Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1891-12-16
PACIFIC RAILWAYS DEBT.
Commission Urged to Agree Upon a Plan
for Disclosing of 1T.

Tor DlSpOslnS OF 1Cs
The report of the commissioner of railroads
shows that the total debt of the subsidized
railroads to the United States was, ON Decem-
Der 81, 1890, SIP, 12,6lS06 large part of this
debt is now fast approaching maturity with no
adequate provision for its payment. Some pol
icy tor dealing with this debt. with view to its
ultimate collection. should be at once adopted.
1t is very difficult, we'll nigh impossible, for so
large a body the Congress, to conduct the
Necessary negotiations and Investigations. l
therefore recommend that provision be made
for the appointment Of commission to agree
upon and report plan for dealing with this
debt
The work of the Census Bureau is now far in
advance, and the great bulk of the enormous
labor involved completed. 1t will be more
strictly a statistical exhibit. and less encum-
bered by essays than its immediate predeces-
sors The methods pursued have been fair,
careful, and intelligent, and have secured the
approval of the statiStic1ans who have followed
them with patience and non partisan interest.
The appropriations necessary to the early COM
pletion and publication of the authorized vol
umes should be given in time TO secure against
delays, which increase the cost and at the same
time diminish the value of the work
The report of the secretary exhibits. with in
teresting fulness, the condition of the terrific
ries. They have shared with the states the great
increase in farm products. and are bringing
yearly large areas into cultivation by extending
their 1rrigating canals. This work is being
done by individuals or local corporations. and
without that system which full preliminary
survey of the water supply and of
the irrigable lands would enable them to adopt.
The future OF the territories OF New Mexico,
Arizona nd Utah in their material growth and
in the increase, independence and happiness of
their people Is very largely dependent upon
wise and timely legislation, either by Congress
or their own legislatures regulating the dis
trlbution of the water supply furnished by
their streams. If this matter is much longer
neglected. private corporations viii have I'M
restricted control of one of the elements of life
and the patentees of the arid lands will be ten
ants at will of the water companies.
The United States should part with its owner
ship of the water sources and the sites for res
vors, whether to the states and territories or to
individuals or corporations only upon condl-
lions that will insure to the settlers their prop
er water supply upon equal and reasonable
terms. In the territories this whole subject is
under the full control of Congress. and IN the
states 1t is practically as long rs the govern
ment holds the title to the reservoir sites
and water sources and can grant them upon
such conditions 1t chooses TO impose. The
improvident granting of franchises of enormous
value, without recompense to the state or mu-
nicipality from which they proceei, and with
out proper protection of the public interests, is
the most noticeable and fragrant evil OF modern
legislation This fault should not be committed
in dealing with a subject that will, before many
years, affect SO vitality thousands of our people.