Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1900-01-26
DIR. sruBB.s ADDRESS.

Government lie said in part.
Il wish TO acknowledge the honor
which you have conferred upon the
wealth aud the State Univer.
sity Of Nevada in Your invitation to
me to speak upon the broad and i'm.
p~ortant subject What Stockmeu OF
the West and South Demand Of the
Federal Government A college
president may feel at home in tins
large convention OF men who are
making more secure the foundation
OF national prosperity by creating
and distributing wealth through one
Of the greatest and most valuable
pursuits. You are the representa-
atives OF men who, following the star
Of empire on its westward course. are
seeking to solve some Of the nations
problems-meu who have been and
are anticipating in their work the
day when western valleys and noun
tains will pay a glorious tribute to
your energy, skill and foresight.
what do the stccl.asa C the Yves:
and South demand of the Federal
government The question implies
that the stockmcn OF the South and
West have problems to solve and dit.
ticulties to meet that cannot he solved
and cannot be overcome except by
corporation OF the power and wealth
OF the Federal government. That it
is both the right and the duty OF the
Federal government to aid in build.
ing up the commerce, the Industries
and the agriculture u the nation,
where such aid is necessary, III no
longer open to argument. Annual
appropriations for the improvement
OF the harbors and rivers OF the State
and nation are the governments con-
tributions to the promotion OF inter.
nal and foreign commerce. Lsgisla-
ton that establishes a protective tar
i'll IN favor OF various manufacturing
industries is a recognition OF an es-
tablished principle under the Consti
tuition OF the United States. Our
common domain is so extensive,
north, and south, east and west and
so varied that there are some prob
lens concerning one part Of our do
main which do not at first seen to
interest the other sections. neverthe.
less, further reflection shows that the
problems OF one section, satisfactory
ly solved, do III the end, promote the
welfare OF all parts Of the country.
at seems to me that the stockmen
OF the South and West may justly
ask at the hands Of the Federal gov
eminent aid in carrying out the plans
for the conservation and distribution
OF tlood-waters throughout the semi
arid States end territories Of the
West and south. The demand is just
as strong from the stockgrower OF
this vast empire State OF Texas as il
is from the stockgrower OF Nevada, OF
California or Utah. We know that
lin all these States and territories
there goes to waste annually. during
the flood seasOn Of the year, when the
SHOWS are melting upon the noun.
tains aud the streams are RUNNING
bank full, water sufficient to keep
fertile and productive millions Of
acres Of land throughout the dry sens,
on OF the year.
@The expense OF building storage
reservoirs in the canyons and noun
tains for tho conservation OF the flood
waters ia too great to be borne by the
State alone, while the results are
national in the benefits. There is no
argument that a be made for the
improvement OF harbors and rivers
that does not apply with wise dis.
elimination to the reclamation OF
millions OF acres OF land in the grid
South and Yves: by means OF the stor.
age and distribution OF tho flood wat.
ers md irrigation.
"T1e question OF irrigation is not a
local one. 1t effects Ohio MS much as
Nevada. Nearly all the land that will
produce crops without irrigation is
taken up. Only timber lands and
arid lands are left vacant. Future
settlements in the west depend upon
the investment OF money by the GOV.
eminent rs we'll IA the individual to
provide permanent reservoirs und
bitches for storage and distribution
OF water.
awe do not ask that the Federal
government shall undertake my ex-
t%ravagant system OF public works in
these arid Safes, but simply here and
there, should in typical localities
mako n moderate beginning OF the
system oi water storage which III tho
years to como will expand into a
great interstate system of works tina.
will reclaim extensive tracts OF land
for tho use OF the stoCkman and the
farmer, and make possible Il steady
Immigration into these semi.arid
States OF a population that will add
to the prosperity Of tho nation in limo
OF peace and to her strength in time
OF war.
az second demand Tint tho stock.
men OF the South and West may
make at the hands Of the Federal
government 10 that tho public grazing
lnnnn nhnll hn lnnnnl nnl IlnI Il,n