The Press., 1910-07-13
NRvApA To THR FRoNT.


 one who has been the length and breadth
 of 1t many times. Geographically the state is gFand pile of mountain ranges with, in many instances, barren valleys resting between. Death valley on the southwest, extending well Into the state of California. is, on an enlarged scale,
 typical of most of the valleys through out. the southern and central portions of tho state. Well towards the northern part the state has q few we'll watered stretches of land extending from six to fifteen miles in width between lofty bar ren mountain ranges. Very little vege
 tation is to be seen outside the extreme northern portion ofthe state. Irrigation and development of forestry following may, inltime, change the generalappear- ance and productive value of the whole state However, in g region whore the
 mercury is won't to climb to 130 in the sllade and range from no to IsO for days in succession 1t will take sometime to bring about tolerabIe and profitable con- Ciitions agFiculturally. An occasional cyclone glides down the valleys and en- Iivons interest for a few moments, pro- yided one survives the onslaught of the vast body ofwater delUged upon the bar ren wastes in flew moments. Whatever water falls disappears quickly and the hot and burning alkalisurface soon greets the eye and the alkali dust fills the throat, nose and eyes Occasional spots ofliving green are caught sight of as the cars speed their way across the burning sands. These are where some eastern man has ventured his savings and bored for water or conducted it down from some nearby mountain gorge. This body of earth called Nevada is practically con trolIed by few bankers, railroad men and gamblers citizens of California. The three classes not necessarily in any way connected. Nevada has taken the place ofTexas in being harbor of refuge for all sorts and conditions of so-called human beings. Probably no state in the Union. in proportion to the number of
 
 perate and despicable characters as Nevada. When one considers that tupon fair and honest census the whole state contains probably not more than two thirds as many people as the city of Springfield it is easy to realize how large proportion of mining, gambling, divorce and prize fighting community can be classed among undesirable citizens. And yet there are many people of high charac- ter within the borders of this state of vast and untold mineral wealth. Many ofthe once fourishing mining towns, or camps as they are here called, are but relics of former days. Like Rhyolite nine-tenths of the buildings are vacant and desolation is depressingly in evidence. Even once glorifed GoldfieId with it's costly city buildings, $35O, GOO, hotel and fine busi- ness blocks, has but fraction of it's once crowded population, vacant stores, aban- doned homes and thinly frequented streets mark the changed conditions. Reno, the notorious, almost alone among places of any size shows life, growth and progress Reno is beautiful city in it's setting and possible development; the Denver of the western slope and des- tined to be very important business center. Just at present the gambling fraternity are making the most of the time before the anti gambling laws get into effect. These laws pushed through by mistake will no doubt be either repeal ed or greatly modified at thenext session of the state legislature. The sentiment of a majority of the male portion of the state is strongly in favor of gambling being unrestricted, as at present. Reno has long line of fgambling dens, some of which are magnificently fitted and are in full swing night and day and for most part of the time are crowded with all kinds and classes of men. Bets are now taken as low as ten cents, and several places have from one hundred to one hundred and fifty players in attendance valley surrounded by grand mountain peaks 1900 to 25OO feet in height; many charming residences, fine business blocks, handsome churches and elegant hotels abound; fine concrete and iron bridges span the broad river flowing through the city; handsome and we'll equipped public library graces the city and makes for righteousness in 8 community sadly aR T1- miles away to the city lies one of the fin est farming regions in the United States
 Few states have better line of fine farms and farm buildings than those extending from the city line nearly twelve miles away towards Steamboat Springs. All about Reno are well watered valleys and rich farm lands while the mountains have but begun to yield their tokens of min eral wealth. The brutalizing influences of mining camp life accounts for the so- cial conditions of the state; child life has,
 until recently, had small part in the in huences making for wholesome ex- istence; coarse grained, intemperate men predominated in the pioneer work In the state; absolute women and un, scrupulous California politicians end gamblers have been quick to exploit the pioneers and encourage the wild and reckless spirit for selfish purposes. A better day will dawn, already there is g growing sentiment to remove from the state the odium of the divorce laws !: with the continuation of the Johnson Jeffries disgusting, degrading. brutality will spring up the seeds of g cleaner and better social condition. May be of slow growth but it will surely come. Just as the Mccarthy mayoraIity in SanF Francisco will mark the depth of the slough in that city and the next step be upward, though slight, 50 will the little body of people 00nafikV1fimw &hn atnta of Novoda m0vQ