WM. H. BREWER. 39 



that in the future it will become more and more a resort 

 for people in pursuit of health, x)articularly those afflict- 

 ed with lung diseases or with any other ailment for 

 which a dry climate and elevated region are beneficial. 



There have of late been many statements made, coun- 

 tenancing the belief that the most of this country will 

 ultimately be occupied. I have no hopes of that what- 

 ever. Tire State of Nevada lies entirely within this 

 basin. It has now been a state more than twenty-five 

 years. It has had the most productive mines of this 

 century. It has an area of over 109,000 square 

 miles, more than twice as large as the whole State of 

 New York, and more than 20 times as large as the State 

 of Connecticut. Yet the population of that large State 

 to-day, as indicated by the recent census, is less than 

 40,000, less than the population of a fourth rate Eastern 

 town; and not only that, but less than it was ten years 

 ago, and it is probably still declining. Its wealth has 

 been in mines, not in agriculture. While I believe that 

 the population will again increase as irrigation comes 

 into use, I can never believe that any more than a com- 

 paratively sparse population will be supported in that 

 State. 



In summing up I may say, that while as a whole it 

 must always remain a relatively sparsely settled region, 

 the marvelous variety of scenery, the healthfulness of 

 its climate, the mineral wealth, the picturesque beauty 

 of portions of it, will combine to turn the feet of the 

 traveler in that direction. Persons in search of natural 

 beauties, unfamiliar in aspect and in kind to those of a 

 wetter region, may find there much to interest, the en- 

 terprising man will find much to encourage, and the 

 region will always be one of great interest, but a popu- 

 lous region as a whole it can never be. 



The following members were elected at the business 



