, 1889-03-07
THE IRRIGATION SCHEME.
Senator Stewart Makes an Interesting

ExpIauatiOns
Senator Stewart has made the following
statement for publications: Numerous
letters from California and all parts of the
ceived by myself, Governor Stanford and
others. inquiring what is the exact status
of the legislation already had and what is
proposed to be done with regard to irriga-
tion. IL you will publish the following
for the information of the people you will
crafty them and relieve US OF much labor
In replying TO their letters. At the last
session of congress the following law was
passed:
For the purpose of investi eating the ex.
tent to which tie arid region of the United
States can be redeemed by irrigation. and
the segregation OF the irrigabie lands in
such arid region, and for the selection Of
sites for reservoirs and other hydraulic
works necessary for the storage aud utili-
zation of water for irrigation and the pre-
vention of floods and overAows, and to
make the necessary maps, including the
pay of employees In field and In office. the
cost OF all instruments, apparatus and ma
terials, and all other necessary expenses
connected Herewith, the work TO be per-
formed BY the geological survey, under
the direction of the secretary OF the in
terror, the sum of 800 900. or 80 much
thereof as may be necessary, is appropri.
ated, and the directors of the geological
survey, under the supervision Of the secre.
tary of the interior, shall make report to
congress on the 6rst Monday In December
said money has been expended, the amount
used for actual survey and engineer work
in the field in locating sites for reservoirs
and an itemized account of the expendi-
lures under this appropriation.
And all the lands which may hereafter
be designed or selected by such United
States surveys for sites for reservoirs,
bitches or canals for irrigation purposes,
and all the lands made susceptible OF irri-
CATION by such reservoirs. bitches or can
ais, are from this time henceforth hereby
reserved from sale as the property of the
United States, and shall not be- subject
after the passage of this act to entry set.
tlement or occupation until further pro.
vided by law. provided that t;ie president
may at any time in his discretion, by
proclamation. open any portion or all of
the lands reserved by this provision to set.
tlement under the homestead laws.
As the bill passed the senate the reser-
vation only extended to reservoir sites
and rights of way for bitches and canals,
but the bill was amended in the mousse Sc
as to extend the reservation to all lands to
be irrigated by the proposed hydraulic
works. IL will be observed that no title
can now be acquired to either reservoir
sites, rights of way for bitches or canals,
or the lands susceptible of irrigation
thereby unless the president shall open
such lands TO homestead settlement. 1t
was not intended by the senate to reserve
anything but the reservoir sites and the
rights Of way for ditchos and canals, and
this reservation ought to have been made
years ago. The reservation of other lands
by the amendment in the house is wrong,
and prevents the acquisition of title until
it can be amended. For the purpose of
proper legislation for system of irriQa.
tion and disposition of irrigated lands
select committee, consisting of Senators
Stewart, Allison, Plumb. Hiscock, Cor
man, Reagan and Jones Of Alabama, has
been appointed to visit the arid regions
and report in December next the neces-
sary legislation. An appropriation of
$3.50, 900 has been made at this session of
congress to continue the explorations and
surveys provided for in the law above
quoted.