New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-07

be involved in the scheme, studying the practical
results obtained thus far from irrigation, and en-
deavoring to get at the probable cost OF the
enterprise A survey is now being conducted IN
Montana by competent engineers employed py
the Government, which is intended to furnish
the same sort of information. As to the general
proposition that lands utterly worthless nave oeeh
made of the highest value, l nave seen
and reported convincing proofs and these ianos
are said by trustworthy people to be really 'h-
ferior TO much Of the SOIL 'il"0
cannot now be reached by water for
instance, it is claimed that the first bottoms
that is, the lands directly bordering On 'he
streams, though usually, are not always the inos'
fertile The vast plateaus that stre'cn away
from the rivers are claimed to be OF the highesc
productive quality and far less liable TO iros. IN
the early fall. Experience has shown that the
irrigated district will produce far richer ana
more abundant crops than the soil OF any OF the
States where rainfall is depended on for MOISTURE
Upon one-eieth of this valley-30,00O acres-the
Weld Of grain last year was 100000 Bushels
Runcb grass and cactus are all it would have
grown without water. Fifty-fve bushels to the
acre ia n splendid average. In many instances
I OF bushels were obtained. When country not
he made by the expenditure Of trifiing sum Of
money to Weld 81, 100000 per year in addition
m the support of its inhabitants powerful argu-
ment is afforded in favor Of making tie effort
which will reclaim lands $4,000 times as great
and Just as good.
Supposing that the evidence now being collected
shall be found to enforce this argument; sup
posjnr that what these people claim is true as
to the character of their desert SOIL as to the re-
sults that would be secured from the proposed
canal and storage system, and as to its actual
feasibility and comparative cheapness, there is
only one argument that now occurs to me against
the policy of having the general Government en-
cage in the work. That is the argument Of
which Holman and Blount and their class are the
especial champions 1 don't know what name to
apply to this argument unless Anti-Paternal fits
it. They say, you know, that it is no function Of
Government to go into business with the people
and there is no right in Congress to spend the
money contributed by Indiana and Georgia for
the benefit Of Montana and Colorado. Well, now,
that is way of putting it, but il the real act
of the Government is to go into business with it.
self, and if the effect of its use of the money
contributed by Indiana and Georgia is to reduce
the taxes which Indiana and Georgia would other
wise have to pay, another face is put upon the
matter II man has beef to sell, and the
beef is lean and bony and generally no good and
if he cannot find butcher who will buy it, he
thinks it good policy to let the beef Craze while
and grow fat, doesn't he? The Government has
lands to sell, but the lands are valueless. If it
can get its price for them by doing that which
will make them valuable and thereby make
money and save itself expenses which it would
in the other event have to bear, the question Of
policy certainly seems to be simple one. There
are Treasury watchdogs who watch the Treasury
so vicously that they prevent the inflow far
more than the outflow l.. e. q.