Arizona republican., 1899-11-03

canal companies operating in the val
ley, agreeing to supply them yearly
with impounded water sufficient in
quantity, when used with the normal
flow of the river. to irrigate all the
lands under the canals, estimated at
300 900 acres. 1t is understood that the
canal companies are to pay the reser-
vOir company 81 per acre per annum.
consider that the making of these
contracts marks one of the most i'm
portant steps possible to be taken to-
ward the solution of the water problem
so far as it affects the Salt River valley,
and assures the permanent and unre-
tarded prosperity of the valley from
the time the reservoir is finished. BY
this means an abundant supply of If
rigation water to the valley is assured,
since the lands already under irriga-
tion are to be supplied before the res
ervoir company undertakes the recla-
nation of lands under canals of its
own"
The subject of the cessiOn of the pub
lie lands is brought up again under the
subject of stock raising, in which at
tention is called to the conflicts be-
tween sheep and cattle interests. 1t is
pointed out that these conflicts could
be avoided if the lands were under the
control of the territory with a system
of leasing by which the ranges might
be given definite limits.
Allusion is made to the exemption
of the Santa Fe Pacific railroad from
taxation. In the act of congress
granting the Atlantic & Pacific
it's right of way exemption from
taxation was provided for. The
act was not quite clear on
this point and when towns began to be
established along the line of the rail-
road and the arid region traversed by
the railroad began to take on value,
a conflict arose between the territory
and the railroad on the subject of taxa
ton. There was an annual compro-
mise. the railroad submitting to a val
uation of $4,000 a mile. In 1898 the
matter came before the United States
supreme court, which decided that un-
der the act the railroad was free from
taxation upon its right of way, its road
bed. superstructures and all classes of
its property. The governor points out
that the act granting the right of way
contains a clause providing for its
amendment at any time and he urges
upon congress to make such amend
ment as will put upon the road its just
share of the burden of taxation.
The taxable property of the territory
is shown by returns from the counties
to be $50, 500, 320.29. while the governor
believes that the real value is not
short of s10O, 200. 600. The governor de-
plores a method of assessment which
makes so high a rate necessary and
hopes that the codifying commission
may offer a suggestion to the legisla-
ture by which this condition of things
may be removed and the subject of tax
alton made less uninviting.
The net Indebtedness of the territory
after deducting the county and mu-
nicipal indebtedness which has been
funded. is shown to be 81. 126, 2S4.71. The.
railroad development of the territory
is described and the number of miles
now in use is placed at lap.
a great deal of space is given to the
educational advancement of the terri
tory and particularly to the work of the
university and the normal schools.
There is also a complete description of
the public school system. Climate and
section. There is an interesting con-
tribution by superintendent S. NJ. Nc
Cowan on the subject of the Indians.
Several pages are devoted to the for
ests and the scenery of the territory.
The banks of the territory, both ma
tionaI and private, are shown to be in
q Furnishing condition and, in fact,
nothing of the territory worth mention
ing has been left unmentioned. Every
page is a reason why Arizona should
be admitted as a state.
Attention is directed to the evils of,
or rather an anomaly in. the territorial
judicial system under which a member
of the judiciary is at the same time
United States judge, d county judge
and a justice of the supreme court.
This is merely brought to the notice of
the secretary. but the creation of a
fifth judicial district is recommended
as we'll as an increase of the salaries
of the judges from $4,000 to $1,000. 1t
is also recommended that appropria-
ton be made by congress for the pay
ment of the salaries of the governor
and secretary.