The record-union., 1891-09-19
been convinced that it is the best policy
to cede these public lands to the various
States and Territories for the


to cede these public lands to the various
States and Territories for the
PURPOSE OF RECLAIMING THEM
And developing them, that is of outlin-
ing plan by which the irrigation of
these lands may be effected. / do not
know that this convention will care to
undertake that important work. Prob
| ably as much as they viii desire to under
take is simply to outline plan and policy
Tor the general Government upon which
these lands shall be ceded to the various
States and Territories. 1t has now come
to be generally acknowledged that the
beneftS OF irrigation are so great as TO be
beyond any question, in all the great
west. The benefits of a system of irriga-
tlon have been SO firmly established as
TO be beyond further question; and the
fact that this great domain, the public
lands, may be developed into an empire
OF untold Importance, is one which will
be conceded upon the bare statement of
the facts. We are all prepared-we all
came here with that conviction, we be-
lieve that to be true 1t will not be
necessary for US to discuss the propo-
sltlon as to the benefits of irrigation.
We all came here convinced of its super
latlve benefit TO the country, and we are
therefore prepared to GO on from that
step to consider the ways and means by
which it may be best accomplished.
ANOWJ ~ S0ciliS 10 lie bildG rlSHC mere at
the very basis of our work, after we dis
pose of the proposition, if we can do so,
OF how best to advise the general Gov
ernment with respect to these lands,
there comes up the further important
question, and one which ought to be con-
sldered to some extent at least by this
congress, of how best to irrigate these
lands-how best to devise a system that
may be successfully applied IN the de-
velopment of these lands by irrigation.
1t seems to me that this is one ofthe most
important features which might well be
considered by this congress.
think you will not expect an eX-
tended speech from me at this time. This
honor came entirely unexpected and
without solicitation, I assure YOU. and
while | have not had much experience
governing the deliberations of bodies like
TINS, shall crave your indulgence and
your assistance as we proceed with the
work OF this congress, and hope that we
may get along harmoniously and sue
cesstully with the great work before us.
thank you, gentlemen. Applause.
COMMITTEE ON RESOLUTIONS.
The chair announced that the next bus
mess in order was the appointment of a
Committee on Platform and Resolutions.
delegate from Nevada moved to ap-
peint one from each State and Territory,
TO be selected by the delegations. This
was agreed TO, and the committee COM
posed as follows:
Oregon, ]. Z. Johnson; New Mexico.
viii Hall Poore; Texas, Morgan Jones;
Utah, Judge c. c. Goodwin; Nevada.
Francis Newlands; Wyoming, Elwood
Mead; Nebraska, James b. Stephenson;
Montana, Hon. A. G. Botkin; Kansas, J.
w. Gregory; Idaho. a. w. Hogar; Colo
RADIO, Hon. Platt Rogers; California,
Colonel John Z. Irish.
The various Nice-Presidents then took
their places on the platform, and then the
appointment of the Executive Committee
was brought up. On motion of John p.
Irish this was deferred until the conclu-
sion of the congress- labors. The same
disposition was made with the committee
that Will memorialiZe Congress. The
convention was then in business session
with its organization completed. lin our
yesterdays telegraphic reports the COM
position of these committees We're given.
John p. Irish then started to move to
adjourn, but yielded to Mr.. Estee, who
spoke i'll favor of taking action on the
memorializing of Congress. After de-
bate of the subject the congress adjourned
over. Our telegraphic advices Of yester-
day gave the results of the deliberations
OF the congress.