will doubtless be visited by thousands who are now strangers to their curative powers. To secure to invalids the fullest possible benefit of these waters, without incurring those impositions which too often mark the possessory rights of monopolies, was doubtless one of the principal objects which prompted Congress to reserve from sale this reservation by the act of 1832, and to direct the permanent reservation of the mountain upon which the springs are located in the act of March 3, 1877.
The reservation of these springs by the United States imposes upon the government certain responsibilities which it cannot, or ought not avoid. A town, doubtless at no distant day to be a city, is growing up around the borders of this reserved tract, and entirely dependent upon it for its prosperity. Whatever can be done properly by the government to secure and retain the full benefit of the waters under its control for the use of the people and the preservation of other health auxiliaries which are now in its possession should not be overlooked. In my opinion, all the mountains within the four townships should be withdrawn from sale. Their only value is in the fine growth of timber which covers them, and this timber is needed to protect the valley of Hot Springs and adjoining lands from the fierce rays of the sun. It would be impossible to foretell the result which would follow the denuding of these mountains; certainly it would be most disastrous. It is the opinion of scientific men resident in the valley, and others who have considered the subject, that the wooded heights surrounding Hot Springs are of vital importance to the comfort and health of its inhabitants, and that the government could confer no greater boon on the town than to secure by reservation the forests which crown the mountains in their vicinity. In this opinion I fully concur, and recommend that authority be given for the withdrawal from sale of these mountain tracts.
Provision should also be made for the reservation of a tract from the unadjudicated lands sufficient for the erection of a hospital for the use of the Army and Navy. The importance of this will sooner or later be recognized, and the United States should retain, while it has the opportunity, the land necessary for the purpose.
Authority should also be given to reserve for the use of the town, as a public park, the land now occupied as a cemetery. To place this on the market for sale for business or speculative purposes would be repugnant to the people whose friends and kindred are buried within the inclosure. While the necessity exists for the removal of the cemetery from its present site, the location should be given to the town whose dead it contains, with such restrictions as would secure its use for a public park. A site should also be retained for the erection of a charity hospital, whenever private or State benevolence provides the funds necessary for the purpose. Hundreds of the afflicted poor yearly seek these waters as a last resort. Many become paupers on the town or depend upon private charity for their daily bread. What is now felt as
