Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-01-10
IRRIGATION CONVENTION
At Wa-Keeney, Kansas, January
Sad, 1891.
WA-KEEsrY. KAN.. Jan, 3, 1891.


at 1890 g. m, in response to call issued
by tie citizens of Wa-Keeney, q short
time ago, to the people OF the 23d Judi
cial District, asking them to meet in con-
Eention. for the purpose OF memorializing
congress- to aid in irrigation and to devise
other ways and means to advance irriga-
ton in Western Kansas and especially IN
the I'D Judicial District. The conven-
ton was called to order by Judge
Osborn and was organized by electing
Senator Hill P. Wilson, Of Hays City,
President, and 81. A. Geissler, OF Oakley.
Secretary.
The object of the meeting was stated By
Senator Wilson, followed by remarks by
Judge Osborn, Messrs. Harland, King,
Carson, Tarpey, Brown and McCollum.
On motion of Judge Osborn the follow
ing committee WAS appointed by the
Chair to prepair memorial to congress,
namely: ]. W. Carson, ]. b. Ward and
J. w. Jones.
, On motion of Mr.. Cotton the following
committee was appointed by the Chair to
draft resolutions, namely: W. A. Cotton,
B. G. Rich and Chas. Howard.
On motion adjourned to meet at 2 p. m.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Meeting called to order by the Chair.
The committee on resolutions reported
the following resolutions, which were
adopted:
WHEREAS, The experience Of the past
has taught us that irrigation is absolutely
necessary to carry on agriculture success
fully on the western prairiee and it has
been successfully demonstrated by actual
tests, that there exists sufficient under
flow east Of the Rocky Mountains to irri-
gate immense tracts Of prairie land, and,
WHEREAS, the cost of making this under
flow available for irrigation purposes pre-
cludes private or corporation capital from
engaging in the same, therefore be it
RESOLVED, that we of the 23d Judicial Dis
trict memorabilia congress to make
sufficient appropriation to defray the ex-
pense of experimental irrigation.
WHEREAS, the humidity of the air is an
important factor in banishing hot winds,
therefore,
Resolved, that to increase the source OF
evaporation we recommend the daming OF
draws, not only on section lines, but
wherever it is possible to catch and store
the surplus water OF Our rainfalls.
WHEREAS, sub-irrigation can be accom-
plished with one-twentieth the water it
takes to overflow, therefore,
Resolved, that each and every citizen
farmer of the 23d judicial District be re-
quested to experiment in a small way
from wells, springs or creeks, as circum-
stances may permit, either with open
trenches, tile or lumber drains. Be it
further o.. -.
Resolved, that we instruct our repres-
entatives in the legislature to secure a
passage of law relating to work upon
the public highways, instIucting road
overseers in the several road districts OF
this arid district in their work upon the
public highways to build good and SUBJ
stantial dams across all draws and ravines
where the same cross the public high
ways.
W. b. CorToN.
BEN. @. RICH.
CHAs. HOWARD.
The committee on memorial to congress
reported the following memorial which
which was adopted:
The people OF the counties Of Ellis,
Trego, Cove, Logan and Wallace in mass
convention assembled at Ws-Keeney in
the State of Kansas this Bird day of JAN
uary, 1891, believing that agriculture is
the first and paramount industry OF man,
and believing also in that legislation
which fosters and upbuilds this primal
source Of all lsndable progress, do hereby
earnestly and respectfully represent to our
Honorable Senators and Representatives
in the Congress of the United States:
That,
WHEREAS, We are residents within
what is known as the semi-arid belt. And,
WHEREAS: Our soil and climate are
unsurpassed in richness and salubrity.
And,
WHEREAS, In our sparce population
we are battling single handed, and invest
ing our small means inffectuslly in this
unesven strife against the empty clouds
of Heaven. And,
WHEREAS, There is good reason to
believe. and we do believe, that there is
below the surface Of our soil an underhow
of water having its sources in the noun
tains to our westward, OF such an abund.
ant supply, that If made available for use,
would render ours the most richly pro-
ductive farming section Of the great and
growing west. And,
WHEREAS, The ascertainment Of the
actual and available quantity Of this
underhow Of water requires 80 large an
expenditure of money as to wholly dis
courage private capital from such useful
public experiment. And,
WHEREAS, The province Of govern
ment is to subserve the public good, and
the precedents Of congress IN its unnum-
bered appropriation in behalf Of the
various public interests in the past In
different and distant sections Of our coun-
try warrant a generous bestowal from
her treasury upon the frontier home
steader of the west. Therefore, be il
Resolved, That the congress OF the
United States be and the same is hereby
respectfully asked to appropriate $500, 600,
or the necessary part thereof, enact such
legislation as may be necessary to
definitely determine the available surface
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