The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-02
Subject of Irrigation.

Hon. Wesley A. stuart. Sturgis, S. D..
member of the executive committee OF the
Transmississippl Commercial Congress-
subject OF Irrigation IN the following let
ter:
First in the enumeration Of subjects
by Hon. Il. II. Moses IN the official call
that Will command the attention OF tho
IIansmississippl Congress TO convene at
Houston, April II TO II, is the subject OF
irrigation. Irrigation for the West and
Southwest is u conceded necessity. There
is no longer any quarrel over the proposi"
ton that water must be brought to our
arid lands or tho prospects OF the west.
Mississippi region are far from rosy. The
point upon which there Is division Ia the
means to be employed TO make our barren
lands productive aud hahitahle, and lho
two chief schools OF theorists may be
called the State cessionists and the Ma
tionalists. The former contend for cess
sion by the Nation to the states of all arid
lands. that the States may reclaim them.
and the latter THAI the reclamation of the
Nations arid lands is National problem.
After careful study OF the subject we sub
ecrihe ourself as disciple of the latter
school.
lne reclamation OF the vast arid areas
In the West and Southwest Is an UNDER
taking OF such magnitude that neither IN
dividual nor corporate enterprise can sue
cessfully cope with 1t. There is but one
right way, namely: the general govern
ment as part of its internal Improvement
policy, must, by Federal reservoirs. CON
serve the flood and waste water whore 1t
Is wanted and can be utilized, and thus,
not only save from destruction the proper
ty and people OF the South, whore thls
water is very curse, but make IL most
welcome blessing by covering what is now
n barren waste with endless fields of
waving grains.
III the water could follow the furrow"
upon every idle quarter section OF tho
National domain that Is irrlgahle tho
agricultural wealth OF the West would
soon equal, II not exceed that OF the East,
and, besides would have returned TO the
National treasury the cost OF her reclama-
ton.
In humanity's name ask why, as a
Nation, do we neglect these opportunities
within our home borders and waste our
substance In tho conquest of far off pos
sessions OF doubtful utility?
AS sit here in my little home in semi
arid South Dakota and think that but a
few miles In any direction from the
boundaries Of my city lie imnleasurable
tracts OF the richest land the suns rays
ever kissed, and into which our ever
hopeful farmers each spring place new
coed only to SEQ the budding grain wither
and die for want OF water In June; and
again, when also think that this needed
water has just slipped away from us. and
at this very time Will be spreading de-
etructlon aud ruin far and wide in tho
lower mississippi regions. I wonder to
myself how long will our servants in con-
gress suffer this state Of affairs to exist.
Mature is generous to man, but man
must do his part. In her bounty she glvoa
him limitless opportunities, but man must
work. Tho strain OF economic conditions
existing today could be greatly relieved
by Transforming arid America into many
thousands of happy homes surrounded by
certain crops, and within every farmers
cottage would dwell happy, grateful and
patriotic family.
Again, what would naturally follow as
an economic sequence? Manufacturing In
dustries in endless varieties would spring
up all over tho West; the railway mileage
would multiply each decade at geometrl-
cal ratio. Deep water for the South
would inevitably follow, and an Impera-
tive behest from the South and West
would be made and obeyed by our National
congress for an American merchant ma-i
rine to carry our products to every cline"