Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-07-20
AN IMPORTANT SUBJECT.

The expected visit OF the Z. s. senate
committee on irrigation and arid lands
to the southwestern and Pacific states
and territories is attracting Il great dea
of attention, and much good for the great
and houndless southwest is expected t,
result therefron Everywhere prepare
tons are made to give the committee {
fitting reception, and to supply it with the
fullest data and most reliable information
concerning the subjects OF irrigation anc
water supply throughout this section
New Mexico being vitality interested, ali
necessary steps III that direction should
be taken promptly and carefully, and We
should be fully prepared to receive thu
committee in the handsomest possible
way and to impress the members there
OF in every manner possible with the
great capabilities OF this region iol
supporting large prosperous population
if, by the aid OF the general government
an adequate supply of water could BIT
procured. In this connection We quote
from the Denver Republican the follow.
ing, which in every particular can be ap-
piled to New Mexico:
The far west welcomes the distin-
guished party OF eastern statesmen now
on tour through the Rocky mountains
and the southwest. None of the gentle
~ b1r,1.,
mountains before, and naturally each one
looks with establishment as we'll as inter
est upon the material development OF
this part of the union.
1t 10 amaIter OF regret that comparative
y few of the eastern men who are IN
| public life visit the far west. Then
knowledge of state like Colorado and It
city like Denver is gathered from books,
from newspapers and from the reports Of
travellers. knowledge acquired in this
way is at best vague. There is nothing
| like personal observation to give one Il
| clear view OF q scene or an accurate knOWl-
edge OF the condition of q country. The
queen of Sheba discovered this when sh
saw with her own eyes the glories OF
Soomon's kingdom; and many visitor
to the west has had occasion to excaim
as the queen of Sheba did, that the hall
had not been told.
The far west is great but its greatness
lies chiefly in the possibilities OF develop,
ment. 1t has enormous resources OF
every sort, but they are developed to but
a slight extent. In order that these re-
sources may be developed the western
states and territories need the help OF
favorable legislation from congress. Con-
"ress can help the nation by helping the
far west.
Ihe matter of chief interest Just now is
that OF irrigation. 1t is the earnest desire
Of every inhabitant of the arid region that
congress will make liberal appropriations
for continuing the survey for sites for irri-
CATION reservoirs. The question Of the
construction of the reservoirs is q matter
for consideration in the future. What is
needed now is to ascertain where the most
eligible sites for the reservoirs are in order
that they may, if situate upon public land
be withdrawn from sale. In view of the
future of irrigation in this country, these
reservoir sites are exceptionally valuable
and the government ought not to let them
pass into the hands OF men who Nigh
hold them for purely speculative purposes
For this reason the survey now in prog
ress should be continued until the entire
arid region has been gone over. We be-
live that the gentlemen who are members
of this party OF visiting statesmen will
favor liberal appropriation by congress
Tor this purpose if they look into the sub
ject in the way that we are confident they
will examine it before returning east.
The far west in the Goth century vii
exert powerful influence upon the policy
OF the government. 1t may be that the
national character, century hence, vii
bear more of western than an eastern
stamp. In this view it is the duty OF every
American to endeavor to make the west
as great and strong as it may be made.
|