Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-06-26

organize itself and the people for the
greatest public struggle that has ever en-
listed the popular energies of a great
American State.
The two sovereignties which had lord
ship OF this soil before it came to us by
conquest and treaty, each recognize the
value and Importance Of useful appropri-
alton Of water to promote the fruitfulness
ofthe soil. Under Spanish and Mexican
law the greatest utility OF our streams
had been recognized, though those gov
ernments did not know, as we have
learned by experiment here, the magnifi-
cent results that were to follow the
bringing of land and water together.
Spain had learned OF Saracen and Moor
the value Of irrigation by the gardens it
created on her soil during the seven cen
turtles Of occupation. After they had
made their last stand at Granada, and
were routed from the peninsula, their
great hydraulic works were permitted to
fall into disuse and decay. The life-giv-
ing waters no longer conjured the latent
generosity of the plains, nor in tinkling
fountains lulled the MONDAY siesta The
irrigated lands were given up for sheep
walks, and in that industry Spain sought
to replace the profits that had been borno
by vineyard and orchard. BY high breed
ing she produced the Merinos, and set
up wool staple to rival the Downs OF
England. But her bleating focks, nib
bling the scorched hcrbagc OF arid plains,
were a sorry Substitute for the happy
people whose toll had been made pas
time by the combination Of land and
water under kindly sun. At last in
Murcia, Valencia and Granada, the bro
ken hydraulic systems were mended
After long divorce the land and water
were welded again, and at once sprung
from vine and tree the luscious fruits to
celebrate the marriage feast. The lands,
again reclaimed soon commanded an
annual rental per acre, equal to the first
cost of non-irrigated lands adjoining.
The fiock-master gave way TO the wine
presser, to the merchant in raisins and
oil, and Spain bad learned lesson which
she, in turn, taught to her colonies and
her people wherever her discoveries and
conquests brought them in contact with
similar physical conditions.
We have gone through an almost SINH
lar experience in parts of this common
wealth, where fiocks and herds at last
overran valleys and mesas which CEN
tury ago had been irrigated by the Mis-
sion fathers, and the recent history Of
more than one "cow county" stands in
testimony to the wisdom which here has
at last recognized the necessity of use
fully appropriating the waters which have
been running wastcfully to the sea. This
principle of appropriation was first ap-
piled to d great bat necessarily transitory
interest in the mines, and no one ques-
sioned use which the courts made haste
10 validate.
Now it is proposed to apply it to the
permanent interests OF agriculture and
horticulture, which are as enduring as
the physical necessities OF man, and the
courts halt and hesitate. as is their right
and duty, if they discover grave, counter
balancing reasons which are worthy OF
examination. But we must remember
that legislation is, in a matter like this,
the first resort of the people. When our
organic law and statutes are brought in
10 right relations with tho conditions OF
our growth and prosperity, the people
will have guided the courts to conclu-
sion in harmony with the overmastering
necessities OF the State Our duty leads
us to securing such constitutional amend
ments and legislation as shalIput irriga-
ton among the permanent policies OF the
State. IApplause.l There is no time
for delay. In the East. forbidding Ma
ure in rigorous seasons and deathly con-
5ulsions of the air is warning people
away, making them seek more clement
climate and greater certainties as results
Of their labor and industry. Tho centi-
nent offers only one sure refuge from the
extremes of cold and heat, the destruc-
ton wrought by storms, and the uncer-
tainty OF fickle seasons, and that refuge
is here. Now is the accepted time for
California, and we arc here to concert
measures that shall open our acres to
successful settlement by the enterprising
millions already lured by our fame, and
our duty is to protect them IN their homes
when established.
The simple possession of the elements
Of greatness is valueless unless utilized
by the genius and enterprise of man.
Natures laws should be mans best
guide for the creation of wise and just
measures. Natures God has placed the
land and water of this State together,
and what, therefore, God has joined to-
gether, let no man put asunder. PRO
longed applause.l