Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1890-12-04

putes retard the prosperity and disturb
the peace of a large and important
community. The Governor of New Mexico
in his last report to the Secretary of the In
terror suggested some modification of the
pending bills relating to the small holdings
of farm lands. commend to your attention
the suggestions of the Secretary Of the Into
riOr upon this subject.
The enactment of National bankrupt law
1 still regard as very desirable. The COnsti-
tuition having given to Congress Jurisdiction
of this subject il should be exercised and uni
form rules provided for the administration
of the affairs of insOlyent debtors. The in
cOnveniences resulting from the occasional
and temporary exercise of this power by
Congress, and from the conflicting State
codes of insolvency which come into force
intermediately, should be removed by the
enactment of a simple, inexpensive and per-
manent National bankrupt law.
l also renew my recommendation in favor
of legislation affOrding just copyright and
protection to foreign authors on footing Of
reciprocal advantage for our authors abroad.
1t may still be impossible for this Congress
to inaugurate by suitable legislation
movement looking to uniformity and in
creased safety in use of couplers and
brakes upon freight trains engaged in Inter
State commerce. The chief difficulty is to
secure agreement as to the best appliances,
simplicity effectiveness and cost being con.
sidered. This difficulty will only yield to
legislation which should be based upon full
inquiry and impartial trial. The purpose
should be to secure the cooperation of all
disposed managers but the fearful fact that
every years delay involves the sacrifice of D.
900 lives and the running of 1000 young men
should plead both with Congress and the
managers against needless delay.
The subject of the conservation and equal
distribution of the water supply of the arid
regions has had attention from Congress but
has not as yet been upon permanent and
satisfactory basis. The urgency OF the sub
ject does not grow out of any large present
demand for the use of the land for agrcult-
ural purposes or of the danger that the water
supply and the sites for the necessary catch
basins may fall into the hands of in
dividu8ls or private corporations ana
I be used to render subservient
the large areas dependant upon such supply.
The owner of the water is the owner of the
: lands however the titles may run. UnapprO-
priated natural water sources and all neces-
sary reservoir sites should be held by the
Government for the use, at fair rates, OF tho
homestead settlers who will eventually take
up these lands. The United states should
! not in my opinion, undertake the construc-
| tion of dams or canals, but should limit work
/ to such surveys and observations as will de-
| termine the water supply, both surface
and subterrancan, the land capable
of irrigation and the use, location and stori
use of the water and of the reservoirs mighs
be granted to the respective States and Ter
ritories, or to individuals or associations
upOn the condition that the necessary works
should be constructed and the water FUR
nished at fair rates without discrimination,
the rates to be subject to supervision by
the Legislatures or by boards OF
water commissioners duly constituted.
The essential thing to be secured Is the COM
mon and equal use at fair rate OF the ac-
cumulated water supply. 1t were almost
better that these lands should remain arid
than those who occupy them should become
the slaves of the unrestrained monopolie5
controlling the essential element OF Iano
values and crop results.
The use of the telegraph by the Post ONCE
Department as a means of transmission OF
written communications Is, believe, upon
proper terms, quite desirable. The Govern
ment does not own or operate the railroads
and it should not, think, own or operate
any telegraph lines. 1t does, however, seem
to be quite practicable for the Government to
contract with the telegraph companies, as
il does with the railroads, to carry at speci-
fed rates such communications as the send
ers may designate for his method Irecoms
mend that such legislation be enacted as
il will enable the Post -office Department.
fairly to test by experiment the advantages
of such use of the telegraph.
IN CONCLUSION.
venture again TO remind you that the
brief time remaining for the consideration %
the important legislation now awaiting your
attention offers no margin for waste.
II the present duty is discharged with dill
Vence, fidelity and courage, the work Of the
Fifty first Congress may be cOnfdentially
submitted to the considerate judgment Of the
people BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, District OF Columbia
December !, 1880.