Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1873-10-25
Irrigation,

We made some mention a few DAYS
since of the Irrigation Convention at
Denver, Colorado Territory. The
people Of that Territory have taken
hold Of the matter with great earnest
ness, and propose to press the subject
before the next Congress. We are;not
fully posted as TO what they will de-
mand, but presume the programme is
to endeavor to secure Government aid
for the construction Of canals. Sub
sides for this purpose are not wholly
Objectionable. The Government be-
ing the principal owner of the lands
would be UNNECESSARILY benefited by
. liberal investment of the character
indicated. All through Colorado,
Wyoming, Montana, Utah and Neva-
da, there are millions of acres of Gov
eminent lands, now worthless, which
could be utilized and transformed
into happy homes under a proper svs-
tenn of irrigation. 1t Is the only way
in which the Government can create
. demand for much of its vast domain
stretching away through all the re-
zion between the North Platte and
Sierra Nevada Mountains. If further
subsidies are to be granted by the
Government for any purpose what
ever, let them be devoted to the re-
clamation of the arid plains and
l>sart .-oet,S 80 mo Nt,tNz o,j fI',r,;
tories Of the far West.
Governor Ebert, who was a mem.
Der Of the Colorado Convention. con-
cluded an able and eloquent address
In the following language:
It seems TO me that the magnitude
Of the question will force it upon tn e
favorable consideration of Congress.
AS a matter of duty TO is citizens,
no government can afford to let So
vast and splendid a portion of its
domain to lie waste.
AS a matter of finance, no govern
ment can afford to let the countless
millions of material wealth, which
lie locked in the productive capabili.
ties of such a domain, sleep unsum,
moned.
The constant increase of emigration
from Europe, the regular growth OF
our native population, the steady ex,
pansion of our railway system, the
Quickened power and increased vol.
m of all the forces Of industrial
organization seeking new and broader
fields of conquest, all supplicate for
the thorough and favorable consider.
alton of the question.
To what is now the great West, irri-
CATION has become a necessity, abso-
lutte and imperative in its demands.
Geographically, half a continent
politically, an entire continents in
terested.
Let US then lay our wants respect
fully and earnestly before our ma
tional Congress. Let us send up pc
titions from every State, Territory,
town and hamlet, confident that the
craftsmanship of the country Will re-
cognize and provide for the needs OF
the country. No grander possible
ties ever summoned a people 10 a Wig
orous and united effort.
Thread your mountain valleys and
parks with these great arteries of ply
steal life throw over your arid plains
the coo net work OF a thousand
canals and lakes, pour over them the
annual tides of labor and life flowing
from the East, and there is no pic,
ture Of larvest and vintage that will
equal the harvest glory which the
'beneficent mother Will spread a.
your feet. There is no dream of com.
mercial wealth and commercial pow,
or, that will equal the realization 0,
that to which this grand conquest OF
the physical conditions of halt a con
tinent invites Us.