The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-12-04

land II renders productive and doctrine of private
ownership OF water apart from land cannot prevail
without causing enduring wrong. The recognition of
"uch ownership. which has been permitted to grow
III, IN the arid regions, should give way to more en-
Ehtred and larger recognition of the rights OF the
public in the control and disposal of the public water
supplies Laws founded upon conditions obtaining In
humid regions where water is too abundant to justify
boarding IT, have no proper application in dry coun
try,
IN the arid states the only right to water which
should he recognized Is that of In irrigation hs
right should attach to the land reclaimed and he In
sepntabc therefrom. Granting perpetual water rights
to others than users. without compensation to the
public. is open to all the objections which apply to
giving away perpetual franchises to the public utilities
Of cities. few Of the western states have already
recognized this and have Incorporated in their con-
sttutions the doctrine of perpetual state ownership
of water.
The benefits which have followed the unaided de-
velopmont of the past Justify the nations aid and co..
operation in the more difficult and important work vet
I" be accomplished. Laws vitallv affecting homes
az those which control the water supply will only he
effective when they have the sanction of the rriga
tors: reforms only be final and satisfactory when
they come through the enlightenment of the people
most concerned. The larger development which ma
toha aid insrres should, however. awaken in every
arid state the determination to make its irrigation
system equal in justice and effectiveness that OF
country in the civilized world Nothing could be more
unwise than for isolated communities to continue to
learn everything cxperimentay. instead Of proitng
by what is already known elsewhere. We are dealing
with new and momentous question. in the pregnant
years while institutions are forming and what do
will affect only the present but future generations.
Our aim should he not simply to reclaim the larS-
est area of land and provide homes for the largest
number of people, but to create for this industry
tho best possible social and Industrial conditions: ana
this requires that not only understand the existing
situation but avail ourselves of the best experience Of
the time in the solution of its problems. A careful
study should be made. both by the nation and the
states of the irrigation laws and conditions here and
abroad. Ultimately it will probably be necessary for
the nation to cooperate with tho several arid states in
proportion these by their legislation and ad
minstration show themselves fit to receive it.
Hawaii, Porto In Hawaii aim must be to de-
Rico, Cuba. velop the territory the trad-
tona American lines. We do not
"-l region of large estates titled by cheap labor:
wish healthy American community OF men who
themselves till the farms they own. All our legsln
tion for the islands should be shaped with this end
in view: the well-beng of the average home maker
must afford the true test of the healthy development
OF the islands The land policy should nearly as
possible be modelled homestead system.
1t is pleasure to that 1t Is hardly more neces
sary to report Porto Rico than to any state
territory within continental limits. The island
is thriving before, and II is being admins
tered efficiently and honestly. Its people
ioyng liberty and order under the protection Of the
United States, and upon this fact we congratulate"
them and ourselves. Their material welfare must he
carefully and jeaously considered the welfare of
them the great gift of free for their products
to the markets of the United States. | ask the at
tention of the TO the need of legislation
cerning the public lands of Porto Rico.
In Cuba such progress has been made toward put
ting the independent government of the island upon
firm footing that before the present session of the
congress closes this will be accomplished fact
Cuba will then start as her mistress; and to the
beautiful Queen of the Antilles she unfolds this
page of her destiny. extend heartest
greetings and good wishes Elsewhere | have dis
cussed the question of reciprocity. In the case Of
Cuba, however, there weghty of morality
and of national interest why the policy should be held
to have peculiar application. and ] earnestly
ask your attention to the wisdom, indeed to the vital
need, of providing for substantial reduction in tn,
tariff duties Cuban imports into the United States
cuba has in her constitution affirmed what desired
that she should stand in International matters in
closer and more friendly relations with us than with
any other power: and bound by every consid-
GRAFTON of honor and eNpodiency to pass commercial
measures in the interest of her material well-Deng.