The state herald., 1891-01-23

entire cost of the building. Therefore, by
the issuance OF bonds bearing . low rate
OF interest and running for the longest
time authorized by the constitution the
future population will assist In paying tho
debt and the present taxpayers OF Colorado
will not feel the burden Of excessive
taxation.
l therefore most earnestly recommend
that you pass q law authorizing the crea-
ton Of an additional bonded indebtedness
OF $500, 900, to aid In the construction OF
the capitol building, and providing for the
submission OF the same to tho qualified
electors Of tho State At the next general
election.
STATE LANDS.
Under the provisions Of the enabling act,
the general government granted to the
State of Colorado, to be used for certain
designated purposes, $50, lG0 acres Of land,
and also IN additional grant Of $4,000
acres, to be used for the benefit OF the
state Agricultural College, making total
Of 74G, 100 acres.
= These lands were all selected under the
direction OF the State Board Of Land
Commissioners, and are among the very
best in the State.
These grants are In addition TO the 10th
and 36th sections, given for the benefit Of
public schools, which will amount TO
3,6O0, 600 acres more, making grand total
Of 4, 246, 100 acres.
Ofthe 746, 100 acres OF selected lands,
N3, 41U have been sold and lSB, Use are now
under lease, yielding IN annual income OF
ei2, 1882
or the $500, 600 acres Of the public school
lands, W, 40 have been sold and OBJ, $50
arc also under lease, yielding revenue Of
$69, G43 per annum.
II will be seen from these figures that
la mn tut ..I
income from leased lands amounting 70
ISL, 1865.
The creator portion Of the 343, 4l0 acres
frat sold was purchased by ditch COM
panies. under the provisions Of law
passed In 1883.
State board TO BIO for the beat interest Of
the State to sell tho alternate sections at
q low figure TO those companies, In consid-
GRAFTON that said companies would con-
struct canals OF sufficient capacity to carry
sufficient water to cover not only the
lands purchased, but also tho State's
alternate quarter sections, the company
agreeing to furnish water to tho States
lands ut price TO DO fixed by the board
Of county commissioners of the county In
which the lands were situated.
1t would have been sound policy II the
State had withheld its portion Of land from
sale Tor at least . lew years, and thereby
increase in value.
On the contrary, and In some instances
before the bitches were completed, the
made application to purchase,
and did purchase, tho remainder. of the
States lands, at price very little above
that paid for the land first sold TO them.
believe the selling Of the last half Of
the land to the same companies was mis-
take; 1t should have been retained by the
State and sold in small bodies 70 actual
settlers when needed by them for homes.
Since the selection Of these lands great
Inference OF opinion has existed a. 70 the
best disposition to be made Of them.
have always held TO tho opinion ex-
pressed in my message to tho first State
Legislature, as follows:
THAT large portion Of the agricultural
and best grazing lands should DO withheld
from sale and leased for term of years,
Ihus securing the advantages arising from
tho increase In population aud the natural
growth and improvement OF the country"
or the 3,5DO,UO0 acres Of school lands
there are about go, 900 that arc classed Us
Indemnity lands, and were granted to the
State In lieu OF lands lost, by reason OF
previous settlement, mineral restrictions,
private land grants, and Indian and
military reservations.
About 500, 900 acres Of this class of land
have been already selected, in largo bodies,
! would favor the sale of ono half OF
lands situated Us these are, to ditch CON-
panies on terms similar to those embraced
in contract recently made by the State
and board with the Colorado Land and
Water Company.
This contract provides for the sale Of
the alternate half section. and requires
that the company construct irrigating
canals large enough 10 supply water to all
the lands under them, including State
lands.
II further provides that said company
shall lease the States half for n term Of
i've years, and binding itself To 'cause the
water from the canal to be applied 10 all
Of the lands so leased, In such beneficial
way and manner NJ to constitute n
permanent water right, and also the right
10 demand and receive from said company
water therefor, TO attach and become
nppurtenant thereto"
In other words, the contract requires
the company to makea legal appropriation
Of water, by nm actual application OF 1t TO
The land.
This IL certainly very favorable con.
tract for the State. and 1t Is, In my
Judgment, the correct solution OF the land
for under the decision OF the
Supreme Court the water must DO ap-
piled TO the land or to some other
beneficial use. So the company, In order
must improve aud cultivate
The Land, and II this be done most OF the
State land under the ditch will become
improved farms before the expiration OF
The i've years lease. Tho State board can
then either release or sell TO actual set
tiers In small tracts for homes, rs In their
Judgment will bring the largest revenue TO
The school fund. BY this means the State
will derive the full benoht arising from
natural growth and Improvement OF the
In view OF tho above facts consider the
Soo, 900 acres OF tho indemnity lands To be
Of more value than all OF tho remaining
!, 0O0, 900 acres embraced In the 10 and 3th
for a large majority OF the latter
are either out on the plains beyond the
reach OF water or In the rough and rocky
land OF tho foothills aud mountains, and
arc only valuable for grazing purposes.
l would therefore recommend that the
law relating to tho sale of State land be
10 amended US 70 provide that whenever
amy OF such lands shall DO sold To ditch or
canal companies that they shall DO required
To lease the portion OF such lands remain.
Ing In the State ut a fair rental, and shall
also cause an actual appropriation OF
water from such canals TO be mGdc thereto
In such manner rs TO constitute u legal MP
OF water for such lands.
IRRIGATION.
The subject OF irrigation IL perhaps
attracting NJ much attention ut tho pres
cnt time ms my one question which will
come before you during your present SEES
sion, md II will require as much thought
and careful consideration Ms uny with
which you will have " deal.
There II n widespread feeling on this
subject, md In some sections OF the State
the people arc holding meetings for the
OF tho various phases Of tho
water question. md especially ns TO tho
priority Of rights and the u,c OF water for
domestic purposes.
There Is n great diversity Of opinion on
these matters, and IL will continue 10 OK
list until such time us tho meaning OF tne
phrase, "tho uso OF water for domestic
Ia determined by n decision OF
tho Supreme Court.
would, therefore, call your attention
To tho treatment Of this particular subject,
In tho bills which have occn prepared aud
presented for your consideration by both
the majority and minority OF tsc commits
sion appointed by his oxcalioncy, tho gov
erDor tn revise the laws of the State