Arizona republican., 1903-06-07

Never since the wrestipg. of the Salt River valley from the hand of the sav- age thirty-five years ago and its dedi- cation to the purpose of homes for highly civilized and progressive people. has the benediction of the evening sun fallen on so happy and hopeful citi- zenship as sought their couches last night to dream of the dawning of un- equaled prosperity. The mass meeting held at the court house plaza yester- day afternoon was attended by an as semblage notable both in point of num- bers and in personnel. There were many women present for the question Of water storage concerns them equally with the men. The movement has reached a stage vital to the home. It has become a question of happiness and prosperity on the one hand or on the other an exodus from the promised land. The announcement by B. A. Fowler that 105. 900 acres of land had been signed to the articles of the Wat CT Users association was met with Vociferous applause and the almost universal sentiment expressed during the rest of the afternoon warranted the general feeling that within week sufficient of the remaining unsigned land would be signed to guarantee a favorable decision on the part of the secretary of the interior and bring from that officia! the positive declara- tion that the Tonto reservoir will be built
 The early part of the meeting was devoted to speechmaking by farmers who had lately been converted to the cause and had signed their land. laying aside all bubbles and details for which they had Contended. resting their cause with Implicit trust in the honor able representatives of the greatest ana the fairest government that was ever founded by man and preserved and protected by human blood and sacrifice. Mir. Fowler spoke briefly. reading letters and telegrams vitally pertinent to the case and with some comment upon them.
 The meeting having reached a period or the greatest enthusiasm through the testimony Of those who until recently have been holding aloof from the movement If not actually blocking it. the audience called upon MT. Maxwell ana on his rising greeted him with Ie-echoing ovation. It is ones impulse
 
 speech of his life, but he has made so many good speeches that the term seems hackneyed. But certain if is that he never addressed an audience more thoroughly en rapport with his own feelings and he never acquitted himselt more satisfactorily. The secret Of 1t was that he was not irving to ac- quit himself. He was only trying to 1lnhurdpn from a f,,II in mental soil that had been most care Fully prepared. ideas that spontaneous ly welled from a brain trained as that or no other man has been on the slIb ject under consid tion. He needed no notes. needed nothing to guide him but his impulses while his magnificent voice rang out through the trees and over the green lawns in finely worded periods and with irresistible force. How we'll he improved this opportuni- ty for heart to heart talk was shown by the fact that during his speech he was wildly applauded and at the close of the meeting it was half hour be- fore he could tear himself away from the scores of friends who Hooked to the platform to congratulate him. Max well was no novelty but his talk was inspiration.
 Following him came short speeches from more farmers and after that Dwight B. Heard was called to the platform He presented seriatum score of questions directed to MT Max