Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1891-02-27
IN OPEN LETTER..
Irrigation, Water Supply and
Forestry.


Regarding Irrigation, Water Supply and
Forestry.
To the honorable members of the legis-
lative assembly of North Dakota:
GENTLEMEN: AS it is difficult to com
municate verbally, on account OF defective
hearing, | respectfully take this mode to
address you upon matters of vital import
ance which concern the best interest OF our
state and its people.
Prompted by q source of duty that l
owed to the state and its people, on No
vember 2, 1889, | commenced the work of
presenting to the public through the meth
DDS of the circulation of petitions and CON-
munications to the press, a system en-
bracing irrigation, water supply from the
earth and sky, meteorology and forestry
and scientific work. The scheme wa
most freely and earnestly endorsed by the
people and the press, and thousands of our
most intelligent, influential and practical
citizens signed my petitions to congress in
behalf of these measures.
The petitioners included men of every
calling and profession and Office. including
the governor and the state officers and ev-
cry member of both Observation-Disclosures.
tive assembly of our state, which body,
without n dissenting voice, passed a
joint memorial to congress, embracing
each one and all the features of the great
system. But five persons in all the state
who, reading my petitions last winter, re-
fused to sign the same. And thus far this
winter, not one single person who has read
my petitions to congress, asking for the es-
Establishment OF the national scientific bu-
e a or college, has declined to sign said
| petitions.
Soon after the presentation to congress
of the long petitions. containing over one
thousand names on each petition, in con-
nection with the said joint memorial, that
body appropriated the sum of $4,000.
Twenty thousand dollars of tins amount
was for the purpose of investigating the
extent and water supply of the arteSian la.
Sin or belt of North and South Dakota and
to learn the necessity and advantages to
accrue from artesian developments therein.
The efficient committee appointed to carry
out these measures, | am informed, will
'ere long make their report, which will be
of a most favorable and encouraging ma
ture.
Aud the other $4,000 appropriated was
for the purpose Of experimenting with the
view of producing rain falls by scientific
methods or inventive skill.
And the effort of the writer this winter
is but the continuation of the work COM
menced in 1889.
The necessity of irrigation in our state
is almost universally conceded Daily l
am told by the most sensible agriculturists
and thoughtful men of the country that in
order to make sure of remunerat:ve har.
vests of grain, grass and fruit in our state.
a full supply Of water must come from
some source.
Thus, gentl* men, you can clearly see
how fully the people have expressed them
selves upon the matters now under con-
sideration. And the absolute necessity OF
these things must be clearly understood 10y
your honorable selves.
Then how can the desired results be
accomplished? In order to achieve any
important object there must be an ihtelll-
gent system to govern the same thereof.
Hence in this case it is apparent the office
of state superintendent of irrigation and
forestry should be established, whose Off.
cial head may manage n control these
important features for the best welfare of
the state and thep people.
This is no new move. The matter of ir-
rigation, meteOrOlOgy and forestry and
kindred subjects have long occupied the
attention of the nations of the earth. In
many countries the superintendent OF
OF these departments. In our union many
states have departments OF forestry. mana
gers OF meteorOlogy, chiefs of weather bu-
reaus and directors or engineers OF irriga-
ton. But our W state is too young to
have these various offices, and hence they
| cbN,,fI H., ,nnrual into <Nrn (.,,>n ri ~ n N
Bill No. 224, introduced in the house by
Mr.. Lamb on the 2lst inst, seems to con
tain all that is essential for good law upon
the subject, though the committee on irri-
CATION may deem it best tomake some
changes therein. This is a condensed copy
of the South Dakota law, with the same
notifications, to tit the expenses OF the
ent (elgineer) Of irrigation of South DalkO-
ia is one OF the most instructive and valua'
BILE OF all the irrigation department re-
ports Of the western states. That state is
making wonderful progress in the matter
OF irrigation. under the able management
borders are more artesian wells, and
than can be found in any other state or
nation Of the globe. The practicability
and paying qualities Of artesian waters for
agricultural pursuits have there been fully
Northumberland. l1eT0 Ill NOfCl DhkOth VIC
have the same artesian deposits and the
same climatic conditions, and shall we,
who have a full share of energy and in.
t%elligence, in our idleness and inaction
allow our sister state to outstrip US in all
material progress?
The aim of tho writer is to benefit our
state; I give my whole time and money,
simply asking, rs l am thankfully receiv-
ing, friendly cooperation; it is no party
move; all parties see its necessity and
value; the salary is small; three-quarters
of it must be used for clerk hire and travel.
ing, n other expenses. Hence, gentle
men, trustingly believe you will pass
! the judici0us work Of the superintendent