The state herald., 1890-04-18
An Addre.. for Water storage,

Ridge school house on Wednesday, April
9Th. As on other occasions, water storage
and irrigation was tho suiect under dis.
cussion. F, johnson read an essay on
"The Constitutional Aspect of our Irriga-
tion Laws" An interesting discussion
followed, in which Harvey Stewart, Jones
Wanamakcr, David Brothers, b. F. Wads-
worth, j. S. Stanger, ]. |. Boyer and 9TH
ers took part. The following address and
resolution were adopted, after which tho
association adjourned to meet on Wednos-
day, April 90, ut 7:20 p. IN,
To the Farmers of Colorado WhO Irrtgdte
their Lands:
The time has come when tho farmers Of
Colorado who irrigate their lands must do
something definite and practical to save,
of our natural streams, and also to pro-
serve their vested constitutional rights
from the aggressions of corporations and
others. To do this requires thoughtful
consideration Of what our needs are, and
practical application of ways and means to
supply and apply tho remedies.
Experience, that dear but effective
school, has taught us that our irrigation
laws need pruning and amending, so that
the rights Of the people, the actual users
OF water for irrigation, shall bo clearly de-
fined and legally guaranteed. and that in
corporated ditch or canal companies be
confined to their legitimate sphere OF com
mon carriers under the control of equitable
and lawful legislation.
Additional und absolutely necessary is
Legislation and appropriation of money for
water storage-the storage of water. not
for individuals or corporations to sell to the
people, for it is not and cannot be theirs
for that purpose, but by the State for the
use of the people OF the State in accordance
with the provisions Of our constitution.
How this is to be done is for the General
Assembly 10 say. The means Of getting
the money for doing it is provided for out
OF the fund arising from the sale OF inter-
nal improvement lands, and it is for the
voters in the agricultural counties to say
whether they will send TO the next General
Assembly representatives who are qualified
to vote intelligently and favorably on this
question, or whether they are to be sent
for the purpose Of drawing salary or
chiefly TO elect an United States Senator.
The farmers, dairymch, gardeners, and
horticulturists of Wheat Ridge and neigh
boring localities of jefferson County ad-
joining the city Of Denver, feeling keenly
Tho Siya action nf
in the curtailmcnt of thci. vested rights
in the Gse Of water for irrigation, have
formed an association TO agitatc the ques-
tion fwater storage and its distribution,
and knowing full well that other portions
of the State are equal sufferers with us,
and are willing and anxious to make this
agitation n common cause for legislation
and redress, we formulate and issue this
address that it may inspire and encourage
others TO Join with us in the accomplish
ment of this much desired object.
1t is desired that the various methods of
water storage be considered, There are
reservoirs in the mountains and on the
plains; there is the preservation Of our
mountain forests, or their destruction as
suggested by Major Powell; there is stor
age by'freczing Of water in winter in the
gulches and gladcs and on mountain sides
at high attitudes, and there is storage by
leading the water OF our natural streams
by bitches from their channels onto tho
mountain sides and slopes and to the little
parks and glades, In the winter time and
early spring and during food time, so that
the surplus water at these times can soak
into the earth and by underground chan
nels cause perennial springs in the valleys
and thus again throughout the droughts of
summer and fall reach the main streams,
avoiding the wastes Of flood and cvapora-
tion. And there may be other means and
methods suggested and devised.
With the hope that this address will at
tract the serious consideration of the
farmers OF Colorado and cause the organ
isation OF similar associations throughout
the State; we also ask the assistance OF
that great power, the press, by its publica,
tion.
Rcsoircd, That the Secretary be instruct
ed 10 supply n copy OF this address To the
daily press OF Denver, the Colorado Far
mer, fietd aud Farm, and the newspa-
pers OF jefferson, Boulder, Lurimcr, Weld,
Douglas, III Paso, Pueblo, Fremont, and
other counties OF the State Interested in
water storage, vita the request that they
publish II.