The herald., 1896-11-17

that 1t runs counter to any provision Of
| tale federal constitution, and we must
| for that reason hold the objection here
considered to be untenable."
Justice Peckham devotes a consider
| abM portion of his decision to an exhibi-
| ton of it's Importance. Accepting the es-
| timaN that the arid belt includes 600, ,000,-
| 900 acres of land, he said: "Of this enor-
nous total, artificial irrigation has thus
far bee used on about 3,500.000 acres,
of which slightly over 100000 acres lie
in the state of California. 1t was stated
by counsel that something over thirty
irrigation districts had been organized
in California under the act in question,
and that a total bonded indebtedness of
more than $4,000. 900 had been used by
the various districts under the provi-
sions of the act, and more than $40, 900, 900
Of the bonds had been sold and the mon
ey used for the acquisition of property
and water rights, and for the construc-
tion of works necessary for the irriga-
ton of lands contained in the various
districts.
Whether these statements are per-
fectly accurate or not is matter of no
great Importance. as it has been assum-
ed by all that umbers of districts have
been formed urtder the act and very
large indebtedn ess already incurred and
that more will be necessary before all
the districts will be placed in efficient
working condition. All these moneys,
if the. act be v;tlid must eventually be
repaid from assessments levied upon
lands embraced within the respective
districts, while the annually recurring
interest upon these moneys is also to be
paid in the same way. Taking the Cali
fornia act as model. it was also stated
and not contradicted that several of the
other states which contain portions of
the arid belt (seven or eight) had passed
irrigation acts and that proceedings un-
der them were generally awaiting the re-
suit of this litiagtion. The future pros
perity Of these states, it was claimed,
depended upon the validity of this act
as furnishing the only means practica-
,ble for obtaining artificial irrigation
without the aid Of which millions and
millions of acres would be condemned
to lie idle and worthless, which other
wise would furnish enormous quantities
of agricultural products and increase
the material wealth and prosperity of
that whole section of the country"
The court reversed the verdict of the
circuit court for the western district of
Arkansas in the case of John Brown who
had been found guilty of the murder of
oF3o IN, MOI
and ordered new trial.
The Westinghouse brake case, which
has already had several hearings, was
again restored to the docket for argu-
ment, because of division of the court
The supreme court took recess today
until Monday. the 30th.
INVESTORS INTERESTS.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16-Much To-
cal interest is felt in the decision of the
United States supreme court in the irri-
cation bonds case, for on it the develop
ment of the state greatly depends. About
49, 900, 900 of irrigation bonds are held in
this vicinity and i'll Europe. Local banks
and capitalists have advanced much
money upon the bonds as collateral Sc
curities and decision that they are
valid means the immediate establish
ment of a strong market value for them,
the Issuance of more bonds and the
opening up of vast areas of rich farming
lands, which, coupled with the advance
in wheat, will make the state more pros
| porous than ever. A decree of the stt-
| preme court confirming Judge Ross de-
cision that the bonds were invalid would
have meant a loss to the extent of the
money invested in them, and the retard-
ing of the important work of irrigation
for time.
In the irrigation districts already af-
fected by the decision, the sustaining of
Judge Ross by the supreme court would
have worked a great hardship. Nearly
$4,000, 900 has been spent already - build
dams. ETC., and prepare to irrigate and
cultivate 10000, 900 acres under the exact
provisions of the Wright act. An ad-
verse decision would cause this money
to be lost.
On the other hand the favorable de-
cision will cause at least $4,000, 900 to be
spent for Improvement purposes.
UTAH PLEASED.
SALT LAKE, Utah, Nov. 1.-THE de-
,cision of the United States supreme
court, affirming the validity of the
Wright irrigation law in California, is
received here with much satisfaction.
Utah is divided into irrigation districts
by statute substantially on the same
plan as California by the Wright law,
the districts being granted like power
1t is expected that new life will be given
| by this decision to the work of irriga-
ton by public means in the distrits
! throughout the state.
STATE, POPULISTS