Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-02-15
Tempe Town Talk.

The prominent subject of conversa- tiOn, and the one of vital interest to the people of this valley as well as of all arid regions, is the water question: How to have it distributed in the most economical manner and in the most equitable way, is the great prob lem, very many, if not large majority of the settlers in this country are from loc alities where irrigation was not a necessity, hence with them irrigation is an experiment, and it takes years to reduce the system to science. They struggle on with cumbersome and in adequate canal organizations paying out yearly large portion of the re- suits of their labor in useless assess ments to meet the expenses of lawsuit commenced with the vain hope of in some way having the vexed question settled, instead of at once organizing under and pursuant to the law of the territory and thus at once cutting the gordian knot. Bad and dishonest ad- visers whose ideas and interests run to corporations and organized capital, are the ones most sought for by the great mass of settlers who cannot con- cieve of arriving at great results by simple means.
 One man who represented six shares of water stock in one of our canals told the writer that since Nov. 1st 1888, he had paid upward of $1 009 and besides another assessment of $50 had been levied. Is 1t a wonder then that when such conditions exist, when men prominent in the affairs of the county publish to the world that Arizona has no law regulating the distribution of water, that cautious men refuse to with us? We are all agog here over preparations to commence taking evidence in a water suit to try and determine the rights of the different canals to draw water from the Salt River. The court if it confines itself to the law of Arizona instead of seek ing light in decisions rendered in States where the law is different may easily render just and equitable de cision. We shall watch for the final judgment in this suit with interest and anxity
 The normal school, under the admir- 1 able management os Prof Long, is preparing to turn out a large number of excellent teachers and too much credit cannot be given Prof. Long for his painstaking industry in trying to make all those who secure diplomas at his hands in every way a credit to the school and to the territory. Prof. Long has organized his school into a lite rary society and every two weeks on Friday afternoon they give an enter | tainment where essays are read, de- bates participated in, and other exer- cises of an instructive and entertaining character are indulged in. The pupils have also a paper called the "Normal Echo" which is prominent and inter- esting feature of their program. More interest should be taken by the public in these exercises and in the school generally.
 Quite number of strangers have appeared on our streets recently among whom were several from Flag staff who are interested in a north and south railroad running from this val ley to Flagstaff instead of Prescott which brings to mind the same issue fought so bitterly few months ago Query-When will Messrs. Evans and Collins commence work on their rail way?
 Rev. Downs of the M. E. Church o this place is becoming deservedly pop ular by reason of his having prac tical religion which permits him tC work for the people while they live 1T this world and not wholly for future state. Good works instead of blin( faith seems to be his maxim, but ther he is intelligent and all intelligen people are going that way All relig ions which teach ''This world is but tleeting show for mans delusion giy en," must sooner or later be swep
 away by the mighty army of progress
 who have discovered that to remail anchored to the dead dogmas of tn past, not only units them for this worl
 but foT another if there should happel
 to be one ir1 other words they knoy
 they have state of existence, ~Mhil the other Is matter of Eehef only, O . of speculation.
 Our public school fourishes in spit Of the opposition of few disgruntle, individuals who were by the bette , sense and better class of the commun ity debared from the privileges so dea . to their souls of running both school , and teachers in accordance with thei , narrow ideas. Let all of the powers c
 nature be praised that the minds of hu , manity are broadening, "The world d } move"
 Peace and quiet reign in bushes
 circles. HoBE. , Buy your groceries at Wiidman's