, 1901-01-29

with its population, as well supplied
with public buildings. This state cap
itol, in which we are assembled, and
all the state buildings as well. are or
namental, durable and convenient. All
built without a dollar wasted or adollar
stolen.
ITO be able to say that in all the
history of the states finances there
has w been a case of p%ecuiation or
fraud, or default Of payment of princi-
pie or interest; that Il public affairs
have been wisely and honestly han
died; that our methods of keeping pub
lie accounts are a model for the richer
and older states; and that this ON
monwealth is the exemplar, all others
following is in II mode of accounts
and examinations, makes Il Wyoming
man proud of his state and of his peo-
pie, no matter where he may be.
1T is supremacy gratifying that our
state administrations have won and
held the respect of our n%eighbors and
Of all who come in contact with us, in
business, social or administrative mat
tiers. We are proud of the head of our
present state government for the bus,.
ness administration he is giving us at
home, and the distinction and honor
he brings us from abroad. And We are
proud of the high standing of our
courts, and of the ability and excel
lence of the Wyoming bar.
1--WE have cause for congratulation
because of the efficient manner in
which our state has fulfilled the obi
cations imposed upon her in the var
ious grants of land. Our rent rolls aid
materially in supporting Jul schools
and state institutions, and Wyoming is
furnishing an object lesson which
should convince the country that the
arid states are capable of owning and
utilizing judiciously the public lands
within their borders. Our state is to
be commended because she has taken
the lead in the land reclamation. Ours
is the first state that has taken advant-
age of the Carey land act and made an
effort to honestly reclaim public lands
for the benefit Of settlers. And not
only has Wyoming taken the lead, but
the important features of her laws for
carrying the Carey act into effect have
since been Incorporated into the laws of
Colorado, Utah and Idaho. (Applause.)
I'VE of Wyoming have come to be
proud of the good showing of Jul citi-
zens who have been placed by the gov
eminent in positions of responsibility
and trust, in this state and outside of
it. The energy. ability and hard work
Of II former chief justice and ex-state
governor and other ex-state and ex-
municipal officials nov transferred to
government service, has attracted the
attention and commendation of those
high in the councils of the nation. At
home and abroad our Wyoming citizsns
in public office have the reputation of
performing faithful, honest work, and
our state can we'll be proud of them
and the record they are making.
THAT soldiers should win honor
for themselves and Wyoming in the
far distant Philippines is no more than
was expected; but it is to the credit of
the state that it was not unmindful of
their service but looked after their
comfort when departing, and brought
them home in a name BETTING a pa
triotic and grateful people, and is now
preparing to preserve for succeeding
generations the record of their achieve
ments in a beautiful monument of en-
during marble and imperishable
bronze. (Applause.)
The most gratifying feature of all
is, that there was never a time in the
past when the reputation or prospects
of the state were equal to the present.
Yet with it all, there remains more to
be done. The task before the people Of
Wyoming is development We have the
raw material out of which to create a
great and %populous state. The open
ing year of the twentieth century finds
us with about one person to each
square mile. If we can increase it to
ten persons to each square mile, we
will have nearly a million people.
There are irrigated districts which
now support nearly GOO people to the
square mile, and there are parts of our
neighboring state, Utah, where the av-
erage is 300 people to each section of
irrigated land. In some way we must
provide canals to distribute the waters
Of the large rivers. There is a quarter
Of a millions acres of fertile land to be
irrigated on west side of Green river;
a duplicate and larger wheatland col
ony ought to be planted in Goshen
Hole; the fertile soil and mild climate
Of the Big Horn basin must be put to
use through the agency of other and
larger canals from the Big Horn, Sho-
shone and other streams. The com
pletion of a half dozen canals In the
state which have already been survey
ed and which are known to be feasible,
will add a million acres of farming
land and double our present popula-
ton. In some way this must be
brought about. Where reservoirs are
needed they must be built, and for this
government aid, either through dona-