Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1889-12-21
Object of the Visit of Northern
Pacific Official to Washing
ton at This Time.
National Aid to Be Solicited Tor
the Purpose OF Promoting
Needed Irrigation.
The Northern Pacific Railroad to
Guarantee the Bonds Of Any
Irrigation Company.
Representatives of Western ana
Northwestern States VIII Fun
Together in Congress

A special telegram says there mas oeen
more or less speculation ia Washington as
to the object OF the Northern Pacific OFF,
Gals in Washington at the present time.
On the 7th inst. Messrs. Cakes, McNalgh
ton and Hannaiord gave dinner TO the
new state and Minnesota members. It 10
a fact that one or two stayed away be
cause they we're not aware OF the OBJECT OF
the gathering and because sneer ID ever
cast upon the member who is supposed to
be too friendly with the railroad officials
The Northern Pacific officials explained
what they were doing here and have
met with the hearty co-ope alton
OF all the new state senator and
representatives Their road travers
es a country which is in more need OF lril-
CATION than almost any other section.
In each OF the legislatures OF the new
states a bill has or will be introduced
authorizing the Northern Pacific railroad
to guarantee the bonds OF any lrrlgatlng
company that may be organized Tor the
lands or furnishing settlers with water
But before any such scheme as that is
nut in operation, the officials OF the road
have determined to make a great effort to
secure government aid first, and state aid
if that falls They anticipate great deal
OF
OPPOSITION FROM WESTERN MEMBERS,
and they are nov making the first effort to
get the new state senator's and members to
solidiiy themselves, not only on this ques-
ton but on others. and being joined by
the delegations from Nevada, Colorado,
California and perhaps Kansas, they can
form such a strong irrigation party as 20
gain for them something in the way OF
national support. 1t has been suggested
that the present desert land law should be
repealed and these lands should be grant
ed to the several states to be used as the
legislature sees fit in promoting irrigation.
Nothing will be done at present until
Senator Stewards committee makes it's
report. 1t is anticipated that it will not be
entirely ga satisfactory, and there is lear
that it will take at least ten years to work
ont the scheme. Meanwhile the settlers in
the West will have been forced to move
away. Mr.. McNaughton says something
that can be put into active use at once is
hat Is needed, and in their efforts to fur
Their the scheme, they first bring the senat-
ors and representatives OF those states to-
gether and secure a unity OF purpose. 1t
is expected that not only the Northern Pa
cific stateI, but South Dakota, Minnesota
and Wisconsin will be terested-South
Dakota being interested in irrigation, and
Minnesota and Wisconsin in anything tina t
will promote this interests, and especially
the raising OF wheat in the country tribu-
tary to their great lakes.
TO ACT UNITEDLY.
The Northwestern ASSOCIATION, made up
OF senators and representatives from that
part OF the country, was foramly organ
lied at Washington, ID, c., on the 9TH inst.
1t covers a broader field than was contem-
plated when the new-state men first got
together, and, as decided on included near.
ly third OF the territory OF the Union.
Senator Stewart, the silver haired veteran
from Nevada. presided. The states and
territories included are North Dakota,
South Dakota, Montana, Washington,
Oregon, California, Nevada, C"lorda, Ida
do and Wyoming. proposition
to inclnde Kansas and Nebraska
was unfavorably considered rs be-
ing too far east and having too
LARGE delegations. Minnesota was also
considered too lar east. The purpose oil
the association is to act unitedly on all
questions OF a local nature where common
interests are involved. Chief among these
interests are those pertaining TO irrigation
and silver mining, and on these questions
pretty solid front will be presented.
North Dakota alone not being silver pro-
ducer, the cereal element will also be a
prominent one. 1t is officially stat
ed by the movers that the association is
to be non-partisan, Democrats and Repub
licans alike being eligible to membership.
1t was voted to ask publishers OF
newspapers in the above states to
send copies to be placed on file, and a
general invitation was extended to all Wis
itors from these states to enjoy the assoc :
atoms hospitality. A committee COM
prising Senator Stewart. Congressman Car
ter and Delegate Casey OF Wy oming was
appointed to perfect the roll OF member.
ship and take charge OF the preliminaries
until the permanent organization is com
pleted and adopted. Senators and repre-
sentatives from the states named. except
California and Colorado, were present and
pledged themselves to the organization.