THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



205 



ured by those who seek for its favors and its treas- 

 ures. Undoubtedly it has yet sufficient within its 

 deep chambers to be instrumental in again revolu- 

 tionizing our finances, our business methods and the 

 morals of our Nation. 



To him, who may be an intending settler or home- 

 seeker that views this enchanting scene how great 

 will his astonishment be when informed that in the 

 range of his vision there lies dormant, awaiting his 

 peaceable conquest and possession, sufficient lands 

 to settle and plant over 50,000 families giving each 

 from eighty acres and over in the most fertile valleys 

 of the arid West; penetrated by railroads, where the 

 products of the farm and orchard are accessible to 

 the markets of the world. These lands which now 

 appear but deserts will be made to give place to gar- 

 dens, fruitful fields and smiling homes; where fami- 

 lies can be reared and educated, and where, all over 

 this vast domain, will be seen happy homes, and chil- 

 dren's songs be heard under their own " vine and fig- 

 tree;" where peace will dwell and where the bless- 

 ings of prosperity, enlightenment and joy will be se- 

 cured, and all this for a money value that is but 

 nominal. 



Yea, further, when these sons and daughters of 

 our "battle-born " State become the worthy success- 

 ors of that strong, brave and generous race which 

 preceded them a race that laid the wand of their 

 genius and power on every obstacle which beset their 

 path, melting it away by their touch, who blazed the 

 trails for civilization and smoothed the path for gen- 

 erations yet unborn, and in whose wake cities sprang 

 up as by enchantment, who reared temples for learn- 

 ing and religion, justice and industry, then the time 

 will have arrived tor the realization of our hopes, 

 and the memories of these brave men will be 

 embalmed with the bravest and sturdiest of pio- 

 neers who from a wild and forbidden country 

 created a sovereign State who came with " pluck '> 

 only for their capital, and from it hewed out and 

 embellished a Republic. 



While this spectacular view is sufficient to excite 

 the wonder and admiration of the naked eye, what 

 visions of wonderment are displayed to the prophetic 

 eye of the future! How entranced will the mind be- 

 become as this scene opens to view surrounded by 

 such gorgeous beauties and possibilities. 



At his feet is an empire in extent, lying almost 

 untouched by the hand of man its present develop- 

 ment but an iota its future possibilities incalculable. 

 Lying between the fertile valleys described are sit- 

 uated the rock-ribbed mountains seamed with pre- 

 cious metals. To the west lies like an amphitheater 

 the Sierra Nevadas with their untold treasures; which 

 if properly and judiciously conserved by man, would 

 transform this vast empire into prosperous communi- 



ties with fields of grain and golden harvests; where 

 here and there throughout, towns and cities would be 

 built, and manufacturing enterprises spring as if by 

 magic propelled by the energy of this conserved 

 power. 



With these prospects and untold future possibilities 

 before us, supplemented by a climate unsurpassed any- 

 where, whc can doubt the statement that they actually 

 exist? And yet how few are aware of it that here lies 

 such a vast territory of such fertility that here flows 

 sufficient water if conserved to produce such mighty 

 result, at such a low price, so accessible to markets 

 and our productions to it yet so limited. Who can 

 dispute that here lies a foundation for the upbuilding 

 of an intelligent people, a loyal, brave and patriotic 

 race! A people imbued with sturdy virtues, whose 

 impulses are so generous, whose deeds are so just 

 and whose lives so upright and pure that they will 

 some day rise and shine in their might and become 

 members of a sovereign State and of the brightest 

 stars in the constellation of the Union. 



All this with many other matters of interest, both 

 natural and historical, form but part of the attractions 

 to the visitor who comes to Carson City. 

 JOHN E. JONES, 



Member for Nevada. 



III. ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO. 



The Commercial Club of Albuquerque has ad- 

 dressed a communication to the National Committee 

 tendering the hospitalities of the people of New 

 Mexico to the next Irrigation Congress, in accordance 

 with the resolutions passed by the convention at 

 Deming last December. It is argued in favor of 

 Albuquerque that the location would be satisfactory to 

 New Mexico, Arizona, Kansas and Texas especially, 

 while it would be reasonably accessible to all other 

 parts of the arid region. New Mexico would be 

 greatly benefited by a convention of this character. ' 

 Strong influences are at work for Albuquerque. 



IV. BOISE, IDAHO. 



The press of Idaho has been agitating the feasi- 

 bility of obtaining the next congress for Boise for 

 some months past. Committeeman Babbitt has not 

 submitted a definite proposition, but it is probable 

 that Idaho would meet the terms offered elsewhere. 

 Idaho is one of the most interesting States in the 

 arid region, is rather centrally located, and would 

 repay a careful study on the part of the delegates. 

 Like Nevada and New Mexico, it would doubtless 

 realize substantial benefit from the session of the 

 congress. 



