The Florence tribune., 1899-11-18
POWER OF HE WEST.
Senator Carter Says Not a Cent Goes for Rivers and Harbors unless the
 West Cots Storage Reser-
voirs.


 Montana, President Reid introduced Senator Carter as one of the men who | has always recognized the justice of the claims of the West. Senator Car | ter expressed his regrets that he had | net been here all during the session of the congress, but explained it by stat ing he had been to California to well come regiment that in lo months had l engaged in Y battles and had never re- treated ali inch. It is a fact that the real fighting force of the volunteer army has come from the states West of the Mississippi. Senator Carter pre- sented the regrets of Governor Smith at his inability to be present.
 The question of irrigation, Senator Carter said, is not local one. It af- fects Massachusetts as much as it does Montana. All of the land that will produce crops without irrigation is taken up. There is no land left vacant but tim Der land and arid land. It is no longer possible for the poor emi- for himself It follows that capital must precede future settlement of the West. It means that the limit has been reached of the railway business and of development. It was thought a while ago that the solution of this problem lay in ceding the public lands to the several states. However, it soon became apparent that interstate diff culties would arise, and that lack of means on the part of states would pre- vent development. Then it was asked why should not the government store the waste waters of winter of use in the dry months. The question of con- stitutional right having been settled, there is no legal obstacle in the way of carrying out these plans. This part of the country is entitled to it's share of annual appropriations for river and harbor improvement. It so happens that in congress the states of the arid belt have the power to prevent any further appropriation of this kind un- less some part of it goes to the con- struetion of storage reservoirs at the headwaters of rivers. In this way the appropriation can oe compelled.
 In this connection occurs the ques- ton of market for our products. Mir. Carter tLen made an argument in favor of the Asiatic market that is de- yeloping for our benefit.
 "This will prevent opposition from the East, which is jealous of any de- velopment that will interfere with it's markets. Eastern manufacturers and shippers should be made to understand that we need their assistance and that success in this line means larger mar kets for their products. We do not ask this as suppliants, but as men demand ing our rights. If the arid states help pay for dredging harbors, the coast states should help to build reservoirs for us. The federal senate has a ma iority in favor of this work. The stub born opposition is in the lower house. It must be overcome, and it can be overcome by education and interesting the people who elect congressman.
 "One of the greatest benefits which | xrys11 f1 n1o # these now sterile plains is the fact that it will build up homes for thousands of sturdy, honest citizens, such as these Western states have sent to the war; men who can always be depended upon"
 Senator Carter expressed gratifca- tion over the fact that the next meet ing is to be held in Chicago. He re- peated the arguments advanced by the friends of Chicago at the meeting of the session and expressed the belief that this next meeting will be the last one that it will be necessary to hold in order to induce congress to undertake the work we have been urging for so long.
 Mir. Carter was greeted with repeated applause. Ex-Governor McCord of Arizona offered resolution of thanks to Senator Carter for his address and indorsing the work of Senators Carter, Warren, Shoup and other senators. This was adopted unanimously.
 George H. Maxwell moved that a vote of thanks be extended to Professor Newell, Professor Whitney, Professor Mead and others, who have interested themselves in irrigation sufficiently to come to this congress. This motion was carried without opposition. The congress then adjourned.
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