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

} GLOBE, Ariz., Sept 12. EDrToRs SILVER BELT:-Having been deputized by the Board of Supervisors to meet the Senatorial Committee on Irrigation, and to present Gila coun. tvs report, desire through your col. umns to inform citizens 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 Phm- nix, and arrived at Tucson the follow ing day at noon, remaining until o'clock p. m. 1 was informed that fl 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 snubbed was eff 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 testlmont was taken from the representatives of Pima, Cocbise, Graham and Gila eouu- ties, Pima being accorded the longest 1 hearing. One of the chief toplcs dis: cussed was the effect of the late Con- gressioual 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 paralyze the prosperity and further progress of Arizona, as well 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 Ill all probability a much longer time, is private enter prise to be debarred from a work so benefcent as the subjugation of the desert?
 In this connection Senator Stewart intlmated 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 to the Desert Act has been brought about by interruptions evasion of the obligations which that law imposes upon the settler, and it is alleged that the law has become convenient ve- 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 a 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. 1 thlnk It IS well understood that an eff fort will be made at the approaching session of Congress to modify the Irri- gation law by eliminating the clause withdrawing arable lands from entry, but the attempt may fail by reason of 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 surveys and reliable data furnished. This ac- complished, and adequate laws passed for the protection of the people from monopoly, prlvate enterprise will step in and execute the real work of subju- gation within a reasonable time.
 With regard to GiIa county's pro- test agalnst damming Salt River near the mouth of Tonto, 1 find that public opinion recognizes the reasenableness of Gila county protest; arguing that the destruction of a geographical sec tion of a county for the benefit of. 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 the opinion prevails that it will be built, although 1t is realized that the cost will be considerable. There seems to be only one opinion as to the benefits to be derived from closer communica- ton batWeen the two nlacaS and +bo+