DEBATE OF DECEMBER 12, 1888.Question: "Resolved, That the government should build and supervise large irrigation works in the West."

Brief for the Affirmative.D. Fulcomer and R. C. Surbridge.

Best general references: H. R. Exece. Doc. 290, 43d Cong.; 1st Sess.; Sen. Exec. Doc. 94, 44th Cong., 1st Sess., p. 40, etc.

1. It would provide homes for millions of settlers. Desirable public lands are nearly gone.- Prof. Hart, in Journal of Economics, Jan., 1887; Maj. Powell, Cong. Record, Sept. 2, 1888, p. 9032.

2. Private enterprise is not sufficient. (a) Preliminary surveys and plans must be made on a national scale; (b) the systems of other countries must be investigated; (c) some canals hundreds of miles in length are required.- Cong. Record, Sept. 11, 1888, p. 9304; Science, Vol. IV. p. 166.

3. The system of corporation control is offensive to the people.- Sen. Mis. Doc. 15, p. 219, 50th Cong., 1st Sess. Ec. Engin. Mag., Vol. XVI., p. 80.

4. The water rent would more than pay for supervision and repairs. The British Indian works yield 7 per cent. profit.- Stewart's Irrigation, p. 174; Parlia. Papers, 1886, XLIX, 395, pp 50-52.

5. The experience of Italy, of England in India, etc., shows that this is the best system.- Cong. Record, Sept. 12, 1888, p. 9368.

6. It should not be turned over to the States. (a) The U. S. should keep the lands for the settlers; (b) it is an interstate affair, since the streams cross State boundaries.

7. It is constitutional: (a) Under Article 4, Sect. 3, and 2, it would perpare for sale millions of acres now valueless; under Art. I, Sect. 8. and 3, storage reservoirs would obviate the building of levees on the Mississippi; under Art. I, Sect 8 and 1, it would contribute to the general welfare of the country.

8. The West is entitled to large appropriations.- Cong. Record, July 31, 1888 p. 7727.

9. It would not interfere with private water rights, for the government would own the streams. The riparian doctrine is unsuited to the West.- Powell's Arid Regions of the West, pp. 40-43.

20. This is the best system for obviating litigation concerning water rights.- Cong. Record, July 31, 1888, p. 7729.

Brief for the Negative.