Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-01-05

Pecos valley in the counties of Eddy and
Chaves there has been completed one of
the grandest systems of irrigation ever
witnessed in the world. The conception
of this great enterprise reflects honor
upon the originator, while its completion
in so methodical a manner in so short a
time, in the face of the great financial
crisis and the many difficulties that con-
fronted it, speaks volumes for the enter
prise and courage of those who had the
work in hand
New Mexico possesses to-day the
largest reservoir in the world with one
exception, and with proper laws our adj
vancement already SO great must i'm
prove rapidly in the future. Few of Us
realize that two-thirds of the food sup.
Piled to the world is raised in arid re-
giens by means of irrigation.
Babylon, Tyre and Carthage, queen
cities of the past, we're all desert born,
| their grandeur aud worth drawn from
tho canals and bitches that watered the
lands surrounding them. The lilies that
grew in the world famed gardens of Baby
Ion were the result of artificial irriga-
tion. The greatest monuments to the
people who reared those fabulous trade
centers are the ruined works fashioned
for the preservation and distribution of
water. OF the great city of Carthage not
a stone remains, but the magnificent ac-
queduct that supplied her people with
water still exists and waters the city of
Tunis.
With soil as rich as can be found in
any portion OF the world adapted to the
growth of every variety Of grain and
vegetable, vines and fruit produced in
the temperate zone, and a climate unsur-
passed, it would seem that the valleys of
New Mexico might, with sufficient capt.
tai and effort for the saving and utilizing
of the flood waters Of summer and the
melted SHOWS of winter, be in time made
the garden Of America and the home of
large and prosperous population.
Let me ask of you to consider we'll
the legislation necessary for the develop
ment of the agricultural interests of this
territory and the passage of such laws as
will bring within our borders the capital
required to conserve the great bodies of
water now flowing to waste for nine
months IN the year in the streams that
traverse our valleys. There ls nothing
at this time deserving your careful at
tentlOn ana COu6lQeIatlOn TO RrehteF
extent than the operation of system of
irrigation and conservation of the flood
waters now going to waste.
The rights of those who build bitches
and reservoirs should be perfectly de-
fined, SO that he who invests his capital
in New Mexico may feel that he has &C.
quired title to the water conserved and
that he will be protected in his in
terests. Liberal donations, either of
land for reservoir rights or the relief
for series of years from the burden of
taxation as an inducement to capital
should be made, looking at all times to
the protection of the rights of property
of the adjoining property owners, and
the final taxation of land thus reclaimed.
Believing that this assembly is fully
alive TO the wants and necessities of this
territory, and that you will faithfully per-
form your duties in manner to reflect
credit upon yourselves and rebound to
the future benefit of our territory, l will
conclude, leaving you to the performance
of your duties and invoking the bless
ings of the omnipotent and all wise God
over your deliberations.
W. L. THORNTON,
Governor of New Mexico.