New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-04
ARID LANDS OF THE WEST.
THE VAST TRACTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT
MAY TAKE CHARGE OF.


MAY TAKE CHARGE OF.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GOVERNOR sHoUP
AND SECRETARY NoBLEs-THE REMEDY FOR
ILLEGAL SCHEMES AT HAND.
Washington, Aug. 3.-The following kilograms
to-day passed between Governor Shoup Of idaho
Territory and Secretary Noble of the Interior
Department:
Boise City, idaho July 30, 1882
To the Secretary OF the Inpsrior Washington d. o.
The Constitutional Convention adopted the following
to-day. Enrolled copy by mail
Whereas The Government OF the United States has
taken steps toward redeeming arid lands Of the Ws,
and whereas for tho purpose Of establishing thorough
system storage reservoirs and rriessng dtohss
engineering parties making surveys for this purpose
and wbereas learned that the plans Of the Governm'
threatened be warted by speculaeors having ns
follow up their surveys mike nhnes on lands reer
canal locations and whereas n learned 'a'
corporation seeking seize and control Bear Lake W
gcsher with fargo bodies Of lands adjoining IT. shofe hn
With the intention OF making lake great storage BASIN
and whereas the corpOrsson Is seeking 10 eo"o.
the OF Bear Lake together with all Che waers
Bear River with It's tributaries thereof and gucheS ior
distance Of about 100 miles In Idaho WIN we" VI
monOpozlng all these waters their uses one pur
pose which Is that they may dispose Of very large
portion thereof within the Territory OF Utah, CREAMY 70
therefore be H.
Resolved That it was not contemplated by the Gov
eminent or Territory Of Idabo that such monopo-
LIKING OF the lands and waters OF Idaho should be per-
mitted
Resolved That steps should be taken at once to pre-
vent such seizure OF reservoirs and canal locations and
the be preserved for the people;
Rsolved That Lake should be retained for pub
lie storage reservoir and the lands Immediately adjoining
the should Withdrawn from market to aid in carry
ing such purpose.
Resolved BY the Idaho Constitutional Convention. now
assembled the Capitol Of said Territory having the gond
Of the general public and welfare OF the people Of Idaho
the prosperity Of the Territory at heart do hereby
memorabilia Department of the Interior to take such
action VIII remedy the evils which threaten this
fair Territory in the outlined in this memorial
Resolved That the memorial be spread the journal
and certified enrolled tpy thereof be
forwarded by the the Secretary of tho Interior
G. l.. SIIOUP. Governor.
Department Of the Interior, Washington, D. c.. Aug D.
1889
Hon c. L. shoup Governor. City. Idaho
have Just received the resolution adopted by the
Constitutional Convention transmitted by you TO me
through telegram full reply to this question think
Is found in the following provision Of the Appropriation
Act October 2, 1888 which reads
For the purpose investigating the extent 70 when
the arid region United States can be redeemed oy
irrigation the segregation OF the ifigabe LANDS III suS
arid region and for the selection OF sites tor reservoirs
and other hydauc works necessary for the storage and
utilization OF water for irrigation and the prevention OF
floods and overnows and % make the necessary maps IN
dr the nav Of employees field and IN ONCE the cost Of
oil apparatus and materials and all other neces-
sarv expenses connected Herewith the work to be per-
formed by the Geological Survey under the direction Of the
Secretary the Interior the sum OF SlOoOoo OF 20 NUN
thereof as may be necessary And be director oil the
Geological Survey under the supervision Of the Secretary
NJ the Interior shall make report to Congress on the hrst
Monday in December each year showing In detail how the
aid money been expended the amount usea of acta
survey and engineer work in the field In locahhg "S io
reservoirs and an temzed account OF the expenditures
under this annroprauon. And all the lands which
NAV hereafter b. designated selected by such United
States surveys for sites for reservoirs aehss or
for irrigation purposes and all the lanus mSoe
Of Irrigation by such reservoirs bitches or canals ar nom
this time henceorth hereby reserved from sale az the Drop
arty Of the United StGs and shall not be subject ae
the passage this entry settlement or occupation
until further provided by law.
PROVIDED That President at any time in his dis
creaon may by proclamation open any portion or all OF
reserved by this provision 70 settlement unoer
the homestead laws"
This Is the law to-day unreversed unrepeaed, ana
IN full force perceive It's vast extent and the I'M
mense consequences that will follow therefrom In the
direction that your resolution points unless there be fur
ther action regard thereto by Congress lt follows
necessarily the spectators, corporations or other
persons referred the resolution under the effect
Of this law unable obtain the advantage that you
say they are seeking Unless the law repealed the
President the lands 10 settlement under the homestead
laws the Government must have and will eventually
absolute con. every arid land that may
deemed by system OF reservoir canals and bitches
provided appropriation act mentioned The subse-
quent appropriation act has affected the above provision
This think, s full solution Of the whole trouble
between the Territories Idaho Utah and parties
entering upon lands in either Territory win
bCcted the superior title and further control OF
United States. l have directed the Commissioner Of
Land o1lce to notify the local officers Of this law
and prohibit entries the kind you specify and have
ordered Superintendent Of the Geological Survey
to proceed rapidly with the surveys River The
statute you observe these lands the date
thereof and the Assistant Attorney -General Of this
Department with that It Is and
rights that Territories and
Territories and States but these all and Will
better regulated by National control than local
hcts and contradictory legislation i fear that the
statute to which | have referred is not known In the
Western Territories to the extent least that 1t ought
be, and / will have your dispatch and this published
to-day full JOHN w. NOBLE, Secretary
Following in the line of Secretary Mobiles tele-
gram 10 Governor Shoup, Acting Commissioner of
the General Land Office Stone to-day sent circular
letter TO all registers and receivers in the arid
regions of Idaho directing their attention to the
facts and law cited in Secretary Mobiles telegram.
These registers and receivers directed to keep
a close watch on all applications made for filings
along watcr-cOurSes and around lakes and where
the least suspicion attaches to the honesty and
good faith Of the applicant for such lands, 10
reject the applica ton, and under circumstances
TO permit filings to be made of water lands by any
one in the interests of syndlcates or corporations
FOURTH CLASS POSTMAsTERS APPOINTED.
Wa>hinRton Aup a th-c were