Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1883-02-03
eureka DAILY Sentinel.
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 8, 1888.
MR.. uowELL's MEMORIAL.

MIR. uOWELl,S MEMORIAL.
Hon. Eugene Howell, Assemblyman
from Lincoln County, has introduced a
Joint memorial and resolution to Con-
sress, which, for the interest of Nevada
and especially of the southeastern por-
ton of the State, we hope will meet with
the generous consideration of our Ma
tionai Legislature. The memorial has
passed the Assembly and will doubtless
pass the Senate also. 1t asks for an ap-
preparation for an internal Improvement,
the only one ever asked for by our State.
In fact, while millions have been ex-
pended in nearly every other State OF the
Union for the development OF internal
resources. Nevada has never received a
cent OF Government aid in this way.
The appropriation petitioned for IN the
memorial is Sl25, 600, to be used in i'm
proving the navigation of the Colorado
River between Fort Yuma and a point
80 miles above Rioyille, the junction OF
the Virgin and Colorado Rivers. The
petition is based on these. noteworthy
facts:
That the Colorado River is a portion
Of the boundary between the United
States and Mexico, the navigation OF
which, in case Of war, would be OF para
mount Importance in the protection OF
our territory and our people,
That it is now n~avigable to the june
ton of the Virgin and Colorado, at RIO
VILE, during the stages of high water
only.
That for the outlay asked the Colo
RADIO could be made, by the removal OF
distractions, navigable during all seasons
of the year for vessels Of light tonnage
to a point 80 miles above Rioville-whleh
fact is verified by the actual inspection
OF the premises by present members OF
the State Legislature, and can be estab-
lished by the inspection Of any practical
engineer; there are on both sides OF the
Colorado River mines OF gold, silver,
copper and other precious metals, and IN
the interior large tracts OF agricultural
and grazing land which are now sparsely
settled and impoverished owing to the
difficulties OF transportation, and which
would become valuable lands if the
river were fairly navigable.
That the principal distractions to the
navigation OF the river lie between a
point 80 miles above Rioville to Fort
Yuma, and consist principally OF rock,
drifts and sand bars that could be readily
removed without any great expense, as
measured by the benefits to be derived.
And that Nevada has never asked or
received any aid towards improving the
rivers in, or bordering upon, this State.
We apprehend the pith OF the memo
rial to be this, that the Colorado River
should be opened to navigation in order
to furnish transportation into and out OF
a very rich mineral territory, in which
profitable labor would be offered a large
number Of men if the required facilities
were at hand. The country at present il
dead. Mines that might be made to pay
handsomely, and about which thriving
towns would grow up, are now worth
less, as the cost Of transportation Of
supplies into this remote region from the
railroads north, and the freight Of bullion
back, more than eat up all profits. Ii
a word, a portion OF Uncle Sans terri
tory which has a splendid outlook, j
fostered by the Government, languishes
and is terra ~incognita to all but the bolt
prospectors and scientists who have eX
plored it and confirm by the statement
Of facts the reports OF its magniicen'
resources. 1t is to be hoped, and ex
pected, that Congress will favorably con
slider Nevada's appeal in this matter,
which is of much Importance to oul
State,