Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-08-20

Hon. W.. j. Bryan, ex-congressman Of
Nebraska, and aggressive champion o.
the silver cause, who visited Eddy ant
Roswell in the month of January, this
year, where he eloquently and convinc
ingly expounded the doctrine of bimetal
lism, was especially attracted by tht
grand work accomplished here, evidences
of which we're to be seen on every hand
He welcomed every opportunity for in
spection and WAS very warm in his ex
pressions of commentator. The opin
ion Of Mr.. Bryan is especially desirable
and authentic, emanating, as it does, from
a parsonage made competent by exhaus
tive ira, el and close observation.
He willingly made the following state
ment just before he left the valley:
II am very glad, indeed, to have seen
the Pecos valley. l had heard of the de.
| velopment of the resources of the valley
before entering New Mexico, and at all
the places visited after coming into the
territory. You certainly have great pos
sibilities. have seen more of the
country about Eddy than about Roswell,
owing to the fact that my stay in Ros-
we'll was very brief. l was very much
surprised at the magnitude of the plans
of the irrigation company. They surpass
in scope anything that have ever heard
or read of, and as far as can Judge they
are perfect in every detail. One must ad.
mire the genius which has conceived and
the energy which has carried ont these
plans.
"The land about Roswell has been
longer in cultivation and shows what can
be accomplished, with time and exper.
ienoe all along the valley. The display
of fruits and vegetables, together with
other products of the valley, has to be
seen to be appreciated. They car not be
described to person who has not act.
ually seen what has been grown here.
"The subject of irrigation is of grow
ing importance all over the United States,
and in my own state, Nebraska. When
there was plenty of land which could be
taken up and cultivated by natural rain
fall, irrigation was little thought of, but
| now, when the desirable land is about all
gone, the reclamation Of arid land is be-
coming a matter of much important -, :.
have been especially interested in 9 of,ns y
phase of the subject. In my Judgment
the strength of nation lies largely in
it's agricultural population, and lrriga-
ton gives an opportunity for the de-
velopment of the very highest class of
agriculturists. The crop is certain where
irrigation is practiced, and small area
of land is far more productive than when
depending upon capricious rainfall. This
invites small holdings, and farmers live
near together, 80 that their children can
have the advantage of social life, and at
the same time enjoy superior school ad-
farmers live long distances apart.
~ have been pleased to note the high
standard of intelligence among your peo-
pie, and I expect to see that standard
raised as the valley becomes more thickly
populated. Eddy and Roswell are fully
up to their surroundings and may be ex-
pected to improve as the valley i'm
proves. Your climate is one of your
great advantages, and, while I do not care
to make any comparison with other
health resorts, have no doubt in my
mind that before long this valley, with
its bracing air and mild winters, will
become a sanitarium for those afflicted
with the various forms of lung complaint.
Your latitude protects you against the
rigor of winter, while your altitude
guards you from excessive summer heat
When New Mexico finally attains her
statehood, which hope will be before
long, great impetus will be given i'm
migration in this direction.
"Taking my visit as whole, consider
ing the lands and products have seen,
the magnitude of the water supply and
all other features here, have no hesita-
tion in stating that the Pecos valley
should attract thousands of thrifty farm
ers from the thickly settled north and
east."-Eddy Argus.