Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1888-02-25
IRRIGATION AS A NATIONAL
PROBLEM.

The more we think about irrigation in
this country, the more we become con-
WINGED that it Is o question requiring Ma
tional rather than local solution. 1t is
too big a subject for local treatment, ex.
cept in the merest experimental way.
We have said substantially this same
thing before in these columns, and we
have from time to time pointed out that
our delegation in Congress should do all
in their power to secure aid for our State
from the Federal Government in the
shape OF land, as there seemed no other way
apparent by which aid could be had. But
we did not intend to confine this article
to irrigation in Nevada. What is true Of
the arid soil of Nevada is equally true of
one.third Of the soil Of the whole United
States. Did any one ever stop to think
for q moment Of the vast area in this
country which is practically worthless
for agricultural purposes without irriga-
ton ? As we have already said, it com.
prises one-third of the territory Of the
American Union. Commencing at a point
in Kansas not more than two hundred
miles west Of the Missouri river, it
stretches through to the Pacific Coast a
distance of nearly two thousand miles.
From north to south, it extends from
British Columbia to Mexico with the
exception Of certain portions Of Oregon
and Washington Territory. To reduce
it moro nearly to approximate proper
tions it is a region of country say fifteen
hundred miles one way by one thousand
miles the other. At the present time
less than FIVE million Of our sixty million
of population find homes within the lin
its we have described. In twenty years
from to-day it must furnish homes for
twenty millions Of people. 1t is the only
outlet for the overcrowded East. 1t en-
braces at the same time about all that is
left Of the public domain. 1t is q high
province OF the Government to make pos
sible comfortable and happy homes for
the people, which in turn bring content.
ment to it's citizens aud stability to its
institutions. Individual enterprise can
never reclaim the desert wastes Of which
we are writing. The scheme is too gigan.
tic. Federal money and engineering skill
must be brought to the solution of this
great problem. The Government will
have to adopt an irrigation policy in con-
nection with the public lands. A new
departure on this score is imperatively
demanded. Pacific Coast members OF
Congress should at once begin the work
OF demanding a change in the land policy
of the Government. At best it will re.
quire years of ceaseless agitation to
awaken in the obtuse Eastern mind q
realization Of the needs of the situation.
The Government must be made to under.
stand that there can be no sale OF these
arid lands to actual settlers until the
same shall have been reclaimed. Loss
need not necessarily be entailed. No one
will object if the public lands are placed
at a higher rate per acre to the settler
only make it possible for him to take
homestead and live on ii after he hal
taken il. We notice that the Public
Lands COMMITTEES Of Congress Is now con
sidering changes in the land laws. NJ
change will be complete which does no
carry an irrigation feature. But wheshe