The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-01
WANTS DIRECT CESSlON
Gov. Murphy IntrOdyces Resoluti on
and Supports 1t.

Gov. Murphy Of Arizona introduced the
following which proposes that the Trans
Mississippi Congress ask the national con-
gress at Washington to cede arid lands
TO the state:
Whereas, The reclamation and devel-
opment of the arid lands Of the west IS
of the utmost Importance to the whole
country, which reclamation and develop
ment can be best accomplished through
state and territorial ownership and con-
troll; therefore, be it
Resolved, That the general government
should by congressional act relinquish
jurisdiction and ownership of the arid
lands and cede them to the states and
territories wherein they are situated. and
this congress requests the congress OF the
United States TO pass the proper act ced-
Ing the arid lands to the states and ter
ritories IN which they lie.'
Governor Murphy said the reason he
supports the direct cession by congress OF
the arid lands to the states and territories
wherein they are situated is because his
experience and acquaintance with the sub
tact has convinced him that cession IS
the only practical solution OF a very vexa-
tious problem. Congress will never ap-
propriate money in sufficient quantities
for reclamation purposes to be OF any ma
terial benefit to the localities most inter-
ested- 1t VIII require several hundred
millions Of dollars 10 provide for ali Of
the arid states and territories. and It
would be entirely unreasonable 70 expect
anything Of the kind. Again, II congress
were TO apply any such sum to the build
ing OF reservoirs and canals the general
government would Of course not only re-
tain control of the water systems but Of
the distribution Of water and lands taxed
within the states which would Involve
conflicts Of jurisdiction and endless cor
troversles. L takes the government as
rule half a dozen years 20 construct an
ordinary public building ard the ordinary
delays waiting for continuous a7propria-
tons would retard the growth OF the arid
country for many years. Congress has
struggled with the problem for many
years and the consensus Of opinion among
the best informed IS that the quickest and
best way IS 70 cede the lands and let
the states ard territories develop them
themselves II $50 Washington IoSby
tired the same thtng and added clause
q an appropriation bill authorizing the
survey by tie geological bureau Of rese-
voi- and canal sites ard Withdrawing al
the lands from entry under t5su pending
cons1r1ctton- THIS was al entering
wedge - induce congress 20 make large
continuous appropriations % he. expanded
uader the bureau Congress saw tar3u-n
the subteTfuge and refused - appropriate.
but g took four years - r~peai tzs act
ard eight years before t1s rese-Tgfr sites
we're finally ta-oza open - entry. TIE
same scaemsrs are a. work 1ew and 81
der the curse - beng sincere advocate
o. retaining these lands * federal aid
they are actually WORKING <c- "a psaces
n the expenditure q g5vernzes.; rnoasy.
should be glad n have fsisraI asd zn-
propTsatsd - Ire states ard territories to-
reclamation purposes Il !. were pcss.1.e
% get Il. but thers = 10 earthly -shgsS
for y. ard Z there were We are sas, Is