The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-02-13
STATE CONTROL OF ARID LANDS.

The house committee on irrigation
evidently did not read Mr.. Powers
speech before the Helena irrigation con.
v~cntion or if it did his badly disjointed
remarks failed to produce any converting
power upon that body. for the committee
by an almost unanimous vote agreed to
the proposition to cede the arid lands to
those states and territories in which they
lie. for reclamation. In thus voting the
committee not only took the proper and
popular view of the question but it
voiced the sentiments of the proplc of
of the west upon it.
The TRIBUNE has not yet heard valid
reasons why the interests of settlers
would be better subservcd by the GOV
eminent retaining possession of the ir-
rigablc lands of the west, and controIl-
ing enterprises looking to their rcclama-
ton. 1t has yet to learn that the general
government can accomplish any given
undertaking more speedily and at less
cost thar the same can be accomplished
10y a state which is more directly con
ccrncd in its Inauguration and compile
ton. The history Of government enter
prises negative the assumption. The
government is slow, proverbially so, in
the prosecution of public works, and
provcrbially prodigal in its expenditures.
Once place the reclamation of the arid
lands of the entire west in its hands and
the child is not born that will see a com
plcte system Of irritation perfected in
Montana. And the appropriations which
would be asked for year after year would
make the bones of all the ancient and
modern IIolmans turn with alright in
their cercments.
State control Of its irrigablc lands
under proper restrictions and safeguards
would hasten the Inauguration and com
pletion Of the work necessary for the re-
demption and settlement, for the inter
csts of the state and its people would be so
ana pressing as to stimulate their
Joint efforts in the perfection of the on
This proposition can not rca-
be disputed. The dangers arts
ing from corporate influence would be
no greater If the.,arid lands were under
state control than if the general govern
nent took charge of their reclamation.
Power waved the corporation flag in
The faces Of his hearers up at Helena.
and at the same time a majority Of
were either representatives Of or
Interested members in companies and
whicn controlled much. if
about all, the surplus running water
n the state and were seeking to gain
possession Of all the agricultural lands
by their canals and bitches.
These companies and corporations are
Icing a good work in the reclamation of
rid lands, but their enterprises are but
lrops in the ocean Of possibilities. What
S wanted is "a system of great reservoirs
o retain the spring waters Of overflow
ng streams, and a network of canals
nd bitches to distribute the husbanded
|uid upon the vast areas of fertile
inds which private companies and cor
Orations fail to reach. These are 1
TO reclaim arid lands and make
hem abiding places for the thousands ,
4 the east who are looking westward I
,r homes for themselves and their fam s
les. All desire this end, the only con i
antion being as to the best means to be I
Inpl0yed to reach it. The TRIHuNr 7
concurs in the decision of the {
ouse committee on irrigation to cede a
arid lands to the states in which i
ley lie. |