The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-08

3H0V6kAQI ALMA VnAIYA &Nu0j SuHXHMGklH AUE4 bH0
purpose of considering tho action takens Nv
another convention NJ Halt LIKE. This
business had not yet beet brought before
this convention. An effort Was then rnnde
~ bring mp for consideration tho action OF
the Salt Lake convention 60 embodied In
the governors call, but flilod.
.~-----
A STATE COMMISSION.
88 -
And tho Division OK tl,c stnts Into Irrlgn-
tiOn DISTRICTS.
The following resolution WAS introduced
BY Donald Bradford, Of LAWS and Clarke,
and referred:
Whereas, Montana contains %, 348,,2 200
acres; 100000 aorss comprise ou ranges.
IntsrBpersed with thess are 3D,OOO,OOO ncres
OF farming lands, and
Whereas, Montana has limitless latent
wealth, the fact must BIZ recognized that We
are face 70 face with 4 vast problem. that
We must prepare now TO solve and not pro-
crastlnnte sill too late to properly md
economically master II, and
Whereas, Il Ii fair TO assume 16,O00,0 600
acres to be the area subject TO all practic-
abls means Of irrigation. Fifteen
I lSit,eo 'p adaisio oioRe''r rural af'el popul Ilssa.
Canals for 100000 population mean,
not alone. irrigation. but demands Tor
water power for manufactures, water for
houses, for cities and villages, and conse-
quently q we'll balanced law prepared in
o. Il E LIZ. ! = q 81 i Eayps sna = il II ln eGans shst
have, IN q measure, overcome the diff
culties in the proper distribution Of water;
I law anticipating the need at RESERVOIR
sites IN every locality possessing irrigable
lands to prevent their occupancy aud ulti-
mate enlarged outlay in condemnation; d
Law that will r1nrn r,nAar fha ncntrnt5 pf
each district Or drainage area their water
supply, and will reduce the cost to 4 mini
mum; that will prevent discrimination as
between landholders, and
Whereas. The constitutional life of the
Legislatures will not permit 81 an investiga-
subject Demands; therefore, be it
Resolved, by the convention, constituting
representatives from different portions Of
the state. that acommittee Of one from
each county be appointed BY the president
Of this convention with power to prepare q
which bill shall embody the following gen
eral points, to-wit: Tho creation Of a state
irrigation and immigration commission,
which shall be appointed BY the governor
together with q state engineer, which COM
mission shall have power, through the state
engineer to divide the state into districts,
according to natural slopes; to prepare
plans for the construction OF the necessary
canals, and reservoirs or other works Of
any district; to have sole control Of the
construction; to cause the organization of
any such district BY the election by the
legal voters Of such district Of Eve trustees,
who shall exercise control Of such canal,
reservoir or other work of constructions;
issue bonds of such district for construc-
ton; levy taxes and otherwise provide for
sinking fund, interest and repairs, subject
in all cases to the laws OF the state.
La. Mr. &1Srn 1fnr1 in SEcY,r,S,nrA ~ h;a rnno1,,
tion, said: Mr.. President: ! have prepared
and introduced these resolutions with a
view to crystaiizlng to some extent, and
bringing before this body the question how
the arid lands Of Montana are to be made
habitable for the accommodation Of a vast
of accomplishing this object, we should try
to realize the work, not only this conven-
tion and the next legislature, but thls epoch
has mapped out for its achievement by the
demands Of civilization. We should bring
home to our minds the fact that the public,
become exhausted; that the so-called arid
region, known in early days as the Great
American Desert is the last resort as q
relief for the millions Of population an
nually flowing into the United States; that
the eastern states are in a constant state of
CESSATION and Of delivery; that these youths
are seeking outlets for their ambition, and
| that tina Rocky mountains, the arid region,
the land of gold and silver, is the Mecca
toward which thew all turn their hopes.
Therefore, I say we must impress upon our
minds the grandeur of the responsibility
resting upon this convention, of creating
for this influx of humanity IN avenue
through which it may quickly utilize its
energy.
There are several plans e1tant that at
tempt to cover the ground but, according
to my judgments, are seriously defective in
ha rnnuA viknI Tnrrjoifao IT;rc& %ba ~
ton arises, shall tbs national or state gov
ernments exercise general supervision ?
Second, If either, shall the ownership be by
private corporations and individuals with
state. supervisors, as in Colorado; state
ownership and control as in India; owner
ship by the people in districts through a
board Of directors that exercise absolute
control, without any higher supervision, as
in California; or the plan proposed in the
resolutions of district ownership and con-
troll with ultimate supervision both in CON-
Htruction and during operation by a per-
manent and competent state board or COM
mission.
] will attempt to discuss each scheme as
it is here presented: First-NRtional con-
troll and perhaps construction is imprac-
ticable for the reason that it is too vast for
comprehensive supervision by ono man or
one board of the minntia of each individual
enterprise IN the whole arid region-coln-
prising Montana. Idaho, Washington. Ore
gon, California. the Dakotas. Wyoming,
Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Utah. Arizona,
Texas and New Mexico. containing 150.-
00O. GOO acres of irripabla and k00 ONO ono