The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-09-02

State, does 1t require? It would be ina]
|propriate for me at this time to go in,
details. am happy to know that thel
are those here who will ably and eloquen
ly present every phase Of these questions
None will doubt that these questions mus
be met by Congress and the several State
interested must contribute much legisls
ton.
The general government Is interested
a material way. for the reason that 1t own
most OF the land in the arid country an
under the existing settlement laws 1t wi
be many, many years before 1t can parct
| out these lands to actual settlers. The pol
icy of the nation has been progressive, an
wise has been that policy, to part with pub
| lie domain to those who wish to max
homes or improve the lands. as gift, o
for so small an amount as to scarcely pa.
the cost of surveying and the expenses o
the administration Of the land offices.
The question daily arises with the nation
| al legislators:
| "Is /, better for the nation to directl.
CATION canals, dams, reservoirs. etc., ant
then parcel out the LANDS 81 reclaimed ii
small tracts among those seeking homes
or is 1t better to cede the lands withou
restrictions or conditions directly TO thu
States in which they are situated: or is Il
wiser to pass laws with restrictions ant
conditions, but such as will encourage TIT
individual and the corporation TO undertake
the work of reclamation?
Much may be said in support OF each OF
these propositions. They are now live
questions and are pressing themselves up
on the consideration of the Congress OF
the nation.
The individual and the corporation are
at work. Much has been accomplished
under the Desert Land law. Wyoming,
Utah and Montana are awaiting themselves
of the millionaire donation act.
With the revival of bushes. increased
interest will be taken in this law. The
individual State is passing useful laws
bearing upon the apportlonment of the
water and the settlement Of disputes there
under.
While much has been done, commence
ment has scarcely been made. The popula-
ton OF the country west Of the Missouri
river has grown very rapidly. In a COM
paratively few years 1t has increased sew
eral hundred per cent. There is no doubt
the future as 1t has in the past few years.
1, is estimated that the population west CT
the Missouri river will reach 13,0000 900 peo-
Pile by the time of the taking of the census
OF 1900. This is government Of the peo-
pie and the nation must be at all times
most deeply concerned for the increase
that annually takes place In Its popula-
ton. The nation, do not think, will be-
lie Its record; it will meet the obstacles
and remove them. The lands which do not
require irrigation are nearly all occupied.
To make room for the increase and influx
Of population, mammoth irrigation works
must be constructed. The great countries
until recently unoccupied gave by rowing
bands Of Indians and a few mining settle
ments, is now we'll traversed by railroad
lines and amo' them are great continental
roads. On THESE railroads. every few
miles. are young cities, towns and vii
lagos, made and inhabited by enterprising
people. These people are not contented
to stand still; they are among the most
progressive people of the most progressive
nation on the face of the globe; they ar.
willing to venture and take chances; the
country Whereabouts. wherever 1t is pos
sible, is being rapidly occupied by the
ranchman and farmer. These enterprising
people are urging the necessities of such
legislation as they believe Is best adapted
to the conditions as they are now found in
these States and Territories.
These questions are comparatively new
ones to the people Of the United States
But small number Of those who make
the laws or administer them, have ever
cti
experiments made through this system OF
the cultivation Of the soil. Indeed, until
the Mormon people began to make homes
in the Salt Lake basin, irrigation had not
been undertaken by any considerable num-
Der of people under the Jurisdiction Of this
nation. The country in which we live WAS
looked upon as a great barren waste that
would never be occupied by civilized man
We who have experienced and cultivated
the soil in any one of the arid States or
Territories may to some extent measure
the possibilities of the country which was
considered SO barren and worthless for
purposes of cultivation a few years ago.
There is none of the territory west of the
Missouri river but what has within its
borders great irrigation plants, great and
small fields in bearing, which would be
deserted save and except for the irriga tin g
ditch and canal, which have reclaimed
them from a most unproductive condition
to one Of great fertility.
When we speak therefore Of the fertility
Of these States, we only assert what we
know-that the broad acres which will be
cultivated will be enumerated by the mil
lion and that their numbers will only be
limited by the supply OF water that may
be made available.
In some of the States the total acreage
that may be reclaimed may be but a small
percentage of the total area. yet the small
acreage, comparatively, brought under the
control of the hus sandman will be suffi-
cient to bring about the development of
other great natural resources, other thu n
those of agriculture, thereby building up
communities of varied Industries and pro-
viding for thousands upon thousands Of
American citizens.
The country described has every variety
Of climate within its confines; the fruits
Of the tropics and the cereals common 20
the extreme temperate zones are success
fully cultivated and nurtured. The country
is rich in cattle, horses and sheep and other
domestic animals common to the homo and
farm. The natural grasses are very nu-
tritious, but short and scattered, the soil
producing them only requiring water 10
the forage tonnage tenfold.
Much of the country is rich in minerals
Within its borders have been discovered
most of the minerals known to civilized
men. In some of these States and Terri
tories great development has been made
in gold, silver, copper, lead, coal, iroE,