Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-05-21
Temporary Organization Friction
Over the Opinions of Dele
gates.

irrigation as a permanent policy for California
and to cooperate with the pioneers of the pres
ent movement, assembled there and at Fresno
now it becomes my duty to call this Convention
to order, 10 the end that it may organize itself
and the people for the greatest public struggle
that has ever enlisted the popular energies of an
American State.
The two sovereignties which had lordship of
this soil before it came to us by conquest and
| treaty, each recognized the value and import
ance of useful appropriation of water to pro-
mote the fruitfulness of the soil Under Spanish
and Mexican law the greatest utility of our
streams had been recognized, though these Gov
ernments did not know, as we have learned by
experiment here, the magnificent results that
were TO follow the bringing of land and water
together Spain had learned of Saracen and
Moor the value of irrigation by the gardens it
created on her soil during the seven centuries
OF occupation. After they had made their last
stand al Granada and were routed at the PENN
sula, their hydraulic works were permitted to
fall into disuse and decay. The life giving
waters no longer conjured the latent generosity
OF the plains nor in tinkling fountains lulled
the MONDAY SHASTA. The irrigation lands were
given up for sheep walks, and in that industry
Spain sought to replace the profits that had been
borne by vineyard and orchard BY high breed
ing she produced the Merinos and set I'D a wool
staple 10 rival the Downs of England. But her
bleating flocks nibbling the scoIched heritage of
arid plains a sorry substitute for the happy
people whose toll had been made pastme by
the combination of land and water under
kindly sun At last IN Murcia, Valencia and
| Granada the broken hydraulic systems were
mended. After long divorce the land aud water
were welded again. and at once sprung up from
vine and tree the luscious fruits to celebrate the
marriage feast. The lands again reclaimed soon
| commanded an annual rental per acre, equal to
| the first cost OF non-irrigated lands adjoining.
| The t1ock-master gave way to the wine-presSer,
| to the merchant in rasins and oil and Spain
| had learned a lesson which she in turn taught
| to her colonies and people wherever her dis
| coveries and conquests brought them in contact
| with similar physical conditions.
We have gone through an almost similar ex-
perience in parts of this commonwealth, where
| fCcks and herds at least overran valleys and
mesas which a century ago had been irrigated
| by the Mission Fathers and the recent history
| of more than one COW county stands in testi-
mony TO the wisdom which here has at last
recognized the necessity Of usefuly appropriat
| ing the waters which have been running waste
fully TO the This principle of appropriation
first applied TO great, but necessarily tran
STORY, interest i'll the mines, and no one Ques-
toned use which the Courts made haste to
validate.
Now it is proposed to apply it to the perma-
nent interests of agriculture and horticulture
Whlch are enduring rs the physical necessities
OF man. and the Courts halt and hesitate, as is
their right and duty, if they discover grave
counterbalancing reasons which are worthy of
examination. But we must remember that legiS-
laticn Is in matter like this, the first resort Ofthe
people. When cur organic law and statutes are
brought into right relations with the conditions
OF cur growth and prosperity the people will
have guided the Courts to conclusion in har
mOny with the ovennaStering necessities of the
state Oar duty leads us to securing such con
ltlOlldl amendments ana legislation snail
put irrigation among the permanent policies of
the State. Applause There is no time for de-
lay. In the East f0rbidding Nature in rigorous
seasons and deathiy commissions OF the air is
warning people away, making them seek more
clement climate and greater certainties as re-
suits of their labor and industry. The continent
offers only one sure refuge from the extremes of
cold and heat, the destruction wrought by
storms, and the uncertainty of tickle seasons
and that refuge is here. Now is the accepted
time for California, and we are here to concert
measures that shall omen Ia II
settlement by the enterprising millions already
iuTed by our fame, and our duty is to protect
them in their homes when established.
The simple possession of the elements Of
greatness are valueless unless utilized by the
genius and enterprise OF man. Natures laws
wise and just measures. Natures God has
placed the land and water of this State to-
gether, and what, therefore, God hath joined
together, let no man put asunder." Applause.
