The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-09
WA SHINCTON.
Exploration of the Great
Colorado Desert.
LOUISIANA AND FINANCE.
Alarming Effect Of the Rum Revolution
on the Revenue Receipts.


on the Revenue Receipts.
WASHINGTON March 8, 1874.
Private Exploration OF the Great
Colorado Desert and It's ResuIts--Irrt-
CATION Proposed-The Bed OF an Ancient
Sea. With Aztec Civilization en- Its
Shores.
Senator Jones' OF Nevada, has received full re-
ports OF the results OF scientific exploration
made at the expense of himself and private
citizen OF California last summer for the purpose
OF ascertaining the practicabity OF retaining or
submerging the Great Colorado Desert by turning
into 1t the waters OF the Colorado River the Gulf
OF California The report OF Mr.. J. Z. James. the
engineer who conducted the expedition, and an
elaborate commentary upon 1t by Mr.. r. E.
Itch, an eminent civil engineer OF San Fran
CISCO furnish the following very Interesting infor-
nation, much of which Is entirely new. The ex-
ploration shows that the greater portion Of the
Colorado Desert and the Moare Valley and Death
Valley, which lie north OF it, are from forty to
100 feet below the level OF the sea, and
tnat this great DESERT stretching IRON Lower
California to InyO county, in the State of Calfor-
MIA, and from the basin of the Coast Range Noun
tains to the Colorado River, comprising an area OF
about 800 miles long by $50 wide may be converted
into chain OF lakes or irrigated by the method
above mentioned; and also that large portion OF
this "desert" really CONSISTS OF extremely fertile
soil, being deep aliuvIum susce ptibe of the high
est cultivation. 1t is further shown that the
prevalence OF what known as '.sand-
storms" and hot, desicating winds and the
deficient rain.fall-the evils suffered by the
surrounding country and as far north
as the Tulare Valley of Californa--are
directly traceabe to the existence of this desert,
which q Ynro
stantly rises IN the summer time vast column of
heated air, without apprecable humidity. Thus
the moisture OF the rain bearing clouds, which are
blown nOrthWesterly during the summer months
from the Gulf OF California, Is dssipated soon
as they reach the borders OF this superheated region
and prevented from reaching The dry but fertile
plains OF California beyond. The shells found on
the surface OF this desert prove that it has been
one time the bed of a sea and at q subsequent
period the bed Of fresh water lake. The shore
lines OF both sea and lake can still be seen and
recognized in many places; and Mr. Stretch ex-
presses the opinion that the Aztec civilization OF
the adjacent region in Arizona (of which there are
SO many traces) came to an end in consequence OF
the climatic changes caused by the evaporation of
these vast lakes in Southern California after the
Colorado River had cut down its bed IN the Great
Canyon 80 deep that its course was diverted at
COlviile to southerly direction. The question Is
suggested whether these desert lands cannot be
reclaimed by irrigation, and thus saved, instead OF
being totally submerged, as 1t is considered GER
tain that covering them with vegetation would
tend to prevent the evaporation OF moisture and at
the, same time act as a preclpitant for whatever
moisture the atmosphere may carry, or whether
both plans might not be combined. Senator Jones
expresses the opinion that, although either course
would Involve large expenditures Of money, the
ia nj ipt tn ha INV.
investigation py the government, which alone ass
the necessary resources and appliances at com.
mand for thorough examination Of the subject.
IT. by such an examination the feasibility OF the
work should ne demonstrated private capital
might be found to undertake it. He, therefore,
purposes to bring the matter to the attention OF
Congress, with the view OF having q survey made
by the government.
|! The Proposed New Shipping Law.
One OF the most prominent coastwise steamship
owners has been here urging upon the members Of
both houses OF Congress the justice and necessity
OF the prompt passage Of the bill prepared by the
counsel OF the New York Shipowners' Association.
The complaints he presents against the Shipping
Commissioner Of New York indicate that the ship
ping merchants there are under the existing law,
entirely at his mercy, and are without any means
OF redress.
Morton to Reply to Carpenter ON Louis
lana, and to Further Eiucidatc His
Ideas on Finance.
Senator Morton will reply to the speech Of
Senator Carpenter on Louisiana affairs, and VIII
also answer the criticisms made upon his position
on the financial question, that he will be better
understood.
Private Benevolcnce to the Destitute
Teachers Of Washington and George
town.
MIR. W. W. Corcoran yesterday enlarged his offer
to advance money to pay the salaries o. the teach
ers OF Washington and Georgetown, by making the
sum cover two months instead Of one. 1t was
accepted very gratefully by the teachers.
The Alleged Violations OF the Eight-Hour
Law in the New York Post Office.
The Committee on Public Buildings and Grounds
Of the House have appointed Messrs Kilinger, Of
Pennsylvania; Sprague of Ohio, and Mhken, Of
Kentucky, subcommittee to visit New York and
inquire into the alleged violations of the Eight
Hour law on the government buildings now in
process of construction.
The Resolution of Censure Against
Sumner.
Joshua B. Smith, the noted colored caterer OF
Boston, and now member Of the Great and Gen.
eral Court Of Massachusetts, was especially COM
mssioned by Governor Washburn to bring on the
resolution resembling the resolution Of censure on
Sumner for his proposition to remove the names
of victories during the late war from regmental
flags Smith is devoted to Sumner and he loves
Butler; SO he finds himself in dilemma, and
might exclaim "How happy could be with either,
were t'otner dear charmer away"
The Effect OF the Liquor Crusade on the
Revenue Receipts.
Secretary Richardson has informally called the
attention of some Of the members Of the Ways and
Means Committee to the continued falling or in
the receipts from spirits, and to the probability OF
similar falling OF in the revenue on fermented
liquors, the sale Of both articles being Intimately
connected in the retail trade. Whether the de-
crease VIII continue he does not pretend to say,
but he is Of opinion that the temperance crusaders
will interfere with the receipts from spirits and
fermented liquors. which deficit, If not anticipated,
may be the cause OF trouble to the Treasu ny here
after.
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