The record-union., 1892-03-11
been done. The system in the past has
not escaped severe censure.

AlleT u Careful I6NlGW OF Inc WuOlt
question we have arrived ct the conclu-
benefited by it, and viii gain rather than
loose by the proposed cession; that it VIII
gain in the acquisition and increase OF
strong. self-supporting Western popula-
ton; that it will be benefited by the OPP
portunity that VIII be afforded foran outlet
for its present and prospective millions of
landless and homeless people who now
crowd, and will in future overflow, its
dense and more populous Eastern States;
that additions TO the popular well-belng
and prosperity will ensue; that fresh
stimulus will be given to the States aud
Territories Immediately interested to an
earnest endeayor for their own develop
ment; that local self-government in all
the problems involved will assert its
forces; that civilization will be advanced;
that the waving fields and comfort
able homes will make glad the solitary
places which now abound in this dormant
and unproductive region.
THE LAND WILL Go TO THE PEOPLE.
What will-what can the Government
lose? What citizen-what State Will be-
grudge its proportionate contribution of
heritage remaining in this fragment of
public domain 10 people who are to re-
deem it? What sacrifice to either will be
involved in surrendering these now bar
rem wastes and hills and mountains?
They will not go to aliens, but to our own
people. 1t is worthy of notice that no
serious protest from any Eastern States
against the objects sought to be accom-
plished by this bill have found their way
TO your committee, Notwithstanding the
long time they have had the subject under
consideration, and the public notice
which has been given concerning the
character of the measure upon which
they have been deliberating.
We have been forcibly impressed with
the conviction that suitable legislation
upon this subject is imperatiyely de-
manded and cannot be longer postponed.
That this policy will ultimately prevail
we confidently predict. Can the States
and Territories administer the trust
which it is proposed TO commit TO their
hands, and will they do so wisely and
well? 1t is not contemplated that bur
den shall be forced upon them. The vol
untary acceptance must precede actual
cession. Il viii be left to them in their
own sovereign capacity to determine for
themselves as to whether they will re-
ceive the grant. We are led to believe
that they will accept it with conditions
and reservations defined and stipulated.
The Western people almost with one ac-
cord have united in asking this cession.
They have signified their purpose and
desire, through legislative memorials,
resentative conventions, through reSOlu
tions of the gl eat irrigation congress held
at Salt Lake City in last September, COM
posed of delegates from ten States and
two Territories, and through numerous
petitions from different parts Of the coun-
try. That they are in earnest about the
matter there seems to be no room for
doubt. If State Legislatures are accessi-
ble To corrupt compassings the response
bility will rest upon the people who
choose them. If the voters of the States
can make a wise selection in the case of
members of Congress, no reason is per-
ceived why they cannot exercise the
same judgment ia the election Of State
Legislature.
THE PEOPLE CAN BE TRUSTED.
Western people, as a rule, reflect as
high types OF real manhood, in all its bet
ter elements, as adorn the American
character in any quarter OF the Union.
They are heroic, patriotic, energetic and
self-reliant, and can be depended upon
for the performance of all the duties and
obligations which devolye upon them.
If an illustration be required OF the capac-
ity of a State to administer its land sys-
tenn without supervision or interference
on the part of the General Government,
the State of Texas, with its immense area,
Will furnish an instructive example. 1t
has held out its own encouragement to
immigration. 1t has invited capital in it's
own way. 1t has granted its lands at its
own pleasure. Both in prescriptions in
aid of education and for internal improve
ments it has issued its own patents and
exercised without restraint its own judg-
ment in the disposition of its public do
main.
EARLY IRRIGATION.
The objection which may be urged
against the cession to the Territories be-
fore they are admitted as States of the
Union: the doubt that the people would
act wisely in discharge of the trust; that
the legislation on the subject might be
reckless, and thus defeat the object to be
attained. is largely met by pointing to
the success which has attended the irri-
CATION and reclamation OF arid lands in
the Territory OF Utah. Irrigation in the
United States by white men began in
Utah in 1917, and has proved most graf
flying success under wise and conServa-
tive legislation. based largely upon actual
experience. The waters have been so
distributed and utilized by the settlers as
to produce very good results. Consider
ing the scarcity of water and vast area
irrigated, there have been comparatively
few conflicts over water rights.
UTAH'S DEVELOPMENT.
The showing in the recent nited States
census. of agricultural development gives
fair conception of what has been accom-
pIished in that Territory. Crops were
raised by irrigation in the census year
ending June 80, 1890, on 263, ,473 acres, or
4lI.6S square miles, trife over five
tenths of per cent. OF the entire area OF
the Territory. The aggregate number OF
farms was 10, ,757, and of these 9,724. or
about nine -tenths, depended on irriga-
ton, the remaining tenth being either
stock ranches or farms in the northern
end of the Territory, where the climate
is less arid, or situated so high on the
mountain side that the crops can be
raised by what is known as dry farming.
The irrigated farms in Utah are small,
averaging from twenty to thirty acres
each 1t has not been the policy Of the
people of Utah to encourage acquisition
of large bodies of land. and the monopoly
of water has been impossible. The laws
were made to encourage and protect the
settlers. The small holder has an equal
| opportunity for his proportional share OF
water with the large holder. The greatest
good to the greatest number is the pre-
! vailing idea and has always been strictly
/ enforced. Water rights are considered
sacred, and no theft is regarded more
despicahle than the theft Of water in the
| irrigation season, and no misdemeanor is
more quickly punished.
The quantum of land that may be dis
posed of TO any person, corporation or
/ association is limited to l60 acres. This,
it was believed, would have the effect OF
preventing monopolies and syndicates
| from securing possession of large bodies
OF these lands to the detriment of the
people, and might serve as a restraint
upon rash legislation in this respect
! should the same be accepted.
MINERAL LANDS.
! The mineral lands are reserved to the
/ United States. These lands have not
/ been distinctly classified, and special To-
| calities where minerals may exist cannot
/ be satisfactorily designated, but must be
! left in great measure to the discoveries oi
prospectors. From the nature of the case
! it * inn r,oSSjbia to SDacify thp axfpOt Of