He then introduced Rev. Charles Schil-
ling, of Los Angeles, who delivered brief
prayer.
COMMITTEE ON CREDENTIALS.
L. NJ. Holt, of San Bernardino, moved |
that a Committee on Credentials be ap- |
pointed to examine the credentials of del |
egates, and that each delegate be required |
to sign the articles promulgated by the |
Fresno Convention as the creed of the |
Convention.
Mr. Bird, of Yolo, objected to such |
pledge being exacted, on the ground that it |
only covered two cases of persons inter
ested in water.
Mr.. Kinney, of Los Angeles, offered as
substitute series of resolutions defining
the rights to water. -
Chairman Shorb suggested that ths
were proper to be presented to the COM
mittee on Resolutions but were not ger
name to Mr.. Hollis motion.
Senator Whitney, of Alameda, said he
hoped the Convention would not divide on
collateral questions likely 10 promote in
harmony, but confine itself to the business
in hand, which was to fight the ogre of
riparianism. He amended that a COM
mittee of three be appointed, to whom the
question of pledge should be referred.
Mr.. Bird, of Yolo, said there was a num-
Der of delegates who would refuse TO sign
the pledge proposed by Mr.. Holt
w. ID. English said it appeared that the
only delegates who would decline were
from Yoio, and he suggested that the Con-
veation go on with its business without
Yolo county.
J. i. Wharton, of Fresno, hoped the
pledge would be made wide enough to take
in every person interested in the subject of
irrigation. [Applause.l
f. c. MuHday, of Sonoma, thought the
only business IN order was the appoint
ment of Committee on Credentials to
whom the right of delegates to places on
the floor should be referred.
Chairman Shorb said the spirit of this
Convention was against the doctrine of
riparianism, and no man unless heart and
soul opposed to this doctrine was entitled
to participate in this Convention fAp-
plause.
Mr. Bird said he was opposed TO riparian
ism as much as anybody, but he repre-
SontaA 0iacc of daIorat toe al 90
that doctrine; but while they were all
anti-riparian, many were not appropri-
ators, and it was this class whose interests
he desired taken care of.
At the suggestion of a delegate the call
for the Convention was read, in order to
settle the right of certain delegates to places
on the floor.
Mr.. Holt said he moved that the articles
of the Fresno Convention be signed, in Or
der to exclude the riparian element from
the Convention. That was his object, and
if it could be reached in any other way he
was willing to amend his motion.
After some further discussion the matter
was settled by the adoption of motion to
appoint Committees on Credentials Per-
manent Organization and Resolutions.
The Chair appointed the following:
Committee on Credentials-L. NJ Holt !
of San Bernardino; B. Marks, of San
rranciscO, InOlndS Il. hughes, OF Fresno. |
On Resolutions-W. S Green. of Cousa: |
John P. Irish, of Mono: C. Mulholland, of
Inyo; Sol. Jewett, of Kern, and E. C. NJ. |
Munday, of Sonoma.
On Permanent Organization-J.F F. Whar- |
ton, of Fresno; NJ F. Taylor, of Kern
George C. Blanchard, of Ell Dorado; Mat
thew Gage, of San Bernardino; ]. P. DYER
of Alameda; J. L. Wilson, of Colusa H. |
C. Dibble, of San Francisco; William H. !
Hammond of Tulare: George F. Jacobs |
of Nevada w. G. Long, of Tuolumne; ]. |
r. Lowe, of Santa Clara
The Convention then took a recess until |
3 o'clock.
Afternoon Session.
[By Telegraph
SAN FRANCISCO, May 20th.-At the after |
noon session of the State Irrigation Con- |
vention, at the Occidental Hotel. the report |
of the Committee on Credentials relative to !
the delegates was accepted.
The Committee on Permanent Organiza- |
ton in their report, recommended the fol- |
lowing permanent officers which was |
adopted President. J. DeBarth Shorb, of !
Los Angeles Vice-Presidents, ]. +. Whar- |
ton. of Fresno w. S. Green, of Colusa r. |
Hudnut. of Kern L. B. Ruggles, of Tu- !
lare; E. r. Tucker, of Fresno L. t. Zoo |