, 1889-08-17
JSo. p. CARROLL. Editor.
STATE OWNERSHIP OF LAND.

The Wyoming idea that all the un-
claimed lands in the so called arid regions
be turned over to the several territories
upon their admission into the Union
grows in strength wherever it is presented.
1t is taken for granted that the object Of
the general government is to build up
powerful commonwealth. There is no
way in which this can be done more sue
cessfully or more surely han by turning
the lands over to the new states as they
are admitted, thus providing them at once
with a substantial source of revenue.
There is n other important argument
in favor Of this course and that is that the
water supply will be everywhere insult
cient for irrigation purposes. As the Off
cial circular of the irrigation committee
has pointed out there is therefore the ut
most necessity Tor h%usbanding the supply
so that it may be used to the greatest pos
sible advantage. This desidcratum cannot
be reached through private ownership or
general government control of the water
supply. The local state governments can
best manage it and therefore reach the
best results for all concerned. That this
view is becoming exceedingly popular is
well evidenced by the following extract
from the Phoenix. Arizona. Gdsottc, in
commenting on the circular of the irriga-
ton committee which it publishes in full:
From the Wyoming correspondence, be-
a. "a Ill l.. - ~. IL
people of that wide awake territory are
alive to the importance of the questions
involved in thus matter Of irrigation and
are preparing to avail themselves OF all its
benefits. As a first step in hat direction
they will seek early admission into the
union. after which they will endeavor 10
have congress celc the control of the arid
lands to the states in which they lie.
Both propositions are eminently practica-
BILE and furnish a good precedent Tor Ari-
IONA TO follow: for it goes without saving
that If we are to have any great and last
lug benefits from this geological survey,
we should place ourselves in position to
demand them. Any casual reader can
see at a glance how utterly nonsensical it
is for the federal congress; unadvised and
uniformed as to their wants, to attempt
to l~egislate for the last growing communi-
ties of the west, the intelligent, active, en-
ergetic citizens of the territories. To use
a vulgarism, nine tunes out of ten it puts
its foot in it.
If thtg ,nlIny nrovat1g - pnnl, -,
prophet to see that Arizona will be set
back in the tide of development many
generations, unless the settler and land
owner are abandoned to the tender mercies
OF the ditch owner The government
does not propos to construct these works.
1t leaves that to individual corporate en-
terprisc. CORPORATE enterprise will not
engage in it unless large inducements are
offered for the profitable employment of
capital and the schemes are too large for
community enterprise. The interest OF
the nation in this matter is identified with
that of the state. The thing of paramount
importance is to have our desert lands re-
claimed and settled. made to bear their pro-
portions OF the burdens of government,
both national and state. While it is con-
ceded that it would DO well to have o
family on every forty acres. yet for the
time being, nc one can object if a man
acquires a full section, so long as he cult.
Yates it and makes it productive. Let us
seek early admission into the union, and
then with concerted effort the general
government will cede these lands to the
states, leaving their habiliment to the
communities wherein they lie, Just as was
lone with the swamp and overlooked
lands and with a portion of the arid
lands of Colorado. Then and not till
then will Arizona reap the full benefit 10
be derived IRON the national survey OF
her ARID lands.
SUTTIVAN has hnen convirtod The