The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-08-06
VOICE OF THE PRESS.
EXTRACTS FROM EDITORIAL
EXPRESSIONS.
State and Coast Opinions on Sub
jects Of Living News
Interest.

Humboldt Standard: The official fig
ures of the Geological Survey show
71,0OO,OOO acres of Unreasonable public
land in the so-called arid States for
which water supply is available for
which, not having been cropped, and
being rich in plant food and constitu-
ents is capable under irrigation of pro-
ducing enormous yields. Why are these
fine lands not irrigated? Because the
project is so vast that private capital
which, when it undertakes venture,
wants big returns-is not satisfied to
build great reservoirs and then sell the
lands made irrigable at a low rate
within the reach of the actual average
settler; and SO it refuses to embark on
the undertaking. This fact, that private
capital cannot generally make reser-
voir building pay, having already been
thoroughly established, then let the
Government step in and build storage
reservoirs, expanding money therefor
as for any other internal improvement
And yet, unlike other internal expendi-
lures, the cost of the work would come
back through the ready sale of the vast
area of it's public lands thus made de-
sirable for farming but which are now
Westerner wants the Government to do,
and this is what he needs to impress
vigorously upon his Senator and his
member of Congress.
JAMAICAN ANNEXATION.
San Diego Union: The present talk
in Jamaica, about annexation to the
United States, is by no mans new.
The islands affairs have been on the
down grade for years, and periodically,
when they reach an acute stage, an
nexation is suggested as the remedy
for the trouble. A year ago, under the
influence OF continued Industrial de-
preston, the Jamaicans seriously pro-
posed holding a plebiscite by which
they would request permission of the
British Parliament to arrange for an
nexation.
The events of the past year have only
served to strengthen the Jamaicans in
their desire. The island has had
hard times, there have been labor riots,
and the British Government has failed
to take any steps to relieve the indus
trial situation. Now comes the an
nouncement that the report of Sir
David Barbour, formerly the Financial
Minister of India, who has been max
ing a thorough investigation of the ISL
and's affairs, recommends that the
home Government advance a large sum
of money to the Jamaicans, but only
on the condition that they renounce the
measure of autonomy which they al
ready possess and accept imperial con-
troll This would be a backward step
for the islanders, and consequently the
annexation agitation is once more
growing strong.
CAPTAIN EVANS CONCERN.
Stockton Independent: Captain
Robeley D. Evans, who commanded the
battleship Iowa in the naval engage
ment off Santiago when Cervera's fleet
was DESTROYED, in a recent interview
by the Boston correspondent of the
New York Times" is reported to have
said:
That battle was fought from start
to finish on SIMPSONS plans. Had the
Admiral failed who would have been
blamed? He succeeded and all praise
belongs to him and should be his. They
say that he did not throw bouquets at
US. That was not what we were there
for. We were not looking for bouquets
but for Spaniards, and we got them.
That was all we wanted.
/ simply put the Iowa in where steam
would take her. I did not fire a gun
the gun-the jackie that handled it
that care. We officers were all of US
in the navy for life. and we knew that