Omaha daily bee., 1889-07-25

private individuals In making tho outlay,
even though they had the money. Tho re-
turns from the work cannot bo made in this
generation In many instances: But this
ment. Yes, the constitution will admit the
expenditure. There can be no doubt OF
that A landlord cannot be prevented from
improving his own property. The federal
government has only 10 confiue its outlays to
its own lands. The advantages TO the lands
owned by private individuals will come Incl
dentally, just as protection to our industries
Is incidental to our present system of import
duties.n
At Cheyenne congressional Delegate Carey
and Governor Warren both used the same
words, when they said
"Only the constitution cnn intervene
to cause hesitation on tho part Of congress. L
should think, however, that the levee system
along the Mississippi river has demonstrated
that money from the general government
may bo used TO protect or improve private
property SO long as there Is q primary aim
toward federal interests. If the govern
mcnt can use its money to
keep water off private property along
the Mississippi am sure IL can use 1t to
turn water on private property in the terri.
tories, or even IN the state provided, OF
course, the work is confined to the public do
main. No ono asks for reservoirs on private
land"
find that there is unanimous decision
in favor of the construction OF reservoirs on
the plains, at elevated points, where fall for
the distribution of the water, which is col
lected during the snow or rainy season, may
be secured. Since tho Johustown disaster
no one will listen to the original proposition
of damming up the mountain passes, IA the
pressure would be SO great as to make
danger from bursting of the dams or
walls constant menace Then the
sediment which is carried down the
canons would I'LL the reservoirs made
| in the very community whore the
water is collected. The idea is to
carry the water down from the mountains to
| tance, or reservoir the water from rains and
streams and springs during the flood sea-
sons, to be distributed to the arid sections by
means of bitches. The government has only
to store the water on It's own lands; the
people will take It and use it judcously, and
in such way as TO make the deserts plos-
som like gardens and secure u return for all
| the outlay to the general government, in
time.
Mr.. Dorsey who is practical aud success
full business man as we'll as statesman, be-
lieves the federal government could well
afford to supply a complete system of reser-
voirs and artesian wells for Irrigation, as it
would be but an investment which would de-
clare a splendid dividend In the way of taxes
Wherever the water can not be secured from
melting snow or rain on the mountains,
streams or springs, artesian wells can be had
easily.
This problem is one of the greatest pos
sble interest to the entire country for at
least two reasons: 1t contcmplates the
successful operation of more unused agri-
cultural lands than there are now in any
four states, thus revolutionizing agricultural
interests everywhere; and it contemplates
such large outlay of money-anywhere
from S50,000,000 to 500 900. .000-that
| financially the Improvement viii be notice
able in every commercial avenue. The
struggle for it is made imminent and earnest
by the terrible and destructive drought of
this season. Every member of the Dorsey
party has been fully convinced of the wis.,
dom of the proiect; and what is true of the
observations of these statesmen is true no
doubt OF the scores of others now in he
arid regions. PERRY S. HEATH.