Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-01-21

Z W utn we wanted 10 get chairman II
Nj. Clark WAS spoken OF. We wanted
TO make him chairman, but he was
committed to this question. We
took chances on Gov. Hauser, and Ia
and behold, he is committed. Now,
say keep your eyes open and look out.
You viii be asked to remain here a
week II this cannot be accomplished.
| say meet the issue, vote direct
whether you want the lands ceded TO
the state, and in that way oppose all
appropriations from the government.
There are perhaps 40,OOO,OOO
acres OF arid lands. The Dakota con-
gressmen say they will stand by the
old man who holds the purse.
would like to be instructed by this
convention. California is country
owned absolutely by railroads. Every
business man who goes there can't
deny it. That influence controlled
the Salt Lake convention. / ask Mr..
Clark and Mr.. Gregory to deny it.
There is, dislike to say it, u Judge on
the supreme bench who Is actually n
lobbyist in getting judges named to-
day. This | have understood from
my colleague, who is Il lawyer. refer
TO Judge Field, who is going out of his
Ecdil W dtEdllEG ALIdL ldilkl HItltL IbdtlS
shall get our mineral lands. dislike
to mention those things, but they are
facts. Who are the men standing by
the Salt Lake proposition, men living
on the plains? No, sir. The prime
movers are from the small mining
counties. have said enough, gentle
men, but | am ready to answer any
questions. II these lands are ceded to
l,,z ,,.fIl h. %. n
tions. After getting 40,OOO,OOO or
so, 900, 900 acres OF land we will be
asked TO stand aside. How is the sit
uation? Wyoming has about two
thirds of her lands surveyed. She
has had Union Pacific influence. The
Northern Pacific does not care about
having the lands surveyed. We have
hardly one fifth surveyed in Montana.
These are facts, and We want to con-
slider them and act immediat ely. /
would ask that some Of the members
who were at the Salt Lake convention
be heard from"
Judge Strevell, of Miles City, offered
as a. substitute to the section under
discussion the following:
Resolved, That in the Judgment OF
this convention it is the duty of the
general government to aid in the de-
velopment hy Irrigation of the arid
lands in he several states and terri
tories where such lands exist; and
while we do not deem it desira Die that
the control and title 10 such lands
should pass from the general govern
ment to the several states containing
them, we do nevertheless urge that at
east the proceeds arising from the sale
of such lands shall be applied to the
supply of water for their development
for the purposes ofagriculture, and we
urge upon our senators and represent
htive in congress to useevery effort to
accomplish such legislation as Will
bring about is desirable result, no,
only for our state. hut for all OF her
S;ares aud territoiirs similarly stu
atrd.
The substitute wa greeted Ni,h loud
applause. Judge Strevell said he of
tered IL because IT WAS tlesira be that
The convention should reach such ~
result as would be satIsfact ory 10 all
1T there Is any scheme or any trap, l
don't suppose We will fall into 1t. A.
to the first proposition | do not de-
sire to be understood as at any stage
OF this convention antagonizing the
proposition that it is the duty OF the
general government to aid in the de-
velopment OF arid lands in this state
| am going TO assume that farming Is
the basis OF his country. (Applause.)
We cannot live without the production
of the farm. To invite a man to farm
without water in this western country
is but little short OF inviting him to Il
hospitable grave. Hence it becomes
necessary that some other means
should be devised than formerly pre-
vailed to aid in development. That
is the reason for the presence OF these
delega tes here, because there is a con-
dition OF things here that has not been
confronted betorein the history OF this
country. 1t is the duty of this govern
ment TO aid in the development oi
these arid regions. That's u PROPOSE
| ton l am prepared to stand by IN all
the ST ages OF 1t. In the early days oi
| Illinois that vast domain lay there,
which is now an empire, with not Il
railroad. Stephen A. Douglas, in 1S49
| | tn nix, introduced into congress
which was passed, a bill which gave &c
the company which should build IRON
end of the state to the other every al
ternate section OF land. Immediately
as il by magic, the state jumped to the
front and is now third in the union
So, 10y government aid, was the conti
nent spanned. 1t is, and should he
the prime consideration OF this con
ventIon that the government shall
help and assist in the development o
these arid lands. Is it desirable, a:
the Salt Lake convention said, tC
transfer the control and title of thesl
lands to the various states? thinl
not loud applause) and in word
will tell you way. Some OF you gen
tlemen are perfectly plain, as I am
You may protest against it when tn
corporations come to take thos
lands; your voices may be raise,
against it, but it will ms the breath I,
he idle wind IT, Will be accomplished
and it is our duty not to put thes
lands into That condition.
Ii is the government to provide
homestead for every poor man VIII,
wants 1t. and if he must have watert
develop it. IT l. the duty OF the govern
J ment to aid him in that also. (Ap
plause.) The eeding OF the arid Land
to the state would make necessar
| the establishment OF tribunals to ,lt
J termlne land contests Just as Is no'
done by the general government. Th
, state cannot stand the expense. Fo
these reasons and many others | d
Z not assent TO the proposition urge
J 10y the salt Lake convention.
II il our duty to harmonic all th
4 elements OF this arid region just as i'd
T ,ts Ne can. | would not for one mC
; nent oppose Anything done by h
= Salt Lake convention, because IL
the duty OF all so far ~ possible t
j. stand together. but Icannot srquies,
t in rhe proposition that the stat
: should have the control and title I
= these arid lands. For that reason
+ have offered the substitute"
= Hon. W. A. Clark. who was one
I the delegates to the Salt Lake CONVEX
II ton, made lengthy address, in whic
e he said the convention had been Gale
Z