The semi-weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1890-1891, 1890-12-03

IMPORTS at the port of New York for N,
frst three weeks of November were near
~ . Per cent greater than for the same
period in 1889 and 30 per cent greata,
IMAM In the same period of 1888, And 81
lar from being an. act to limit exports, /
confidently believe under it we shall 90.
III ifrger and more profitable partic;.
patlon III foreign trade than we have ave-,
enjoyed and that we shall recover n nro.
Fortlonate participation In the ocean car.
rying trade of the world. u
There Is no disposition ammo on, of
our people to promote proh,bitorv m 70.
taliatory Legislation. Our policies ,are
adopted, not to hurt others. but to secnre
III ourselves those advantages that fairly
~" out OF our favored position as a ma
III, ~ our form OF government, with its
;ncluent OF universal suffrage, makes il
IMPERATIVE that we shall save our work
'Ag people from agitations and distresses
winch scant work and wages that have no
Margin for comfort always beget. But
altef al This is done II will he found that
our markets are open to friendly com
iierclal exchanges of enormous value to
otner great powers.
me reciprocity clause of the tariff act
wisely and effectively opens the way to
secure large reciprocal trade in exchange
lor the free admission into our ports Of
certain products.
OTHER SUBJECTS,
He argues in favor of steamship mail
lines a general bankruptcy law, interna-
tlonal copyright, postal telegraphy. and a
more effective federal election. treating
OF this subject ut length.
IRRIGATION.
The subject of conservation and eoual
distribution of the water s upply of arid
regions has been paid much attention by
congress, but has not as yet been put up
On q permanent and satisfactory basis.
The urgency Of the subject does not grow
OUT OF any large present demand for the
use OF these lands for agriculture, but out
OF dangers the water supply and sites for
the necessary catch basins NAV fall into
the hands of individuals or private cor
porations and be used to render subser-
Went large areas dependent upon such
The owner of tie water is the
owner OF the lands, however titles may
AH uuuppAOpIlhtEu udbuThl
water sources and all necessary
reservoir sites should be held by
the government for equal use at fair rates
homestead settlers, who will eventual
~ take up these lands. The United States
mould not, In my opinion, undertake the
construction of dams or canals, but
should limit its work to such surveys and
as will determine water sup
ply. both surface and subterranean,
areas capable of irrigation, and use, loca--
and storage capacity of reservoirs.
This done, the nse OF water and reservoir
might be granted to the respective
states or territories, or to individuals or
associations upon. condition that neces-
sary works should be constructed and
furnished at fair rates with
out discrimination, rates to
be subject to supervision by legislatures
Or by boards of water commissioners duly
constituted. An essential thing to be Sc
cured Is the common and equal use at
fair rates of the accumulated water sup
ply. 1t were almost better that these
lands should remain arid than that those
who occupy them should become slaves
of unrestricted menopolies.
.. IN CONCLUSION
| venture again to remind you that the
time remaining for the considera-
tion of important legislation now await
ing your attention, offers no margin for
II the present duty is discharged
with diligence and fidelity the courageous
of the fifty-first congress may he
confidently submitted to the considerate
judgment of the people.
(Signed.) BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Dec. l, 1890.