Southwest-sentinel. [volume] (Silver City, N.M.) 1883-189?, 1893-11-21

Washington. D. O. Nov. 8, %.
80 Ions Corrr-

with you, az the convention will no
doubt be one Of more than ordinary inn
porta1ce, and tie deliberations ought TO
exercise much influence in shaping leg
islation on this subject. There a be
no more opportune time for action than
the present, for the reason that the pub
lie mind is much agitated with the pres.
emit unsettled condition Of business; the
financial stringenoy and the many RENEE
dies sought 10 bring relief, the silver
agitation, the depressed condition Of the
masses Of the working people, aud the
distrust which obtains in all business
and financial circles.
This confused and unsettled condition
Of 30 many interests in the country at
large calls for a remedy. Now is the
time 10 centre these fragmentory condi-
tions Of public unrest on the arid land
problem, which, properly solved, will not
only bring great relief TO the arid region,
which is composed OK portions OK seven
teen states and territories,-an area Of
five hundred and forty million acres, Of
which more than twenty millions lie in
cluded in Arizona and New Mexico
but will give employment and homes TO
tens Of thousands of families. The peo-
pie are land hungry, as was made mani
fest by the recent Oklahoma rush for
homes in the public lands.
Congress must be made to feel the
necessity Of immediate action to relieve
this want. Public opinion must be ere.
ated and moulded on the Importance Of
the reclamation Of the lands of the arid
region. The feasibility Of the reclama-
ton Of this vast arid region must be
shown; yes, and in it's reclamation the
vast multitude of people to whom il will
offer employment, thus relieving the con-
gested cities Of the east Of surplus labor
and providing lands for the myriads of
home seekers. The productiveness Of
these reclaimed lands should also be
shown Public opinion thus created
will exercise a strong influence on the
law making power.
The country should also be reminded
Of the fact that the arid and silver re-
gions are one, and the depreciation Of
the silver industry ought TO be replaced
by some other channel for employment.
This can be provided in the reclamation
OF these lands-both congress and the
public will appreciate the justness Of
this claim, and will also encourage favor
able action. And the fact that no ap-
preparations Of financial aid is asked
from the federal government, but that
the people only ask to be allowed to help
themselves is a strong argument in its
behalf.
Then, too, the solution Of no question
will cement the east and west more thor
oughly than this. 1t will bring eastern
capital into requisition for the reclama.
ton Of these lands. 1t will create a vast
addition to wealth producing resour.
oes and will return vast revenues to the
government through it's various chan.
nels. It will establish the fact that while
the mining industry Of this region is
great, it lie a mere bagatelle as compared
with the agricultural interest which can
be developed, for while mines are being
constantly depleted Of their wealth by
working, the agricultural industry is
permanent and always brings with it
homes and a increase Of wealth.
How can public interest be created
and how can congressional action be
most easily and readily focused on this
subject? This must be done through
the ~press-for through it we must make
public opinion with free aud enligbt-
ened people, is Omnipotent in controlling
legislation-for what are laws but the
capitalization Of public opinionf Do
not forget that every senator and con-
gresham puts his ear TO the groud each
morning to catch the rumblings Of pub.
lie opinion. Once get the press OF the
country aroused in the interest OF any
question OF public concern and a result
is readily achieved. But how to interest
the press in the arid land problem is an
important consideration. It seems to
mesthat this can best be done by means
Of public meetings and conventions
adopting resolutions expressive Of the
opinions OF the people, which will be
flashed throughout the continent and
engage public attention. Those inter
ested in this subject should come togeth.
or everywhere throughout the states
and territories Of the ARID region to agi.
tate the same, and this sho uld DO done
at once.
There are two bills bearing on this
matter nov before oongress-the Lucas
snd the Joseph bills-and the passage
OF q or the other should DO urged inn
mediately. We must agitate, and agitate
now. We must send to the President
and heads "a the departments and 10
every senator and congressman oil the
information obtainable on this subject.
RESOLUTIONS should be forwarded, COM
mittees should be formed In the different
states and territories in the arid region
to concentrate the will Of the people, and
/ would advise q conference committee
TO meet during the early part Of next
year in Washington to urge legislation
on this question.
just at present the attention of the
entire country Is rlveted on the silver re-
gion. On account Of the silver agitation
nc is important that we tender a new
issue from tho same region for the ron
sideration Of the public and Congress