The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-08-08
Age has the following to say regarding
the Scandinavian settlement of Idaho.

aye n''S tno tolo"lnR 10 say regarding
the scandinavian settlement of Idaho:
These leading msn say they have dis.
covered that irrigated land is the land
of the future. They are actually NOV
ing considerable bodies of farmers from
the best portions of minnesota to the
new state of Idaho. Their convincing
argument IS the fact that crop failure
IS impossible under good system of
| irrigation, and that one acre in Idaho
VIII produce more wheat, year in and
year out, than four acres in the best
part OF Minnesota. The shrewd Scan
danavian instantly concludes that the
place for his children is in the irriga-
ton empire, and that the time to pHr
chase is before the pressure of settle
ment becomes greater.
Their convincing argument" would
be. entirely inapplicable to this section
of country because the irrigation sys-
tenn is bad. Not only are the canals in
this part of the country entirely made
quate, but they are Improperly manned
The survey of the Crook ditch has
been completed. When proper est
mates are made the landowners inter
ested will be enabled to approxima
the price they will have to pay TO,
water. We understand it will bt
placed at the minimum.
Great preparations are being made
by the people of Denver, Colorado, t.
entertain the Third National Irrigation
Congress that has been called to NEE
in that city September 3, 1894 Idaho
is interested in that congress and shoult
send full representation. We are en-
titled to two delegates large, on.
delegate for congressional district, ont
delegate for each board of trade, ano
one delegate to be appointed by the
mayor of each incorporated city or
town in this state. The congress shoulc
be unit regarding the most feasible
plan of irrigation of the arid region; i;
should settle the question of the divis-
ion Of waters Of interstate streams; it
should unite upon everythin & that will
promote the best interest of the west
it should attempt to unite the different
organizations Incorporated to advance
the colonization of the arid region. II
colonization organizations would unite
in advertising the immense resources
of tho west it would be the means of
assisting many deserving families to
independent homes in the arid west.
We have made mistake in thinking
that all this country needed was
wealthy settlers. What we want are
families with capital sufficient to place
in cultivation the arid and arabic lands
of southwestern Idaho. The people
who have settled upon the land between
this place and Nampa and Boise, are,
in great part, men who have gained
title to the land and are holding it for
purpose of speculation. The specula
tor allows his land to lie idle and allows
his neighbors-who are earnestly striv-
ing to make home and independent
living-by their work and energy, ap-
preciate the value of his, the specula-
tors, lands. These spectators are not
only useless membranes upon the
land but also retard the settlement of
the country, which is money out of the
pockets of the business men, money
taken from the pockets of their neigh
bors, and money taken from the pock-
cts of the canals companies.
Now if these lands were settled by a
class of sturdy and industrious farmers
they would soon create markets for
fruit, cereals and live stock in Boise
Nampa and Caldwell. They would
buy their supplies, clothing, farm ma
chlnery and seeds, from the merchants
of these places, and for the first two or
three years after settlement would buy
groceries for themselves and feed for
their stock in the home markets. and
further, would make market for con
siderable of the goods of our old and
established farmers, and would create
q demand for laborers. All these facts
should receive the attention of our
business men and our citi-
zens. They are in the majority and
they should see to it that a law be
passed by our next legislature making
It obligatory upon tho holders of pub.
lie lands to improve them; make them
so much of their lands every
year, and not leave these spectators
10 sycophants and land leeches upon
he country. A law also should be
passed placing tax upon unimproved
ands equal to that of the improved
ands of their neighbors.
Let all assist in the growth and
progress of our country, and let the
and and water questions be Justly and
'quitably settled by our next legisla-
ure. These questions are of vital i'm.
to the growth of the south
md 0nn