Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-01-21
IRRIGATION CONVENTION.
4 Fair Representation From Every
County in the State.
After a Lengthy Discussion the Salt Lake
Platform Is Rejected and Sub
stitute Adopted

Cascade, secretary, and George III
Casey, OF Silver Bow, assistant.
/ Lieut.. Gov. Richards welcomed the
mem 5ers 10 the capital on behalf ol
the state, and Mayor Kleinschmidt
responded for the city in his usual
happy manner. The remarks OF both
were greeted with applause. George
Irwin was then called upon for q
speech. He outlined the objects oi
the convention and dwelt forcibly
upon the necessity of the states hay
ing control OF the reclamation OF arid
/ lands, and also believed it right and
proper that the forests should also be
under the control OF state govern.
ments. The idea OF forestry asso.
citation in the east debating the policy
| in regard to forest lands in the west
| he characterized as absurd, and said
they could not distinguish the differ
euce between a tamarack and an or
binary bull pine.
| After considerable discussion a com.
mittee on permanent organization
and credentials was chosen, consist
ing or one delegate from each county.
On motion of A. j. Seli2man it was
| decided that each county should be
allowed to vote itsfull representation.
The following resolution was intro
! duced by Col. A. c. Botkin:
Resolved, That IL IS the sense OF
this convention that the reservoirs,
canals, bitches and other works for
irrigation be not taxed according TO
their actual cost or appraised valua-
tion, but on the amount actually re-
ceived from the sales of water"
The question was discussed at some
| length, and it was claimed by Botkin,
Burton, Mayor KleinschmidJ and A.
| Hotter that such enterprises We're at
present assessed several times their
actual cost and value. The resolu-
ton was referred to the committee
on resolutions. The governors call,
which embodied the resolutions
adopte ed at the Salt Lake convention,
VAS also referred to the same com
inittee upon motion of Judge Strevell,
of Custer county.
Elk Mayor Donald Bradford intr J.
| durrd the following resolulIon:
"N hertas, The constitutional life
of he legislature will not permit OF II
! lI1N FSil vi lt If~tftitii
portAnce OF the subject demands;
! therefore, he it
Resolved, By the convention, con-
-tItutIug representatives from the ser-
erai counties of the state, that com
nittee OF one from each county be
appointed by the president OF this
convention with power to prepare a
! bill and present to the next legisla-
ture, which bill shall embody the fol-
| lowing general points, to-wis:
"rhe creation of a state irrigation
and immigration commission, which
shall be appointed by the governor,
together with a state engineer, which
commission shall have the power,
| through the state engineer, to divide
/ the state into districts, according to
natural slopes; to prepare plans for
the construction OF the necessary ca
nails and reservoirs or other works oi
any district; to have sole control OF
construction; to cause the organiza'
ton OF any such district by the elec'
ton by the legal voters OF such dis
| tricU OF five trustees, who shall eNer
else control OF such canal, reservoir OIL
other works after construc ton; ISSUE
bonds of such district for construc
tiou; levy taxes and otherwise provide
for sinking fund, interest and repairs
subject in all cases to the laws OF the
state"
Mr.. Bradford made an able speecl
in support of his resolution, yhicl
was received with great favor by thu
convention. He pointed to the law:
upon thr subject prevailing in othe
states and territories, and showet
where improvements could be mad
in Montana and errors avoided.
The greater part OF the second day.
proceedings was consumed in discuss
ing the Salt Lake platform, or TIN
proposition looking to the ceding o
the arid lands to the states. Hon. Il
c. Power, W. A. Clark and Judg
Strevell made the principal speeches
OF which we give liberal extracts. Sen
stor Power on being introduced, said
"Mr. Chairman, am not going t.
take up your time by making any re
marks on this section, but on the sub
iect from it's beginning, from it's incip
iency, to the present, II that is II
order. You have heard the resolu
ton, sugar-coated, or you can read |
in the proceedings OF the irrigation
lcongress at Salt Lake, the crystaliza
ton OF their action, which Is o ce'i
these lands to the states absolutely
: The action of the Salt Lake congres
was preconceived and prearranged b,
: fore that congress met. The delegate
! from this state, and / believe the
: will not deny my assertion, did nc
understand the situation. Gentleme
y will appear before you today who wi
u speak on this proposition. This col
u vention did not understand that
: deep and concocted plan had bee
ID laid. | did not understand its dri
T" until told by some OF the senat or
' aud / watched those senator's.
) wanted TO know why, and saw afte
wards that IL was the centraliZatio
i of power, the increasing OF their hol
Ings. | refer to the sena, ors fro
'F Wyoming. At the orga nIzation of II
T. senate thought | saw this rroppiI
u out. asked TO be put in the irrig
C. lion committee They said We "
see. A commit lee OF seven was ne me
found / was left out. but prior o
was asked how | felt about segreg
Iion. | said it was winter and '
% might want to ask the old man |,
V, something. i was referring o appr
IA priations. The remark did not su
V, them. That committee is formed
n Senator Warren as chairman. II
H. Others, outside of the chairman al
a members OF the railroads committs
II, are lawyers. tried to convince tn
of committee OF seven that | was int
,n ested in irrigation; that | went to d
in kota in 1860 when crops could not
DO raised, and where they now raise m
Is. lions OF bushels. 1 thought I und,
in stood the subject. No, sir, there W
lg- no place for me, because / did not a
tie solutely fall into this trap. Now, f
,ir low up the work. Gov. Thomas issu
his call. The capitalization OF tn