The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-29
IMPORTANT LETTER.
COMMISSIONER WALSH DIS
CUSSES IRRIGATION IN
THE WEST.
AND VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS
MADE-THE VALLEYS
MUST BE IRRI-
GATED.

HlornluB, III letter written TO Rentle-
man living at Pecos City discusses the
subject.
There is no doubt but what the state
should take some steps to secure the irri-
cation of the western valleys. Texas can
do this without the riparian troubles which
are now agitating California, and which
have necessitated the calling of the legis-
lature in extra session. In Texas the
state owns the land along the streams, and
can establish and make any law she sees
fit regulating irrigation. That irrigation
increases the value of land the following
extract from the Rio Grande Republican
shows beyond all doubt:
"Near Los Angeles, CAL piece of agri-
cultural land was bought few years ago
for $4,000, and is now valued at 100000.
Ten years ago 5000 acres was assessed at
$40 an acre; total assessment, $4,000.
Now the same tract is assessed at $780,
600. This enormous increase is due to IT.
rigation. Right here we are destined to
see great and rapid increase in valua-
tions of agricultural lands. In the last
year prices have doubled, and it is safe to
say that another year will see as great an
advance"
Commissioner Walsh's letter was
prompted by one setting forth the neces-
sity of irrigation In the Pecos valley, and
he replied as follows:
Mr.. A. NJ Walthall, Pecos City,
DEAR SIR: Yours relative to the irri-
gable valleys of our western streams, and
covering printed slip on same subject,
was received by me this morning, and
read with interest.
When the thinking men of the country
follow your lead, and give to those charg-
ed with the disposition of the educational
lands the benefit of their observation and
experience, we may hope for intelligent
laws. For the past three years it has
been the fashion to turn all the walls of
wrath on the lease law and the land
board, and attribute to them all the ills
from which the west is suffering, includ-
ing the drouth. This, of course, accom-
plishes nothing. The members of the
land board are like the cattlemen, citi-
zens of Texas, and have no ambition or
dos re except to further her interest and
encourage her development. If by their
action they have done otherwise, it has
been from want of information, or from
false information. If a man were to
hitch his horse to heavy load, and leave
off the bride and reins, reasonable people
would not excuse his beating of the horse
if he pulled honestly in the wrong direc-
ton.
Such letters as yours, calmly discussing
the real and not the imaginary evils of
our land system, furnish the reins to guide
those in charge, and the legislature, in
formulating laws when these are furnished
you, will find your horse pulling steadily
in the right direction.
1t seems strange that state like Texas,
inheriting her lands and most of her sys-
tenn of land laws from Spain and Mexico,
whose irrigation laws are prominent,
should have failed to legislate upon the
subject. Such, however, is the case, and
it becomes an important duty of those
who understand and appreciate the value
of proper distribution of the limited
water supply of the west, to see that prac-
ticable laws are passed. Don't leave the
legislature without the bride and reins.
In regard to the Pecos valley, would
say that it was withheld from market for
the reason that, under the present laws,
we could not keep it from going into the
hands of syndicates if offered for sale to
anybody. Last winter gentleman from
one of the northern states, who under
stood irrigation and the value of irrigable
lands, came here to see if he could not
induce the board to place the Pecos val
ley land on the market for actual settlers.
He fully understood the whole question
and by patient questioning and listening
finally learned his whole plan. He rep
h. 10 -
ready money. This would bring the nee
essary number of families to file on all the
available sections and place a family on
each. For the money advanced for pas
sage and outfit, and bridging the water
from the river each settler would convey
to the syndicate three-fourths of his sec
ton and the syndicate pay the balance
due the state. By this plan in three years
three fourths of the irrigable lands would
pass to stock company to be sold at
their own figures. mention this Incl
dent to show you that your valley has not
been overlooked by lynx-eyed capitalists
Some months ago l had loAg talk
with the railroad agent representing tue
ale nate sections along tine Iecos. He
started on the hypothesis that the actual
settler unaided could not establish irri-
eating bitches and that to ditch for
the school land would of necessity irrigate
the private sections and vice versa. The
question to be solved was how to proceed.
He expressed the belief that his company
would join the state in the construction of
bitches before offering the lands for sale,
and that they would only sell to actual
settlers in tracts of 40, so and 100 acres.
This plan would make everything easy and
simple if it we're not for the fact that the
state, under existing laws, could not par
ticipate.
The status of the matter seems to be:
l. Isolated settlers cannot control CAPT
tai sufficient for system of irrigation.
2. None of us wish these lands to pass
into the hands of syndicates, who will soon
place them beyond the reach of poor
men.
8. That no plan can be devised by
which the school lands can be irrigated
irrigating a like amount of
private railroad land.
Now, the point for which we all must
work is a feasible plan to secure the irri-
ga BILE valleys for actual settlers, at rea-
;onable prices and terms. If you and
other men who reside there and
Who have studied the question will for
N ulate some plan looking to this end,
ro,, mill have NV most hearty assistance