New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-02
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
NEW STATE BOUNDARIES.
Part of arizona North of Grand
CANON Should BE 1dded to Utah.
no the Editor OF The Tribune.

no the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: The prospect OF making State by CON-
bining she Territories OF New-Mexico and Arr
roma impels again TO call attention to the
cesirability ot separating from Arizona all that
portion lying north OF The Colorado River and
Joining Il to Utah. where it properly belongs.
Those familiar with the Grand Canyon Of the
Colorado know how absolutely the mighty gorge
ssolates this region from Arizona and how COM
pletely il geographically belongs to Utah. The
Grand Canyon and its upper continuation,
Marble Canyon. form together an unbroken
chasn nearly three hundred miles long. and
reaching maximum depth OF over five thousand
feet In this great distance there is not one
road by which the canyon may be crossed. In
tie vicinity OF the terminus OF the railway.
which reaches the rim on the south side.
two three horse trails have been worked down
10 the water. and one enterprising man has
made a connection with one of these trails on
the north side. by means Of which II is possible
20 reach the northern rim. but Il IS not an easy
proposition. Indeed, the great canyon is far
more OF barrier than any mountain range
could be. It has always therefore. seemed to
me that the sensible thing to do is TO unite the
struggling corner % Arizona TO Utah. which
would solve every difficulty.
The only objection to this have ever heard is
that Arizona % proud TO hold the entire canyon
within Its limits. but such purely sentimental
objection ought not TO count. The S1th parallel
was set as the boundary between Arizona and
T'taa before the exploration Of the Grand Can
yon. when its course and character were little
understood. From every practical point OF view
such a natural obstacle to transportation ought
10 be 1he political and geographical boundary.
likewise the San Juan River from the Colorado
State line westward ought 10 be the northern
hn.rr sG-rs hat r,osrf Of
similar 10 those stated above regarding the
Grand Canyon. for, while the san Juan can
gons are not so deep and forbidoing as the
Grand Canyon, they are nevertheless obstacles
10 transportation. Furthermore, II the geog-
rapty Of the region had been known when the
boundaries Of these territories were designated.
Green River and the Colorado would doubtless
have been named the western limit of the
State OF Colorado. This change cannot be
brought about now. vet south Of the mouth OF
the San Rafael branch Of Green River. Still
water and Cataract canyons are almost as great
an obstruction TO traffic and travel as the Grand
Canyon itself; and Glen Canyon, which nils the
intervening space Of 149 miles, is also con-
siderable interference
Eventually roads and bridges will be built
tut they are costly undertakings under the con-
6itions encountered there, and generations must
pass away before any considerable number are
constructed. unless the general government be-
comes Wildly generous. A RECONSIDERATION OF
the boundary lines Of these States. with changes,
where possible, TO suit the peculiar topography.
would seem 10 be not only desirable, but inn
,eratsve. In legal. political ana business mat
ters an immense amount of future tangle, ex-
ASPIRATION and Inconvenience would be pre-
vented by taking a rational view of this matter
In g distance OF nearly six hundred miles as the
river runs, I know of only one easy crossing
Lees Ferry-and in the East IL would be con-
sidered most difficult. deep and bridgeless as II
IS with more or less precarious ferryboat
AIRY who has traversed the river and the
surroundings I have done, must agree with
me In my belief that the boundaries should fol-
low these deep and at present wellnigh impas-
sable chasms. When the new State whose area
will be about Eve times that Of the great State
Of Pennsylvania is created It wifi be too late
90 alter boundaries. But IL can be done now.
culture generations will bless the act and the
Fisnt new State Will never miss that little piece
now left all alone out in the cold.
+. s DELIENBACGH.
New-Yorll March %. 1901