Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1891-03-20

mands created by the development Of
the richest mining region on the
vast arid region Of the
United States.
THE RANGE AND RANCH CATTLE BCSI-
NESS.
Just here l would remark that the
great range and ranch cattle business,
SO much talked about a few years ago,
has suffered severe revulsion. This
has been caused in part by the overs
stocking of ranges, but chiefly by se>
we're winter storms. In the winter OF
1886 81 about So per cent. of the
range cattle of Montana persisted
from hunger and cold, and such visi-
tations have occurred in other States.
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN STATES not
ASKING FOR MONEY FROM THE
NATIONAL TREASURY.
Aud now having answered the
questions which lave raised touch
ing the conditions which sustain the
large and valuable market which has
been developed in the arid region for
Eastern products Of agriculture and
of manufacture, and touching the
perslstency OF that market | turn to
brief consideration of the dcclara-
tory phrase of the resolution ado tied
by the New York State Farmers
League: "Ihat National legislation
be deferred in reference to the irriga-
ton Of the Western arid lands at
public expense" The people Of the
arid region will say amen to that.
They are a brave and self>rt liant
people. BY Il cir own strong arms
and brave hearts and quick intelli-
gence they have triumphed over hos
tile and warlike Indian tribes, and
have overcome stnpendous obstacles
Of nature. Through patient toll they
are now drawing hundreds of millions
Of dollars from natures treasury, and
they ask not for dollar from the Ma
tional Treasury for the construction
Of irrigating works. All they ask is
that they may be permitted to develop
their own irrigation enterprises out
Of the profits which capital and labor
may achieve from such development.
THE DONATION OF THE LANDS OF THE
ARID REGION TO THE STATES.
A large proportion OF the arabic
and pastoral lands Of the Rocky
Mountain States is embraced in the
public domain. The National Gov
ernment is the trustee aud agent of
.he people for the sale of those lands.
The people of arid region believe that
the peculiar governing conditions de-
mand that this trusteeshIp should be
transferred to the several States Of
that region. This has abundant pre-
cedent in the present public land pol
icy Of the United States. The total
area OF swamp lands. and lands for
schools. seminaries, agricultural col,
!eges, aud public Improvements
already donated to the States amounts
to lG7 100000 acres, whereas the to-
tai area of irrigahle lands is estimated
at OILY about 5O,O00,00O acres. 1t is
impossible now to estimate the area
of the pastoral lands. but it is safe to
say that the total value Of the lands
already donated to the States greatly
exceeds the tota! value of the irrigable
and pastoral lands OF the arid region.
These lands are already a part Of
the territory Of the several States by
their compact of birthright with the
United States Bv the terms OF the
same compact the waters available for
irrigation are the property Of the
people Of the several States, and are
to be reg ulated and distributed by the
several State governme, is.
Agriculture by irrigation in those
States, as in very arid region of the
world, must of noce ssity be carried on
under a principle of law regarding
the ownership and distribution OF
running water, which has no place in
the laws of a rainfall area where the
law OF riparian rights prevails Com
gress and the Supr, me Court of the
United States have already recog
nized the right of the arid States to
regulate the subject OF irrigation II
their own way.
The subject of irrigation is intensel,
technical and peculiar, presenting il
self under different conditions in differ
ent States and in different parts o
the State. 1t seems 10 be impracti
cable therefore for the gov, rumelt o
the United States to attempt to nd
minister benehcially the irrigation
inter. sts Of the Rocky Mountain
States.
CONCLUSION.
1t is furthest from my thoughts t.
comment in any disputatious or cen
serious manner upon the errors int
which the New York State Farmers
League has fallen in regard to TIN
subje,t OF irrlc alton; for l have non
other than kind feelings toward tn