The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-06

dement, their cause by seeing to
it that it Is free from the east faint OF
excessive or reckless expenditure OF the
public moneys.
Whatever the nation does for the ex-
tension OF irrigation should harmonize
with. and tend to improve, the condi-
ton of those now living on irrigated
land We are not at starting point
Iof this development. Over two hun
Idred millions of private capital has al
ready been expended in the construc-
ton OF irrigation works. and many mil
lion acres Of arid land reclaimed. A
high degree OF enterprise and ability
has been shown In the work itself; but
as much cannot be said In reference to
the laws relating thereto. The security
and value Of b homes created depend
largely on the stability OF titles to
water: blu the majority of these rest
on the uncertain foundation of court
decisions rendered in ordinary suits at
law. With a few creditable exceptions.
the aired states lave failed to provide
for the certain and lust provision of
Istreams in times Of scarcity. Lax and
uncertain laws have made II impossible
to establish rights to water in excess
of actual uses or necessities, and many
streams have already passed into pri-
vate ownership, or a control equivalent
to ownership.
Whoever controls a stream practi-
lcally controls the and it renders pro-
lductive. and the doctrine of private
Ownership OF water apart from land
lcannot prevail without enduring wrong.
THE recognition of such ownership,
which has been permitted to grow up
in the aired regions. should give way
Ito a more enlightened and larger recog-
milton 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 a dry country.
In the aired states the only right to
water which should be recognized is
that Of use. In irrigation this right
should attach to the land reclaimed
and be i~nseparable therefrom. Grant
ing 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. A few of the western states
have already recognized this, and have
incorporated in their constitutions the
doctrine Of perpetual state ownership
Iof water.
The benefits which have followed the
unaided development of the past justify
the nations aid and cooperation in
the more difficult and important work
yet to be accomplished. Laws so vital
lly affecting homes as those which con-
troll the water supply will only be eff
Elective when they have the sanction of
the i~rrigators; reforms a only be final
and satisfactory when they come
through the enlightenment of the peo-
pie most concerned. The larger devel-
opment which national aid insures
should. however, awaken in every aird
state the determination to make it's ir-
irigation system equal in justice and eff
fectiveness that Of any country in the
civilized world. Nothing could be more
unwise than for isolated communities
to continue to learn everything exper-
mentally, instead of profiting by what
is already known elsewhere. We are
dealing with a new and momentous
Question, in the pregnant years while
institutions are forming, and what we
do will affect lot only the present but
future generations.
Our aim should be not simply to re-
lclaim the largest area of and and pro-
vide homes for the largest number OF
people but to create for this new in
Idustry the best possible social and in
ldustrial conditions; and this requires
that we not only understand the exist.
ing situation, but avail ourselves of the
best experience of the time in the solu.
ton of its problem. A careful study
lshould be made, both by the nation an6
the states, of the irrigation laws and
conditions here and abroad. Ultimately
lit will probably be necessary for the
nation to cooperate with the severa,
larid states in proportion as these states
by their legislation and administrator
show themselves fit to receive it.
Philippines end Porto Rico
In Hawaii our aim must be TO develor
the territory on the traditional Amer.
lican lines. We do not wish a region n
large estates titled by cheap labor; we
wish a healthy American community
of men who themselves till the farms
they own. All our legislation for thu
Islands should be shaped with this enc
lin view; the well-beIng of the average
lhome-maker must afford the true tesr
Iof the healthy development Of thu
islands. The land policy should as
NEARLY as possible be modelled on on
homestead system.
1t is a pleasure to say that it is hard
lly more necessary to report as to Porte
Rico than as to any state or territory
within continental limits. Thu
lisland is thriving as never before, anC
lit is being administered efficiently anC
honestly. Its people are now enjoying
liberty n order under the protection
Iof the United States. n upon this fac
I'VE congratulate them and ourselves
Their material welfare must be as care
fully and jealousy considered as tn.
welfare Of any other portion of oul
country. We have given them the grea
gift Of free access for their product!
to the markets of the United States
I ask the attention Of the congress t.
the need of legislation concerning tn,
public lands Of Porto Rico.
In Cuba's interest
In Cuba such progress has been mad.
toward putting the Independent gov
lernment Of the island upon a firm foot
ling that before the present session o
the congress closes his will be an &C
lcomplished fact. Cuba will hen star
las her own mistress: and to the beauti
lful Queen of the Antilles, as she un
folds this new page of her destiny, W.
jeXtend our heartiest greetings and gooC
wishes. Elsewhere I have discussed
1.-THE question of reciprocity. In the cas-,
Iof Cuba. however, there are weightI
Ireasons Of morality and of national in
l~terest why the policy should be held
Ito have a peculiar application, and
most earnestly ask our attention t,