, 1889-04-19
ROSWELL P. FLOWER.
The New York Congressman-El Elect
Passes Through Cheyenne.
He E~ntertsins a Committee and
Talks on His Fayorite Topic.
Alive to the Demand for Storage
Reservoirs for Irrigation.

Flower of New York. He is a million
aire congressman-elect, was an aspirsnt
for the presidential nomination when Mr..
Cleveland was chosen, once declined the
lieutenant governors place on a ticket
with David B. Hill. He is now studying
the proposition of storing water for the
arabic regions of the West. The plan is
to keep the surplus water in storage res
ervoirs until it is needed.
Mr.. Flower and family and a couple Of
friends were here for an hour yesterday.
They are en- route to California in a pri-
vate car.
The famed New Yorker was waited
upon by delegation including Delegate
Carey, Governor Warren, Hon. j. A.
Johnston. Hon. A. Gilchrist, Il. A. Slack,
ii. s. Bush and a couple of reporters.
Mr.. Flower Is in appearance short and
pussy, full faced, with closely trimmed
sideburns. The space behind and above
his broad forehead is sparsely settled with
gray-tinged hair; black suit, black SLOUGH
hat, watch and chain, but no jewelry;
large eyes, which twinkle mischieviouslv.
His f%avorite gesture is a poke into the air
with the index finger of his left hand.
The right handles a fine cigar, which he
smokes with the awkwardness of a begin
ner. but seems to enjoy.
The distinguished traveller is an inter
esting talker and never wearies of riding
his hobby. but being Jolly he stables it at
intervals and tells a funny story very
cleverly, showing that wealthy men and
great politicians, like kings, sometimes
unbend.
Mr.. Flower is not at all backward about
making inquiries, as it's information he's
after. He wanted to know the elevation
Of the headwaters of the Missouri, but no
one present knew. When he asked about
irrigation in Wyoming Messrs. Gilchrist
and Johnston readily gave him all the
data required, explaining in detail the
reclamation OF the lands of the Wyoming
Development company.
The position of Mr.. Flower on the ir-
rigation and water storage question. as
cleaned from his conversation yesterday,
differs widely from his standing as de-
picted in numerous newspaper reports
and press kilograms. He does not be.
lieve that the government shocld furnish
the funds and perform the work without
assistance. Though conceding that the
investment would bring large returns
and that undertakings OF the nature con
templated should be conducted under the
patronage of the United States, he rather
favors action by states and individuals.
holds that it would be more economical
aud that the work would be performed
much better.
Let the government say to the state, y
said he, ' you reclaim SO many acres of
land, and you shall be given so many
acres more or so much money Then
the state would deal with the individual"
The gentleman is fully alive to the fact
that the west merits special attention in
the water line. At seasons when water
is not needed for irrigation the streams
are swollen and it runs to waste. Then
follows a drought and crops perish that
could have been saved and increased by
iu~dicious use of water. The solution of
the problem was to have the fluid in hand.
This could be accomplished by build
ing dams and establishing reservoirs.
Congress had appropriated $250,0O 0
which Maj. Powell was using in
gathering data on the subject aud discov-
ering favorable locations. When the
matter became well advanced the Western
representatives could draft and present a
reservoir appropriation bill with which to
confront the men who ask for millions for
the river and harbor fund every year.
Were the great streams handled properly
>4car their sources there would be no more
devastation or inundation in the South,
and less money would be required for riv-
ers and harbors.
Mr.. Flower realized that Wyoming was
a grand field for the establishment of the
reservoir system. Upon the develop
ment of this country" said he, "dep, nds
the future of thousands of people. The
soil lacks only water to become productive,
and the entire section needs only trees to
become almost perfect. These zig val
legs, large plateaus and broad plains
should and will be settled by farmers.
The agricultural progress Of the United
States is something remarkable, and per-
haps the chiefest feature of its acknowl
edged greatness
Mr.. Flower spoke of a visit to Chey-
emit fifteen years ago, and remarked up.
on the wonderful advancement OF the
trans Missouri region.
Superior to Palmer.