The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-05-10

getting so that men cannot be induced
to buy, take up or any way undertake
the extensive tilling of the soil under
private corporate canal We find
that we will not have space to give
the scope TO the question in this
article as originally contemplated.
| Therefore we will make the sweeping
assertion that the whole system is
rotten to the Foundation and that the
future greatness of the state of Idaho
depends upon Immediate reform and
the enactment of laws which will make
the water and land one and inseper-
able, vesting the ownership in the
same head. TO remedy present evils
many excellent plans are proposed,
but all in our opinion fall little short
of the soundest and simplest way of
solving the problem. 1t is necessary
to the existence of husbandry that
the tiller of the soil have roadways
over which to transport his products
the state Through the counties)
steps in and builds the necessary
roadways and puts a tax on the dis
trict benefited to construct and main
tain them. 1t is ten times more nee
essary to the existenc of husbandry
in this state that water be put on the
land to make it grow the materials
which are hauled over the highways.
Why should not the state in the same
manner construct water ways to con-
vey the water on the land of which
it is a part and parcel, and tax the
district benefited to build and main
tain2 We advocate that plan I'M
compromlsingly because it will vastly
decrease the expenses of the agricul-
tural industry and correspondngly
increase the profits, and infuse new
vigor into the tillers of the soil, and
when their business hourishes, all
business hourishes. If a mill can be
operated by water power it is cheaper
than steam and becomes q more val
liable property capable of being run
with greater profit State canals are
the water power and private corpora
ton canals are the steam, or more
costly, power. If the cheaper is
adopted agricultural profits are in
creased, the industry becomes more
Independent, takes on thriftier life.
and the effects of the decline in prices
in times like these are not so wide
spread. Now, we propose that the
next legislature enact law contain
ing these points:
Upon petition of two-thirds of
the residents of any section coming
up to certain standard of irrigation
susceptibility, the State Irrigation
Engineer Ito be provided fop shall
estimate the cost of the needed canal,
and ten or twenty year bonds shall
be issued by the state for its con-
struction.
2.-That the waters taken through
such canal be delivered absolutely free
on the lands to be irrigated, distribu-
ton to be. controlled by water super
visor ito be provided for, similar to
road supervisory under such methods
as may be found to be most advanta-
geous.
"a special annual tax shall be
levied on all land covered by such ca
nal sufficient to pay the bonds when
they become due, the annual interest
thereon and maintain the canal in OBJ
Grafton after constructed; and the tax
collector of all counties in which state
canals are in operation to be instruct
ed to collect said tax at the same time
and in the same manner as other state
and county taxes.
4.-That after the bonds have been
paid the water tax be lowered to the
simple requirements of ditch main.e-
nance.
5-That under the same condition,
private canals may be appraised by
the state at such figures as shall equi-
tably reimburse the owners for all
capital invested, with just return on
the same, so that not the slightest
wrong shall be done him and not one
dollar contiscated. To the purchase
price to be added sufficient sum to
enlarge the canal to a capacity that
will supply all the land under it, and
the bonds issued to cover the whole.
1t might be necessary to include
some other points, but we believe
these points carry the true principles
ofirrigation and agricultural eminence,
and we trust those papers of the state