National Republican., 1888-01-03
NEW NATIONAL PARK.
Some of the Pueblo Lands Suggested
for the Location.

for the Location.
The American Association for the Ad-
vsncement OF Science al its last meeting
adopted unanimously resolution recon-
mending to Congress that some steps be
taken for the preservation Of some OF the
archaeological curlosties of the west, and
Prof. Powell and his associates of the geo.
logical survey and the chronological bureau
have been giving the subject considerable
attention, with a view to devising some
practical plan TO secure that end. While
no details have yet been arranged a sugges-
tion has been made which Maj. Powell
thinks more likely than any other to form
the basis OF any action to be taken, aud IL Ia
probable that It will be laid before the
proper committees Of Congress: during the
present session.
1t contemplates for the present nothing
more than the passage. OF an act reserving
designated spots-peihaps not more than
bali dozen-from appropriation aud set
tlement under the land laws, thus in way
stamping them as government property;
ard leaving more elaborate and more eX-
pensive undertakings to the future.
Already, It 10 understood, schemes arc
afoot In the west to acquire possession by
private parties OF some of the recently de.
serted Pueblo towns With view to selling
them to the government come time ns
objects OF scientific Interest worthy OF
preservation.
Some Of the Pueblo tribes are rapidly
dying out, and others are changing from
the qusint queer people they were u few
years ago TO very common place eavages,
change which Is probably attributable to
the Influence OF the whites In curblng the
predatory habits Of the nomadic enemies
Of The Pueblcs.
The Pueblo villsges arc, perhaps, the
oldest contrivanCes for human dwellings
known to archaeology.
The race or races whom they will COM
memorate are like no other savages.
Amiable, thrifty, industrious, stupid, in
capable Of progress, they are nevertheless
the most sedentary OF beings, swarming like
bees together. II the head OF a Moki house
hold needs new house or an extension he
will usually take, in preference to any other
building site, the roof Of his neighbours
house.
OF the ancient or deserted Pueblos those
of Chaco canon, New Mexico, are by far the
most remarkable yet discovered. or the
Inhabitants neither history nor tradition
gives any whisper, but there is some reason
for the belief that the Iunis are their degen.
crate antecedents.
The walls OF some OF these structures are
still standing to the height OF three and
four stories. More strikingly curious. and
far more interesting scientifically, are the
| ruined villages OF The cliff dwellers, and
| gestlon goes little further. The metropo.
lis OF the cliff dwellers appears to have
| been In canons de Chely and del Umerto-
| which are practically one--in northeastern
| New Mexico. These canons united are
fifty miles long, and In the caves and
| weatheripgs along the way are found moro
than, $50 groups, OF dwellings, many of
xtb nc oil val mn la,
| they were finished. Some tiny caves held
not more than two or three families, while
some mammoth openings contained vii.
lages-almost cities-with public structures
which may have served as places OF worship
and castles of defense. Some are easily
accessible to vigorous climbers, while
others are beyond human reach-500
with blank stretches Of verticalTYsSst.lKin st.lK inter
-yslilg. Maj, PQYGl-SIR that in th,
fullntfsrS1 -Ime-or soy with the openins
up Of the Navajo reservation-these canoni
be set apart as national park after the plat
Of the Yellowstone reservation, thou Il
comprising much smaller area. There arc
few spots on earth which possess greater
and more varied attractions OF scenery
They are smaller than many another west
ern canon, and, OF course, are but pigmiet
In comparison with the Grand Canon OF tho
Colorado, vet possess the advantage oi
coming down nearer to the possibilities Of
human comprehension. These canons Civ,
the approaching traveller few signs of thei
proximity, and In many places one may bt
guided to the very brink unawares and ge
his first notion Of the fact as he look
down into cash in the earth's crust l,2),
feet deep. They vary In width, from 800 tt
2,0C0 feet. Water freezes at night in july
and August upon the level above, for thu
region is at the summit OF the Rocky noun
tain range, but upon the bottom, through
which winds a never falling stream o
limpid, sweet water, peaches, melons, ant
vegetables ripen luxuiiantly.
The nearest railroad point is about sew
enty miles distant, aud the Intervening
country, unlike most OF the arid region, Il
both practicable for a good wagon or rail
road, and interesting TO the tourist.
The canons are the summer home o
, about twenty-five Navajo families, whose
united labor as tillers of the soil is about Al
much as would be expected Of one indus
trious white man.
The spot would become half way stop
ping place for transcontinental tourists, ant
few days. or weeks life In a canon unde
the circumstances might be made tempta
tion which few could resist.
| o