The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-05
OUR WILLIAM"
He Don't Talk Much, but Gets in Some
Good Work, Alice Samee.
Chcckmating Dorsey, IngprsOil and the
Whole Gang Of Millionaire
Land Sharks.
Macemb Eagle

The following special dispatch from
Washington appeared in the Chicago
Times of February "a;
WASHINGTON Feb. GA scheme Of
certain capitalists and Spectators to get
possession of the Ojo Calienta or Hot
Springs reservation in New Mexico was
interrupted by the action of the house to.
day. The matter was brought to the
attention Of congress by a resolution
offered By Representative Niece, of Hi
nois, requ6Eing the Secretary of the
Interior to stop the sale The register of
lands at Las Cruces. New Mexico, adver-
tised that on the 9th he would sell at
auction five special sections of land, in
GLIDING the Hot Springs property and
buildings, and that no bid less than
SIS, 900 would be accepted. 1t is learned
that the sale Of this springs property in
one body would enable spectators to
obtain monopoly Of the water prlvi-
l.ges that would be unjust and iniu-
rious to the interests of settlers
in the neighborhood. A special agent of
the Interior department, in a report upon
this property says its altitude is more than
Grande at Fort Craig, and it is sheltered
on the south by q range Of mountains
which protect it from the scorching rays
Of the sun. The stream issuing from the
spring runs down the cavern distance of
twenty miles, and would furnish valuable
water power for mill owners. He recon
mended that the property be surveyed and
offered for sale in lots for town site
Lines OF communication are opening up.
and it is likely to become much more val
liable. Ar. Neece states that the springs
water probably one half million acres and
the purchasers Of the spring tract in one
body would obtain control of all the water
IN that part OF the country, and render
entirely worthless the remainder of the
lands IN that vicinity, which have been
occupied by bona f1de settlers, who have
made valuable improvements, and that
the springs ought to be reserved by the
government. The house sent the resolution
offered by Mr., Neece requesting the sec
rotary of the interior to stop the sale to
the committee on public lands, which
Immediately held special meeting and
approved the request and the secretary
promised to withhold the property from
sale
Messrs. Alley and Talbot, two heavy
eastern capitalists, and Robert Inoersoli.
left Washington on special train on
February Goth to attend the sale with a
view of purchasing the immense tract OF
land on which were the Hot Springs.
They were met at Kansas City by ex-
Senator Dorsey, who was in the scheme,
and who accompanied them the rest OF
the way. Mr.. Neece got wind of the
matter through friend, and at once real
izing the Importance Of the Springs. and
the necessity Of keeping them out of the
hands OF the spectators who intended
by purchase to obtain water monopoly
and went Immediately to the Secretary Of
the Interior and Commissioner of Public
Lands, representing the evils which
would result from the sale as advertised
and endeavored TO secure either the with
drawal Of the reservation from SALE or al
order to have it sold in separate tracts
Nothing could be done, however. anc
both officials declared the land must be
sold in a lump. Congressman Niece
finding other means useless, tried the res
olutiOn which had the desired Effect, fol
when the secretary of the interior found
out that the Committee on Public Lands
were unanimously in favor OF the resolu-
ton, he ordered the sale stopped. Mr.
keece has acted in manner worthy oil
himself and of his constituents. He il
what congressman should be-evel
ready to take up the cause of the people
whether a wrong is being do1e in illinois
New Mexico, or in any other part of the
sountry. He has preserved fer the use
Of future bona fide settlers almost price
less privileges, and bafled the schemes OF
land sharks and land monopolists. The
springs, apart from their value in irriga
ton, are said to contain valuable medi-
sinal properties, similar to the Hot Springs
Of Arkansas, which is an additional reason
why the ownership Of them should be
preserved to the government, f0r the
bsasGt and use Of actual settlers.