The Florence tribune., 1900-04-28
THE TRrpUSE's ANSWER.
o. H. PLArr.


 It is admitted that the Government must either feed the Indians or fur nish them with water with which to irrigate their crops and become self. supporting. It is further admitted that the latter course is much the better, both from an economic and human itarian standpoint.
 The Pima Indians have an undoubted priority of right to the use of water in the Gila river, but the Government has allowed settlers on the public domain to establish their homes, requiring them to irrigate their fields before issuing patents under the desert land laws. Hence the Government is inn plicated in the wrong done the Indians by depriving them of what justly be- longs to them. The Pimas are peace able, law-abidiug and industrious class, always having lived in perfect harmony with their white neighbors, who are not disposed to see an injustice done them. These facts are all admitted. The proposition of bettering their con dition is of as much if not greater inter- est to us of the West as to you of the East. We want them to be kept peace able and to become more and more civilized. They are our neighbors and friends-why should we not?
 At the same time there should be no wrong done to the white man who has made his home and invested his all up- on the desert, under the pledge aud patent of the Government.
 Under the plans proposed by the engineers of the Geological Survey, Congress has an opportunity of right ing the wrong done the Indians by an appropriation of $1,O98,92 which would be returned to the Government tenfold, and the only stumbling block in the way seems to be the fear that g few white settlers may be benefited. That they would be, freely admit, for the water service at present is very unsatisfactory. But should such 8 question be allowed to stand in the way of great public necessity.
 There are less than ten thousand acres of land in the valley, owned by white men, upon which water would be required to be furnished from the proposed reservoir, an insignificant amount when it is considered that the dam at San Carlos would impound sufficient for 120,69S acres. Water for 20, 900 acres would be an abundance for the Indians, leaving 100, ,698 acres to be disposed of. And there is full y that amount of rich level land, abso- lutely owned by the Government Cess 10000 acres owned by individuals) which could be readily sold for $10 an acre with water-right, nearly sufficient to pay for the dam. The engineers have so reported, and their estimates are conservative.
 It requires congressional legislation to put the matter in shape, as it is a new question, just as the Cape Nome matter was, which came up in the Senate the other day, in which I notice you took part in the discussion. Hav- ing given the subject considerable at- tention, would suggest as basis of legislation, the following:
 l. The Government should build and own the dam as we'll as the canal leading to the reservation, which should be under the control of one of the irrigation engineers provided for by the last Indian appropriation bill 2. Tie Government land under the canal should be reserved and sold only to actual settlers in amounts of not more than 160 acres, carefully guard. 1 ing the transfer in order that it might not get into the hands of speculators. 8. The prior right of the Indians is conceded, and they should have the first use of the water to the full extent of the lands cultivated by them. The surplus, as suggested by yourself, to