, 1892-03-18
QUESTION UNDER DISCUSSION.

QUESTION UNDER DISCUSSION
If the arid lands are ceded to the
several states the general government
should cede thom Internationally, leaving
to the individual states the solution OF the
pr Dblem of their reclamation. AS these
lands are now they are of absolutely nc
value to the government, the states OF
the people. They are just SO much waste
and barren land which are practically ir.
reclsimsble under present conditions.
Given to tho several states with ~restric,
tons attached the work OF reclamation is
necessarily hampered aud they become to
the state what they are now to the gen
eral government. viz; a white elephant.
They should be in a measure a dowry to
the new states which otherwise start out
portiouless in their race with their more
favored aud older sisters. Properly
managed they would, SO to speak, set the
state up in business, drawing hither set
tiers who would be assured a living from
the start, filing the state Golfers from
their sale aud adding vastly to the taxable
wealth.
1t has long been our view that tho
cession Of the arid lands would result in
vast benefit to the new states which are
so badly 10 need of some such source OF
wealth and stimulus to enterprise. In
this section of the west the people are
confronted by new conditions which must
be met in new ways. Old time theories
cannot be fitted to them. So far we have
been forced to work out our own salvation.
The general government has charged Just
as much for the barren lands OF the far west
as for the fertile lands elsewhere and has
been Just as severely technical In its con
strucuon of the laws with relation to
them. There are vast natural difficulties
to overcome and subjugate in every arid
state and eyen 10 the present stage of pro-
gress the people have surmounted mighty
obstacles which citizens of other states
have never encountered. 10 unrestricted
possession of all the arid lands, with a
wise outstanding Of our resources, we
would start forth in the march of progress
on a solid financial footing with an assured
future before us.
But would our resources be wisely hus-
bandedP Would the sole aim and purpose
OF our lawmakers be to subserve the gen.
eral good, or would the available lands
drift into the hands of great corporations
and a few favored Individuals Would
not the cession OF the arid lands furnish
another avenue for the accession of power
to INSCRIPTIONS individuals and offer an
opportunity to add vastly to their present
landed possessions. thus keeping out the
small settlers and overawing and crushing
the thrifty ranchmen in their neighbor-
hoods who are now making a fairly good
living for themselves and their families?
1t cannot be disputed that the great
trouble comes in. right there. We take it
that among those who have studied the
question there is little or no opposition
to the cession OF the arid lands per Sc. 1t
Is the after consequences which most peo-
pie fear and many of them therefore look
with aggressive suspicion upon the whole
matter. They have seen obsequious leg
islatures In the past-what reason is there
to believe there will not be- others in the
future2 They have seen the plain letter
OF the constitution violated in the election
OF the very man who now 30 warmly ad-
vocstes this scheme and they have no as
suranoe that another legislature. at the
instance of this same individual, would
not prove equally ready to ignore all legal
restrictions and do his bidding with rela-
ton to the arid lands. The people sniff
the danger from afsr. They rave usually
found legislatures. not the creatures of the
peoples will. but toys 10 the hands of
their political master.
That there is some force to these argu-
ments cannot be denied. Holding. how
ever, to our own view that the arid lands
should be ceded, il at all, without qualifi-
cation to the states, we have nevertheless
invited a free discussion of the matter
through the columns of thus paper. Here
all sides are receiving a hearing and the
discussion will not only have the effect of
enlighteuing the public on this important
question, but if the benefits will most
probably accrue to individuals instead of
the general public that fact. too. will be
pretty thoroughly demonstrated.