The herald., 1893-10-08
certainly legislate to put watsr on the

certainly legislste to put water on the
lande.
1t is just that appropriations should
be made for these purposes out OF the
immense surplus of the governments
revenues. Look at the millions OF dol
lars annually appropriated and expended
for the improvement OF rivers and har-
bors. The number of people benefited
thereby are only those engaged in trans
portatiop. Is transportation the only
thing requiring the paternal care OF the
government? Has there ever been a
secretary of transportation? The sub
ject has never been deemed of sufficient
Importance to create such an office in
the presidents cabinet.
Agriculture has secretary. 1t has
been elevated to the dignity of the most
important, and made the equal OF the
other functions of the government. 1t
is agriculture which demands the ad-
vancepent of the cause OF irrigation.
Already has the last OF Uncle Sam's
naturally watered domain been given
away. The land Offices are preparing to
close up.
Nothing is left now but the vast arid
plains on the eastern slope of the Rocky
mountains, in the Colorado basin and
on tho western slope of the Sierra
Nevada.
Within this area it is plainly the duty
of the government:
First-To cause general survey to be
made to ascertain:
(a) The area of catchments and vol
ume of water supplies.
(b) The aites for reservoirs and routes
OF waterways.
(c) The local duty of water and acre.
age capable of supply.
(d} The estimated cost Of construction
of both public and private water works.
Second-To appropriate sufficient
funds to economically execute such oi
the foregoing plan as are plainly of q
public character.
Third-To arrange some equitable
plan for the settlement or occupation oi
said lands by Uncle Sans bona fide
children and none others, and utterly
excluding speoulators and monopolies.
Some of this work has already been
done, especially the appropriation for
the preliminary survey of catchment
areas and reservoir sites. But the work
should not be allowed to stop. This is
one of the objects Of next Tuesday'e
convention.
The civilization built upon the irriga-
tion of the arid lands will be of the
most permanent character, even as irri-
CATION is more constant and equable
than the natural rainfall.
/ In irrigated countries failures Of crops
are never known. Hence, there lie never
cessation OF the revenues of the people.
The first great principle of finance
the creation and maintenance of rev.
enue-with such a people is always q
solved problem. Hence, with the exer.
cise on their part of the second great
principle OF fnance-the saving of @
| part, greater or less, of their revenues
there is bound to be colossal accumu
lation of wealth in the irrigated belts.
With wealth will come leisure, Cul-
Lure. education, refinement, elegance
in fact. the greatest civilization OF thiI
age will grow up in the arid zones as i
did in other and former ages.
The most pleasing pictures open be
fore the mental vision are the arid por
tions of the United States, viewed al
they will be fifty and a hundred year
hence. Great cities of grand mansion
and fine thoroughiares, besetting emer
aid fields, watered with crystal flood
from everlasting and snow-crowHet
mountains, with every condition favor
able for physical and psychical develop
ment. what magnificent race OF mai
there will be?
Let us all put our shoulders to tn
wheel and help lay the foundation
this desirable state of affairs.