The Dalles daily chronicle. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1890-1948, 1892-05-14
GREAT PUBL1o IxrEREsT.

i
In our issue of yesterday we called the
attention of our readers, to the filing of
possessary water-rights for speculative
purposes, upon Clear Lake, one of the
largest of the beautiful bodies of water
situated in the dark timber SO high upon
the mountain range in the southwest
corner of township 4, south range 8,
east. The water of this lake surface Is
$500 feet above the Columbia river in
front of this city, and, supplied as it is
by the constant condensation of the
moist warm wind from off the
Pacific ocean. and from the melting
SHOWS from off the side of
Mount Hood, through the tortuous vol
canic fissures and channels from its very
crater, 1000 feet above, guarantees to the
settler, who occupies the high table
Wamic. and other similarly situated
fruitful lands, source of perpetual
wealth when properly applied by sys-
tenn of irrigation of broad public char
acter which, from the action of the gov
ernment, we had entertained reason to
believe was being attempted.
We are assured, and justified in saying
that Senator. Dolph had been making
efforts and preparation to apply this
broad system of irrigation, entered upon
by the government, to the whole great
basin of Eastern Oregon, containing sedi-
mentary deposit lands larger in area than
the whole of New England
Our citizens will remember that a
public meeting was held in the county
court rooms to discuss this matter, and
to prepare an adequate, extended repre-
sentation OF its great Importance to
wonderful area of territory, :, suited to
supply in fruitful lands, nation of
people; who with irrigation added, in
an ample method, which the waters of
| this lake, and its wonderful situation
guarantees, if directed by the govern
ment.
We can but express deep regret to
learn that speculative party, named
the Oregon Land, Irrigation, Timber
and Fuel Co., situated at Portland, has
| taken measures, under the state law
enacted the last session, to attempt to
| take control of all these waters, and the
| immense volume of privileges which are
qualified by, and co-partners Herewith !;
we mean the immense sized timber in
great quantity and several varieties. We
cannot but urge all who look upon the
prosperous progress of our people in
Eastern Oregon, especially in Waseo
county, if possible, to establish broad
application of the privileges in behalf of
the people, instead of bowing for gener-
alton or more as cannot fail to be the
fate of Eastern Oregon, if we must sub
NIT this great interest to the grindstone
of speculative capital.
Bunch grass, and its cattle and wool,
must, as a certainty of fate, grow less and
/ less, and seek homes and food farther in
the wilds. But those who gather pro-
ducts from the fruitful sedimentary soil
in the place formerly occupied by cattle
and sheep, must own and control the
profound privileges Nature has provided
to accompany these great changes of
| Progress. Hoarded capital has no busi-
ness in the control of great public
necessities. Gods gifts, in the form of
water, and rights of way, needed by
great communities, should belong to the
public first and open to individual effort
widely spread. Such is one of the great
Privileges of republican form of gov
ernment, and laws should not be made
to allow gathered capital to engross and
control the public domain or its impor-
tant formative privileges.
The Portland party who have entered
upon this speculative movement, wrote
to the county clerk of Wasco county not
to allow public notice to be made of his
i movement OF entry under this state law.
The matter we have represented is
narrowed into question whether such
1 great public privileges, and the immense
resources embodied Herewith, shall be
public advantages open to all, or held 5y a
pretended corporation, who under the grab
law passed the last session, belong to it?
1t will be remembered by readers, that
Hon. j. N. Dolph of Oregon is the chair
man of the joint committee of the nation
al house and senate who were appointed
to consider the question of irrigation
i and its public application. and that more
than six months since, by request OF
Senator Dolph full representation of
Clear Lake, Frog Lake and White River
capabilities for irrigation By the gene
Iral government was made, including full
i map of the whole region of eastern Ore
gon calling tor this government move
lement, and that the matter is now before
congress, but has been grabbed under
state law.
The city assessment roll will remain
in the hands of the assessor till MAY 18th.