Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1892-03-08
THE ARID LANDS.
Provisions of n Bill Providing For
Their CessiOn 10 the States.

that is likely to receive the attention
of Congress this session is that pre-
pared by the House Committee on
the Irrigation of Arid Lands, oeding
such lands to the States in which
they are located. and providing for
their reclamation, and Chairman
Lanham, of Texas, will ask for its
early consideration by the House.
The bill as prepared by the sub
committee, recites that inasmuoh as
the proper irrigation and reole nation
OF that portion Of the public domain
of the United States known as the
ard region, lying west of the ninety
seventh meridian Of longitude, pre-
sents many difficult questions relating
to the locating and demArcation of
catohment areas and basins, the con-
struction Of reservoirs for the storing
of storm and other waters and the
equitable distribution to the greatest
advantage of such water for sgricul-
tural purposes, which difficulties can
only be surmounted by laws, rules
and regulations made by those who
are best acquainted with and most in
terested in the problems to be solved
and who, as they are to receive the
greatest direct benefits, ought in
equity and justice, 70 defrsy the vast
expenditures Of money necessary aud
requisite to the improvement, recla-
nation and settlement of such land as
can be reclaimed, therefore, in order
to turn over and remit to the people
OF the States and Territories in which
Euch arid lands are situated all ques-
tons re ating to the irrigation Of the
same and to save further expenditure
of the money OF the United States
thereon, the bill provides that SUI
cot to all rights, inchoate or perfected
thereto, all lands of whatever nature
or description and rights thereto, in
Guiding water rights, now belonging
to the United States in the States Of
Nebraska, Nevada, South Dakota,
North Dakota, Montana, Washington,
Oregon, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado,
Kansas and California, and in the
Territories of New Mexico, Arizona,
Oklahoma and Utah, shall severally
be granted, oeded and confirmed to
these States snd Territories, the
grant to each to be OF the lands con-
tanned within its present boundaries
Rnd territorial limits.
The bill further, provides that the
President shall issue letters patent
for the same to the several States and
Territories designated, Whenever the
States and Territories shall, by act OF
Legislature, accept this possession 81
the lands as provided, within -four
yours from the time Of approval 81
this act.
The act will in no manner aheo
any of the lands held by the United
States for parks, naval, military O.
other public purposes, FOR any Indiar
or military lands, nor the Territorl
of Alaska. The Governors of tn,
Territories VI Utah, Arizona, Okla
homa and New Mexico arc required
within reasonable time after tn
passage Of the act, to call special Zoe
sions, il need be, Of their severn
Legislatures, to pass upon the pre-
visions OF the act and tho question
submitted to them.
No State or Territory accepting I'll,
oession OF lands ehan in any case eel
lease or dispose OF tho lands in create
quantity than 100 acres to any ON
pecson, corporation or asBooiatio,
nor shall any such State or TerritoI
in any manner impair or nuridge In
homestead privileges now granted /
soldiers an sailors uuder Inc Ian
laws OF the Unted States.