Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-06-26
Some Extracts from The Public Journals
Of the State Showing the Spirit
Of the Press on Irrigation.
ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE RIVER
SIDE AND FRESNO IRRIGATION con-
vENTroN AND TO THE PEo-
PILE OF CALIFORNIA.
PILE or CALIFORNIA.

vENTfoN AND TO THE PEo-
PIE OF CALIFORNIA.
The undersigned, Executive Committee
Of the State Irrigation Convention, desire
TO submit a statement of their action TO
the constituents OF the above Conventions,
and to all people who have an interest
in the announcement of irrigation.
This committee was directed to frame
bills for laws to be acted on by the Legis-
lature. These we're TO remedy the evils
Of existing laws relating to the appropri-
alton OF water, and were intended to
place irrigation amongst the permanent
policies OF the State. To the support OF
these proposed legal reforms we sought
TO bring an intelligent public opinion,
fully aroused TO the importance OF this
question OF questions. The English COM
mon law doctrine OF riparian ownership
is repugnant and inappliable to the ply
steal conditions OF this State, because II
permits no use of water outside the banks
OF stream, unless by assent OF the
abutting owner. As the waters ore in
volume far beyond the possibility Of use
by him for any purpose, this doctrine
permits him to misrule them to waste in
the sea, while lands lie virgin which they
would rouse to such fruitfulness that a
less acreage than elsewhere in the whole
world would support family in affiuence
without extreme toll.
The bills drawn by this committee
were introduced in both branches of the
Legislature, and underwent refinement
and revision in the committees OF that
body.
Meantime the intelligent press Of the
State, alive to the justice OF our cause,
appreciating the necessity OF Legislation
TO put statute and natural law in har-
rnony, came to our assistance. The lead
ing journals Of San Francisco, realizing
that the highest interests OF that city i'm
pinge upon irrigation, made reiterated
appeals to the Legislature in our favor,
while the newspapers OF the interior, with
inconsiderable exceptions, aligned with
us and gave gallant battle for our propo-
sitions.
These united efforts in great and just
cause disclosed to the Legislature and the
people its relation to the prosperity OF
the whole State, and our reform was
proved TO be OF general utility and appli-
cation, and not local issue, exhausting
it's benefits in pent-up section. Con-
fidence in the merit and necessity OF our
projected legislation was diffused through
out the State, and was reflected in memo
rials and petitions to the Legislature.
Our thanks are due and are hereby
delivered in the nane OF those we repre-
sent to the press OF the State for the ser
vice SO generously volunteered and SO
efficiently rendered. 1t brought US near
TO success. The same assistance encour-
ages renewal of our efforts, with greater
energy and the benefit Of experience.
Preparation for the future is not complete
without the guidance afforded by the full
history Of what has been done. We adj
dressed the Legislature with review Of
our case, illuminated by extracts from
the press. The ninety days session was
drawing to q close. The few riparian
owners who oppose the usc OF water for
irrigation, controlling small minority in
the House, filiyustered to hinder there
the passage OF Jour bills but, when the
sinister arts OF delay had exhausted them
selves, our meaSures passed tho House
by more than y tbree-fourths vote, and
were sent to the Senate. There we had
two-thirds vote ready to be cast in our
favor II the measures could be reached.
The influence Of the dovernor's views,
so clearly expressed in} our favor, and
argued with unansweydble force in his
message, had been continually at work
upon the better judgment Of the Upper
tiOuht. Eout tHcfc dfdln niibuntcfifik ditu
all the resources OF Parliamentary imped-
imeBt were against us, aud the bil,s
failed.
The mistaken men, who were the
agent OF this misfortune 20 California,
should be marked and future confidence
be withheld from them when they ask
the votes OF irrigators to elevate them to
Office. Let them resort to the riparianists
for support. Let them depend for future
preferment upon the men who devote
our lands to barrenness and threaten
our State with decay. Let them, at least
until our rights arc entrenched in the
harmonies of law, human and divine,
suffer the consequences Of their malice or
their mistake
Here ends the history Of what has been
done. Here the account Of our steward
ship is rendered.
Now we turn to the future. We appeal
from filibustering minority Of the Sem
ate to the great people whose wishes are
soon to be reflected in the election Of a
new Legislature. We would have them
realize the necessity Of irrigation. The
benefits 1t has already showered upon
the State are inestimable, and the bless
ings yet to come from tho water are in
Vulnerable.
Great acres are already made fruitful,
and enterprising thousands under the
protection Of the doctrine Of appropriation
produce generous livelihood for them
selves and a great surplus for export,
which adds TO the common wealth.
Millions of dollars are invested in canals