The sun., 1891-05-27

| hunlcip6i Aed8uos UOkctuoE Wish ooNoAo
copiss OF tho ESenin0 Post and complete
edition Of tho works Of Prof JosEPH Null
Cede tho Arid Lands TO the States.
Tho irrigation of the arid lands was ono Of
tho subjects discussed by the Trans Missis-
sippi Congress-, which mot at Denver last
week. and the Congress fually passed reso-
luton In favor OF tho cession OF those
lands to the several States on condition that
tho latter reclaim them. This Is the deci-
sion which Is now favored. we believe. by the
majority of intelligent public opinion in the
States in which the arid lands arc situated
and It is the only practical decision OF the
matter. The Hon. JAMES BUCEPHALUs BEL
FORD OF Colorado. once famous as "the Red
headed Rooster OF the Rockies" made fire
tipped speech In opposition at the Congress.
"The Government" he sold, "hsd thrown
money by sacks to Eastern States, and 1t
was time the West and North should unite
In demanding q recognition Of the duty
the Government owed to the West In dis
bursing the contents Of its bulging Treasury.
The time had come when the South and
West should be rescued from the grip OF
/
| compel the East to aid in the reclamation OF
arid land and relieve the congested condi-
ton Of Eastern cities. Initiate the example
Of Rome: Colonize desert places and bring
the empty mouths and empty hands OF tho
East to the empty lands OF the West. He
knew he was antagonizing his own delega-
ton by interfering with their land scheme.
but the land was the patrimony Of the peo-
pie that only should be relinquished when
the people signed a ouitclaim deed"
In the speech Of Prof. J. F. STANTON Of
Wyoming you can almost hear the blood
trickle on the floor Of the Congress:
Eight hundred million remained to b brought
in touch with the irrigation bureaus and land boards
and under tho domination Of the sovereign people Il
10 simply question whether these lands should be Inn
proved given the ruling corporations and
land rings which would tho last drop OF beod
from the settler who had been cheated OF his rights by
the Government Blood had been shed In the history
Of The United statss and the next OF greater Bit
tsrnsss than expressed in the national history.
would b between the East and West"
Somebody asked the excitable Prof. STAN
TON for Government statistics on the ques-
tion. Statistics" f" he cried In scorn, "what
are they2 I have assisted in making them,"
q confession whereat the Congress was
kIcAlly SiSAAcus 0ut OScu JuO 60uH
STANTON was In favor OF State control. Mr..
GEORGE g. sYMMs Of Colorado said that
"fve billions had been appropriated for
Eastern improvements. and $500, ,OOO, 900 had
been given to railroads, and now. by the
Eternal, Congress had to code these lands or
take charge OF them. and live faithfully to
tho trust" Cong ress will undoubtedly
prefer to cede them to footing the enormous
bills for their reclamation. Senator WAR
Rem Of Wyoming made an excellent speech
on this point:
"Gsntlemsn. Am unrsssrvsdly In favor Of the zen.
srs Government eedinR all the lands the arid region
the states AID Territories in which they are situated
say they prefer that Congress should appropriate
large Of money for the reclamation of these lauda
believed that this would favor iS but
think II particularly unfortunate time In tho COM
ing Congress TO ask for large appropriation for or
other purpossa It will be the duty OF every Con.
gresham 10 NO against appropriation for tho
next two years. and think It 10 not proper for the
Western States to asI for any considerable of
money for recaming our arid lands Ibslsvs the time
10 ripe propose what probable TO obtain
In tho line OF suceesa and that 10 TO ask shs Govern
ment to give those lands for make the rose
blossom whore now II brush and caotuA when ws
sum up the probabilities to which are most likely
70 obtain from the United States Government the
lands the think can get lands
but would fail In the appropriations"
Some of the Eastern farmers organiza-
tions have passed resolutions against the
reclamation Of the arid lands by the Gov
ernment. There is certainly no good reason
why the whole country should be taxed for
a local improvement, whether the Eastern
farmers are justified or not in fearing
the reclamation. 1t is not tho business OF
the United States Government. nor is 1t
fitted to carry on the irrigation business.
The work can be done moro intelllgently,
more cheaply. and with fuller knowledge
and protection of local interests by the
States themselves. The increased value Of
the reclaimed land will justify undertaking
the improvements. The arid lands are Of
no use to the Federal Government. Cede
them to tho States in which they arc sit
uated, and lot those States have the expense
and the glory Of making tho rose blossom
where now Is the sage brush and the cactus.