Year: 1875

lue QueStlou lS dSheu, 10 ITTiSdCloH
healthy?" We will, in few words,
proceed to state again that under our
system 1t most certainly is not. If any
one will take the pains to examine our
zanjas when the water Is drawn off,
or when they are being cleaned out,
the pestiferous deposit Of decayed mat
ter the effluvia of sulphurated hydro
gen gas, will satisfy himself that were
1t not for our pure atmosphere re-
newed every second by our foreign
trade winds from the Pacific, how de-
structive it must be to animal econo.
my; besides this, the irrigators are not
compelled to provide their fields with
draining conduits at lower lands, as
10 the case In every other civilized
country, that boast not of a tithe of our
intelligence. The ground is supposed
to be surcharged with water, and in
all hollow places to remain in lagunas
and run off on the streets and high
ways, there to stagnate and fill the
air with noxious vapor, to say nothing
ofimpeding travel and discomforts.
Such practice in Italy and Spain
would Immediately be followed with
heavy fine, imprisonment, and in the
discretion of the Magistracy of Water,


incur forfeiture of water forever. Let
not our irrigators think because they
claim exclusive right to it from Spain
that they are free from laws that may
be passed by this Sovereign State, the
successor Of that power. This is the


law Of the case, and the practice is
still followed and adhered to. In
making grants, we do not thereby rest
in the grantee the right Of property in
water, but only the right to use it,
either in irrigation or for hydraulics.
The right of property shall remain as
heretofore among the rights appertain-
ing to the crown" This I fancy is
we'll understood by lawyers and Judges,
and will ere long be properly de-
fined by law, and future decisions.
The city of Los Angeles was regarded
as what are called associations or
communities, to whom certain rights
were conceded to be governed by such
laws and regulations as the sovereign
might impose. Our water districts on
every stream, with their local associa-
tions or Water Commissioners will
stand in the same light. The engi-
neering of our water supply has been
most thoroughly accomplished with
out costing the city copper cent.
The heights ascertained and even the
spots proper for reservoirs definitely
pointed out, anything new in that di-
rection will only be useless eXpend-
iture. What we want is money and a
practical man, like CHARLEY MILES,
to put the water in such conduits as
will avoid waste by absorption and
evaporation, have them so arranged
that they will run Summer, Winter,
Autumn and Spring, and with such
fall as will guarantee their cleaning
themselves. During the Winter
months the pipes will be constantly
occupied in filling reservoirs at higher
lands, to be called on when wanted,
and also filling reservoirs from here to
the sea. The rents will pay interest
on 81, 100000, If that amount be neces-
sary to put our water in condition to
yield Its full measure of usefulness.
Let these figures not frighten us. If
1t takes this, it will be the best invest
ment ever made. If we create wealth
we will have ships and railroads to
approach us to gather their stipends.
We will have people to abide with u.s.


We will have health, wealth and
prosperity, and the glory of setting
an example to the other communities
of the State. This is the question of
questions, and should be handled
and discussed In friendship and
GOODNESS, and let the views of
all be listened to with pa
thence, and when we have sufficient ly
discussed the matter In the press, let
us meet together In council and re-
solve intelligently what we shall do.