Arizona silver belt., 1889-09-14
(Communicated.) yME VISIT or THE SENATE COMMITTEE.
GLOBE, Ariz., Sept. 12.

GLOBE, Ariz., Sept. l2.
 EDIroRs SILVER BELT:-H Having been deputized by the Board of Supervisors to meet the Senatorial Committee on lrrigatien, and to present Gila coun- ] tvs report, desire through your col umns to inform citlzens of the result of my mission, The committee did not visit Florence, as had been ex- pected, but stopped at Yuma on the 4th inst, remained over night at Pbe- nix, and arrived at Tucson the follow ing day at noon, remaining until 8 Q clock p. m. 1 was informed that it had been the intention of the Senate rial Committee to pass through Ari' zona without stopping, receiving the reports at the several stations as they passed; but vigorous protest against Arizona being thus snabbed was ef- fectual in securing the detention, although brief of the committee at the places mentioned.
 At Tucson the party was received by the citizens committee, and soon after their arrival testimony was taken from the representatives of Pima, Cochise, Graham and Gila coun- ties, Pima being accorded the longest hearing. One of the chief topics dis cusssd was the effect of the late Con- gressional act withdrawing irrigable lands from entry. Able addresses were made by Hon. Brewster Came ron and Judge Barnes showing how this meddling with the land laws would paraly2e the prosperity and further progress of Arizona, as we'll as other portions of the arid West; that the withdrawal of lands from entry would defeat the construction by pri- vate enterprise of adequate irrigation works, which becomes very serious matter in view of the belief positively expressed by Senator Stewart and his coadutors, that it IS not intended that the Government shall engage in the work of erecting hydraulic works and retaining desert land
 The Governments work ceases when ! the surveys and estimates have been completed; and during the pendency of those surveys, which will consume five years and ln all probability a much longer time, is private enter prise to be debarred from work so benefieent as tue subiugation of the desert?
 In this connection Senator Stewart intmatsd that great pressure had been brought to bear by the East and South for the repeal of the Desert Act, and he did not feel warranted in predict ing what the result of the contest would be. This strong opposition 10 the Desert Act has been brought about by unscrupulcus evasion of the obligations which that law imposes upon the settler, and it is alleged that the law has become a convenient ye. hicle for the illegal acquisition of land The committee invited suggestions as to how that evil might be remedled by remodeling or amending the Desert Act, and 1 understand that memo rial will be prepared and circulated in the Territory for signatures, to be submitted finally to Congress in a monster petition from our people. l thlnk 1t is well understood that an ef. fort will be made at the approaching session of Congress to modify tbe Irri. gation law by eliminating the clause withdrawing arable lands from entry but the attempt may fail by reason oi the determined opposition above men. toned The chief benefit to follow the investigation of a project for the reclamation of the arid lands IS the education of the people to the feasi bility of irrigation, and the assistance afforded by the Government survey; and reliable data furnished. This ac complished, and adequate laws passed for the protection of the people from monopoly, private enterprise will ster in and execute the real work of subju' gation within reasonable time.
 , With regard to Gila county's pro, ] test against damming Salt River neal the mouth of Tonto, find that public opinion recognizes the rcasenablenesi : of Gila county's protest; arguing tbat the destruction of a geographical sec ton of county for the benefit O another community or county is in . compatible with justice and law.
 The project for wagon road be tween Tucson and Globe is much dis : cussed in the former place, and th' 1 opinion prevails that 1t will be built although it is realized that the cos
 will be considerable. There seems t, be only one opinion. as to the benefit to be derived from closer comtnunica : ton between the two places, and tha s If the wagon road is built, railroad