THE IRRIGATION AGE. 319 



providing the owers would exchange them. I know that the railroad 

 attorneys and the representatives of the government are now trying 

 to frame a bill whereby each can relinquish to the other lands within 

 the grant so that the government can control this very reserve ques 

 tion. This is a difficult kind of legislation, and whether or not it 

 would result in any better protection of the water shed I do not pre- 

 tend to say. The people will find that the commissioners lately ap- 

 pointed to investigate the subject in controversy will make an ex- 

 haustive and impartial examination and will give every locality and 

 interest equal consideration. The plan adopted is in my opinion the 

 only way to reach correct conclusions and form a basis for effective 

 action, and I believe the citizens of this valley should help the com- 

 mission and prepare such data as they are able to obtain and investi- 

 gate the subject thoroughly themselves through an appropriate com- 

 mittee, and not jump at conclusions nor accept hearsay testimony. 

 Political conventiens and resolutions controlled by imaginary local 

 interests and not based upon actually demonstrated facts cannot have 

 the slightest effect upon the government's action in the premises. 

 Many of our people are alarmed and acting upon their honest convic- 

 tions. They are fair-minded men, however, and will not countenance 

 manifest injustice. There is a selfish element, also, a hasty and su- 

 perficial class, and worse than all, some curb-stone statesmen and 

 strife breeders, who thrive on agitation. I believe the people should 

 be conservative and deliberate, investigate the matter thoroughly and 

 I am sure if it is found that grazing upon that portion of the northern 

 forests which sheds into this valley affects the water supply of the 

 farmers here, that all live stock will be promptly excluded from that 

 region so far as the government has power, and I will do all I can to 

 have such a result accomplished. I have been repeatedly misrepre- 

 sented on these questions, and, as I have previously stated, I have not 

 the slightest personal nor sectional interest. I wish to serve the 

 people of the territory impartially and no amount of misrepresenta 

 tion will cause me to swerve a hair's breadth from what I consider to 

 be my duty. Arizona Republican. 



