IRRIGATING INDIAN RESERVA- 

 TION. 



SPEECH BY HON. WILLIAM M. STEWART, OP 

 NEVADA, IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED 



STATES. 



The policy of irrigating Indian reservations for the benefit of 

 Indians is established. The only argument adduced against this 

 amendment arises from the fact that it may incidentally benefit white 

 men, and of course white men, if they live in the West, have no rights 

 which certain persons, whom I will not name, are disposed to respect. 

 In this same bill we find a provision for Indians: 



For construction of ditches and reservoirs, purchase and use of irrigating tools 

 and appliances, and purchase of water rights on Indian reservations, in the discre- 

 tion of the Secretary of the Interior and subject to his control, $100,000. 



It seems to me, when it is so clear from the conceded facts that 

 this reservoir ought to be built for the sole benefit of the Indians, that 

 it is a very poor reason for objecting to it that it will also enable some 

 white settlers to get homes. There will be more water in the reser- 

 voir than the Indians will need. This surplus water will irrigate 

 enough government land outside the Indian reservation to return the 

 whole cost of the reservoir. It will cost the Government nothing to 

 restore their water to the Indians. 



The only excuse they could find to delay building the reservoir for 

 the Indians is this scheme to put a pipe in the dry bed of the stream 

 and catch underflow. That has failed again and again. It is nothing 

 but a temporary makeshift. Everybody who has seen, those schemes 

 tried knows that. It is a waste of time to experiment with it. 



The little Indian inspector who wanted the handling of this money 

 is the only authority quoted by the Senator from Connecticut [Mr. 

 PLATT] against this proposed plan. They are always small when you 

 put them at great work. 



Mr. SPOONEK. Unless they agree with you. 



Mr. STEWART. Unless they agree with you. Of course that 

 would magnify them very much, because it would be some evidence 

 of good sense. 



Mr. SPOONER. Strong evidence. 



Mr. STEWART. This region of country where this reservoir is pro- 

 posed to be built is historic ground. Before any race which we now 

 know of inhabited that country large irrigation works were estab- 



