TEE IRRIGATION AGE. 



How shall this be done? We answer by agitation; by making it a 

 political issue, incorporated in our platforms and proclaimed from the 

 rostrum. Let the state encourage the construction of ponds and 

 basins on the farm by a measure of tax exemption, or other reward to 

 the individual farmer. Let our representatives in Congress press 

 the matter of appropriation for the heavier work to a finish. 



It is a fact of mathematical demonstration that if fifty per cent, of 

 the enormous sums expended on the lower Mississippi (supplemented 

 by state and local aid) was diverted to restraining flood tides on the 

 water shed of arid regions, the flood disasters of the lower country 

 would be reduced to a minimum and the expense of repairs be corres- 

 pondingly lowered. 



That an effort to so divert and portion off the natural revenue 

 would encounter determined opposition on the part of contractors and 

 those who have profited and grown rich off flood disaster, is a foregone 

 conclusion. And the pessimist, appalled at the magnitude, the ex- 

 pense and opposition, will decide that the scheme of redemption is 

 impracticable and cannot be accomplished. 



But in the language of Daniel Webster on Bunker Hill when he 

 requested the marshall to keep back the crowd and received for an- 

 swer, "It cannot be done, it is impossible," exclaimed in lionion voice 

 "There is nothing impossible for Americans on Bunker Hill." So of 

 the giant West. There is nothing impossible when all unite on a great 

 economic question of national importance. 



We must agitate; we must agitate if we would escape the calamity 

 of protracted drouth and secure a maximum of agricultural results; or 

 must be content with doubtful results and conditions of uncertainty 

 that belong to lottery; either this or we must relegate to pastoral pur- 

 suits and sparce population the vast area of arid America. 



When the Grand Artificer of the universe carved out of chaos 

 this magnificent domain, there was no purpose to relegate it to the 

 Texas long horns and the festive cow-boy with a population of five or 

 ten to the square mile. But rather under a system of intense culture, 

 small holdings and irrigation to become the home of many millions of 

 happy prosperous people, working out the problem of civilization 

 along Christian lines of jurisprudence, as outlined by the great Master, 

 earnestly striving to eliminate crime, poverty and misery; to promote 

 virtue, thrift and happiness, until every heart shall throb with a di- 

 vine impulse, and everybody shall see, 



"Tongues in trees 

 Books in running brooks, 

 Sermons in stones 

 And good in everything. ' ' 



