariff and revenue laws are made permanent, the future of the woolgrowers of the United States will be as bright and certain as the past few years have been prosperous and progressive. I suggest that this association take such action as shall make known to our representatives in congress our desires, and also provide our quota of means to aid the executive board of the National Woolgrowers' Association in bringing the woolgrowers' interests promin- ently forward at Washington at the proper time.
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