The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-06
FOR LAWMAKERS.
Some Suggestions About the Prob
lem Of Irrigation by the
State.
Sweet Grass Replies to Comments
Made by a Livingston
Paper.
Mrs. Kirkendali, of the Women's Relief
Corps, Urges the Establishment Of
u Soldiers Home.

70 HE INDEPENDENT: Believing, ike
many others. that the subject of most vital
interest to Montana at present before the
legislature is that Of irrigation. l desire to
submit a few thoughts upon the problem.
The most valid objection ! think urged
against the bill introduced by Representa-
tive Huffman is that is will load the state
with an immense debt long before we can
derive any benefits from the proposed sys-
tenn Of irrigation. On the other hand. il ia
urged that if the matter be delayed until
the state Is we'll able to take il up every
water right in Montana will have been ap-
propriated by private corporations and the
state can only regain them at great saori-
fee. The benefits of irrigation are neces-
sarily of slow attainment. for the works
must be complete and water running be-
fore a sta t can be made in the cultivation
and development OF the land. Abraham
Lincoln was first elected to the Legislature
of Illinois upon q platform declaring for
the issue of state bonds for the pur oss of
making internal improvements. Ths pro-
CANINE was car ried out. Bonds we're issued
in large amount. Railroads. canals and other
public works were started all over the safe.
but the money proved to be far short of
what was needed to finish tho undertaking.
Al the second and third issue of bonds,
capitalists became timid, prices dropped
and no more honda could be sold. The
work was never finished and tho PEOPLE
burdened with an enormou debt. The de-
velopment of the state was retarded by at
least twenty years.
What might have been the result had the
hrst issue of the bonds been used to COM
plete and put on q paying basis one or two
IT the most promising enterprises? Would
t not be wise instead Of issuing ST. 900, 900
n bonds as proposed in the Hoffman bill,
10 issue for the first year but S25,000 for each
district making n total of $4,000? This
money, or SO much as needed, to be used
II surveying, locating and preserving to tho
state water rights, reservoir sites, etc.. the
iecond years issue, say not to exceed $780,
700 for each district. to be used in construe-
ion work; these bonds to be issued In
separate lots by each enterprise and
0 bear upon their face tho name
f the particular enterprise for
vhioh they are issued; the tolls derived
rom such enterprise above the cost of
maintenance to be used for tho interest and
linking funds of these iartieular bonds;
nd any surplus to go into q contingent
und for the benefit of the district. All
'pnda to be issued or guaranteed by the
tate.
The bonds for any one enterprise to be
irst sold. but only issued as the money ia
.esded, and this after the entire contract
as boon let. This will insure the compile
ion Of any work undertaken. BY this
aeans the water rights would bs secured to
he state. The state would not be plunged
ecklcssly in debt, and il the results should
rows at all satisfactory, as We believe they
you'd, each succeeding legislature would nc
oubt authorize the further issue of bonds.
believe provision should be made in the
III whereby the water commissions 8
hould furnish at cost to any p ivats cor
Grafton any data, surveys or other infor-
nation which they, the commissioners
1ight have. and that such private corpo a
ion be autho ized to engage in the con
t%ruction OF any work of irrigation not in
ontlict with any wo k al eady undertaken
y the state. The tolls to bs charged by
ny such private corporation to be reRu-
ated by the state water commissioners.
Tho objection to the bill on the ground
hat the greatest beneficiary would be- the
lorthern Pacific Railroad company is short
lighted In the extreme. for whatsves In
reases the value of any land increases the
axable wealth of the state. 1t is also
lged that the bill ia fundamentally wrong
ecause it taxes the whole pee, 10 for the
ens6t of a few. The author of this state
lent evidently did not dig very deep into
he problem, for while the farmer must pay
* upon the increased value of his land he
lust also pay for what water he may use,
'hile the mechanic. merchant and miner
re- enabled TO purchase the farmers pro-
uct at nc Q favorable prices. They pay
0 water toll and but little increase. if any,
n their property. while the laborer without
ropefty receives his share OF the benefits
nd pays no increased tax whatever. Thus
le money that is now drained from our
hannels of trade to b ing to US the flour.
ain and produce of other states will be
ept at home and by it's circulation will
lfuse new life into every branch of trade,
FRED WHIrEsIDE.
Helena, Feb. 4, 1893.