The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-06-19
Thirty Montana Delegates Appointed
to Go to Salt Lake In
September.
Tho Proper Solution Of This Cues
ton Pregnant With
Great Import.
Hon. Martin MaEinnis, Ex-Goy. White,
Hon. w. A. Clark, Hon.. Stephen De
Wolfe Among the Delegates.

egates to attend the convention which will
meet in Salt Lake next September to CON
slider matters pertaining to the reclamation
OF the arid public lands of the west, and to
petition congress to cede TO each state and
territory the arid land within its limits.
for the purpose of reclamation; for the
support of it's public schools and for such
other public purposes as tho legislature Of
each state or territory may respectively de-
termine. The questions which the conven-
tion will consider are of Rreat interest to
the people of the west. Their Importance
was recognized by tho governor last Janu-
ary in his message to the legislature. Upon
this subject he said: EVERY person who is
conversant with our climate and the cha
acter of our soil must now that great pos
sibilltits await q general and comprehen-
sive system Ct irrigation of our lands. | do
not think the public is interested in hold
ing u vast empire MS a mere cattle range for
large herds Of stock. Upon the
contrary it will be a glad day
for Montana when the stock interests of
the state shall be divided among the ranch
men in small lots. This will insure their
prope feeding and shelter, and furnish
employment to a large number of persons
who must also be provided with the neceE-
saries of life, all of which will be conduc-
tive of a more general prosperity to the
state.
"The proper solution of this question ia
pregnant with great import to the people of
this state. There was a time when it
reemed not improbable that the general
government would take hold of this propo-
sition and under its supervision control md
manage the water supply to the advantage
OF oil. 1t is perfectly apparent. however.
at this time that influences are %co-operat-
ing which will eventuate in dest, Dying
whatever hope we may have had in that di-
rection. Eastern communities which have
Get this opposition in motion, appear to be
mindful only OF local interests and
not of the prosperity of the
based upon the claim that the reolama-
tion of these arid lands would subject the
settler in the eastern and middle states to
undue competition, retarding relief from
ngricultu al depression. They will not,
but they should remember that this de-
preston, arising from the competition of
more favored conditions, is a portion Of our
inheritance and of the inalienable sacrifice
exscted from mankind by that modern jug
gernaut, progress, whose wheels take 40
backward turn, however loud, however
renl, or however pitiful the outcriss of the
victims may be-
The homes which we propose to make
are not for us alone, but for every citizen of
the United States who has the courage to
come and a one. We are interested in
having this country settled and contribute
something more to humanity and the world.
There ia no citizenship like that which is
bound to the state and the nation by a title
in fee to the soil. OF course these lands,
when reclaimed, will come in competition
with that immense land grant of over
twenty millions of acres almost wholly IN
disposed of in our state and possibly depre-
ciate it's value, but that is only another rea-
son for their speedy reclamation, as it will
secure cheap homes for the people and in
the end benefit all. 1t we are to receive
any substantial or speedy benefits from our
arid lands, | believe the state must first ac-
quire IL title to them and then undertake by
appropriate legislation to reclaim and dis
pose of them. The government should Sc
leot, survey and convey these lands to the
state pom such conditions as would secure
Eaeir occupation and reclamation.
THE west has contributed largely to build
Ing up the great revenues of the nation and
has received very slight corresponding ben,
efts. 1t is not, however, the section, but
Agriculture lies at the foundation of our
national prosperity. 1t is already anguish
ing under the fatal pressure of unjust dis
elimination. 1t should be stimulated and
promoted"
The convention has been called pursuant
to a resolution of the chamber of
of Salt Lake city, adopted Juno 3. Gov.
Thomas of Utah, on behalf of the chamber
of commerce., requested the appointment of
thirty delegstesf ON Montana and delegates
from other western states. In his letter to
Gov. Toole no says the various commercial.
agricultural, scientific and mechanical as-
soolations, together with each municipal
corporation in the several states west of the
Missouri river are also requested
to send delegates. The delegates
appointed BY Gov. Toole are:
Martin Maeinnis, Samuel Word, E. d.
Weed, w. A. Clark, Stephen DeWolf, Lee
Mantle, Thomas Marshall, Frank Woody,
Il. l.. Greenough, w. M. Thornton, Flank
ID. Brown. f.. NJ. Whitehill, 7. w. Poin-
dexter. B. F.. White, 1hos. Bearyman.
Henry Filing, Thos. Joyes, Will Kennedy,
j. V. BoRart. Caleb Rich. o. +. Goddard, J.
A. Savage, G. X. Middleton, "A. j. Haskell,
William II. Todd, T. e. Collins, Ernest
Crutcher, G. M. Webster, William Suther-
lin. j. II. Moe.
The convention will meet at noon Tues
day. September 10, and remain in session
the two days following.
Money to loan by Montana Sayinys bank on
good city property or improved ranches.
Madame BOyd is exhibiting elepant i'm