The Arizona sentinel. [volume] (Arizona City [Yuma], Yuma County, A.T. [Ariz.]) 1872-1911, 1890-05-24
Observers letter On Arid
Lands.


CATION. 1t seems that the appeals
that have been made to Congress, to
look into the scheme of irrigation for
arid lands in the territories has
aroused a spirit of opposition from
some of the states, that BODIES no good
to the daring and enterprising men
who have braved frontier life, i'll order
to develop the wealth CO the nation;
and reclaim the so-called wastes of
the desert. Especially is this true
of New Mexico and Arizona; the lat
ter territory in particular. Arizo mans
acquitted themselves honorably, and
most molly in the array of maps, facts,
and data before the commission
appointed by congress to take note
of reclamation by irrigation, and the
showing was such, that the congress
sional committee saw in Southern
Arizona, a garden of Eden where the
water could be controlled, and also saw
something besides this, that there was
plenty of water, and that 1t could
be controlled, but the only one thing
lacking was an amount of capital to
build storage dams for the water
More than this; the committee also
saw plainly that the whole thing was
perfectly feasible. 1t is most certain
that five or more things or conditions
are truly patent; First the soil is all
that mortal man can ask for in all Its
properties, for all products and needs
no fertilizers comparatively; Second:
The climate is more favorable to gen
eral health and general comfort than
any other portion OF the United States
even the La Grippe acknowledged
itself beaten and left in disgust.
Third: The yield from the soil is
greater on the average, and produces
a greater range of all products, and Is
the equivalent of any. Fourth: More
crops can be produced in year than
any other portion of the country, and
Fifth several weeks earlier than even
California. All it wants is 10 spread
out over to surface of this arid
Land the water that courses through
the valleys, that is gathered from the
melting SHOWS of the high ranges of
mountains in the North part of New
Mexico and Arizona. The sturdy PEG
pie of Arizona did not come before this
congress as mendicants; the yeomanry
of Arizona are meu and ask only what
is fair, just, and honorable. The cry
is Raised III some Of the states that
there is too much over production al
ready. Too much land titled now,
corn is drug, and used for fuel
wheat is held in store for want of
market etc; then why should congress
vote money to develop barren regions
when there are farms to be had in the
last almost for the asking2 and land
III plenty bordering on the great Mis-
sissippI valley Such are the questions
being put to Congress, in the hope OF
preventing any appropriation to see
what II anything could be done with
ARID lands. W. do not ask congress
to do fot US what we can do for our
selves. Bat, we do ask Congress to
gave US system 10y which our people
eau develop the untold wealth of arid
lands That be contiguous to our rivers
We do not forget the aid given to
railway enterprises by Congress. We
do not forget the amount of money
and aid to erect ltvees, on large rivers
i'll order to facilitate commerce and
1t Is all right; and portion of our
couutry's people got the benefit of it,
II is all right. But if we ask the
government to make a system by
which its citizens here la Arizona,
Can have al equal chance for the
water and not be crushed by a few
wealthy monopolists who get in and
appropriate oil The water in order to
control al! the land that could he
benefited 10y the water then che East
ralecs hue and cry against the at
tempt to develop the lands in cues
ton. Tne government owns the wa
ter ara it owns The land The GOV
erument is ready aud willing to give
each a farm on these lands. Let the
government offer plan whereby the
water can be utilized aud how it shall
he utilized. Then loan out to the
farmers the water at such rates, that
will not only pay to make the farms
d success, but plan by which these
farmers can buy perpetual right if
they should want to. In this way the
loan would come back with interest |