The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1890-12-17
IRR.oAIIoM IN KANSAS.

q Irrigation Resolutions Adopted.
OBERLIx, Kan. Dec. 11.-Hundreds Of
business men and farmers from all parts
Of Northwestern Kansas met yesterday
to attend to the subject Of presenting
the claims Of this section to Congress
for irrigation.
The convention was called to order at
1880 o'clock by A. H. MCGEE with about
100 delegates present
Secretary Scott stated that the meet
ing was called to discuss irrigation with
Chief Engineer Nettleton and j. w.
Gregory. of the irrigation investigation
department
A. h Montgomery, of Sherman Coun-
ty, was elected temporary chairman.
Committees on credentials irrigation
and resolutions were appointed, after
which the convention adjourned for
twenty minutes.
The committees were not able to fin
ish their work on time and Prot. Hayes
was introduced. He said the invest;ga-
ton he was now engaged in was ordered
by Congress, first in relation merely to
artesian wells but the investigation
had spread to the amount of water I'M
derneath arid regions and it's nearness
to the surface. He dwelt at length on
the geological formation of the coun.
try. At Hutchinson, he said, in bor-
ing for salt wells it had been found
that there was an immense body Of
water underground. He thought the
same condi ton existed in this region.
Of thn
irrigation EXPERT read from manuscript
a lengthy article on the practicable
benefits Of irrigation. He maintained
that Western Kansas was the finest
reg on on earth for the farmer. with
the exception Of few short weeks in
the summer, when promising crops
were laid low by hot winds and drought
this single difficulty. The only hope
lay in the great under-flow that swept
under the region. He explained that
system of irrigation in use IN the plains
OF Southwestern Kansas. The cost of
water for irrigation in Colorado and
Western Kansas through the season
was 81 to 81. so per acre. Without irri-
was very low.
The following resolutions were unan-
imously adopted:
First-Implicitly relying upon the benefi-
cent wisdom of the Creator we have been
and are now confident that this climate,
rivaling that of Italy, was intended for the
habitancy of humanity, and that this soil,
rich as the delta of the Nile, was purposed
for fruitful returns for the labor of the hus-
bandmen.
Second-Induced by such climate and soil
and invited and influenced by the Govern
mcnt in the holding of these lands subject to
the private entry under the agricultural land
laws, We have settled thereon, builded our
houses, opened our farms and invested our
all to the extent that there are no vacant
lands in the State of Kansas.
Thirdly years of experience, of toll and
and by the expenditure of our sub
stance, we have demonstrated that agricult-
ure dependent upon rainfall is unreliable,
uncertain and Improbable in the western
portion of our State, and. contrary to the
theory of the Government and ourselves,
these lands have proved to be semi arid
rather than reliably agricultural.
FOurth-ThrOugh personal observation and
and through scientific demOnstra-
ton we have been led to and do believe that
the irrigation of our lands is practicable and
possible, but we are unable to demonstrate
to the satisfaction of private capital the truth
or falSity of our conclusion.
Fifth-TO the end that our future may be
with both speed and certainty
and recognizing the established policy of the
Government in the protection and preserva-
ton of the interests of settled localities for
the public good, we ask a sufficient and early
of public moneys to demon
strate the practicability of the irrigation of
Id &;<,,,a g ali
J.. Sixth-We ask that this test be made
and certain and with such test that
aid shall cease.
Seventh-We believe that our location and
our circumstances justify this demand par
we can not hope to share i'm the
vast annual expenditures of the Government
for rivers and harbOrs and other Internal
and for the reason that in the
and purchase of our lands we
have contributed from our earnings millions
of dollars to the United States Treasury,
more than 81 100000 having been covered into
the Treasury from this land district alone
within the past eight years.
Eighth-We are unalterably opposed to the
further opening of arid lands to settlement
and demand that Governmental experiment.
in irrigation investigation be confined for
the present to occupied arid lands.
Ninth-That we demand of the National
the enactment of judiciOus laws
providing the means of settlement of Inter-
State questions arising out of the practice OF
irrigation.
Tenth-That we demand of our State Legis-
lature the speedy enactment of judiciOus
and conservative irrigation laws which shall
amply protect the people in all their rights
and which shall also insure to capital safe
and remunerative investment.
Eleventh-That We demand that in the
work of experience and investigation in our
behalf the advancement of science. the COM
pilation of costly and voluminOus reports
and the enlargement of political patronage
shall be disregarded, except in so far nee
e ssarity incidental to the work in hand.
Twelfth-That the Senators and Represent
atives in Congress from Kansas be furnished
4 copy of these resolutions, and requested to
make an earnest and united effort to secure
Herewith by Congress during
the present session.
Chief Engineer Nettleton was then
allied upon. He stated that he had
been engaged in canal irrigation work
or twenty years and he would be glad
% answer any question about the
'ystems He urged. however, that the
,eople urge Congress to lengthen
he time for which the Com omission
vas appointed. As it was, he did
lot think the Commission would