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

nal appropr ations were lett TO be
devoted To the purpose for which they
! we're intended.
Commodore Power here interrupted
and said he wanted to correct Mr..
Clark; that altogether mp TO the pres
ent time $3.50, 200 had been appropri-
ated.
Mr.. Clark continued 10y saying that
what lie stated as TO the aPpropria-
tions applied to 1855 auu 1850.
Notwithstanding these appropriations
Major Powell diverted the greater por-
tion OF them to provide employment
to his friends. In referring TO the
proposition OF cedlng the lands Mr..
Clark said he had confidence in the
ability OF the state to take care OF the
lands, and IN the integrity of her legls-
lators. He believed that the state
should also own the timber lands. In
reply TO n question from Commodore
Power asking If he would also include
the mineral lands, Mr.. Clark said that
was a proposition he had not consid-
cred. At the close oil his remarks he
reviewed the irrigation system oil Cali
fornla and favored some such plan.
The resolution offered 10y Judge sire
veil WAS unanimously adopted.
w. III. Sutherln offered tue following
resolution which was adopted:
Resolved, That the next Legisla-
ture OF the State OF Montana be me-
morialized to enact law similar in
its provisions to the Wright irrigation
law OF California, for the furtherance
OF the interests of the farmers in the
matter OF constructing reservoirs and
canals and for the government and
distribution OF the water"
Asa matter OF information delegates
from each county were called upon for
statements as to the extent Z o which
irrigation had already been carried on
and the prospects for the future.
The report given in for Fergus county
shows $4,000 acres OF land under
ditch. The main bitches are 2f2 miles
In length, costing about 100 per mile.
The bitches cover bottom lands.
There are IL 900 acres taken up which
are not yet irrigated and l 100000
acres OF irrigable land which could be
made productive. The remainder OF
the acreage is hilly and mountainous
and only fit for grazing purposes. The
principal streams are the Judith river.
Wolf creek, Big Spring creek, and Flat
Willow. Two sites for reservoirs have
been selected by the government on
the right places to cover large tracts
of land not yet irrigated.
After the counties had all reported
Hon. w. A. Clark offered a resolution
asking the representatives OF Montana
in congress to ask for liberal appro-
priation to be expended III arteslan
well projects. The resolution, which
was adopted, asks that the money be
expended on actual work and not
under the direction OF Major Powell
or in theor zing.
J. w. Wade, of Lewis and Clarke,
offered a resolution which was also
adopted, asking liberal appropriations
for the survey OF the public lands IN
Montana.
The following were appointed on the
legislative committee: ". H. SIT herlIu,
Meagher, Joseph A. BroNne, Beaver
head; L. G. lngersoll, Cascade; j. W.
Strevell, Custer; FlaHnery, 6allatia-
This committee = aUlnuriECd 20 pre-
pare and present 70 ihe next legi~lI-
ture such bills as may tend to encour-
age the construction of canals and
reservoirs for irrigating purposes. The
committee will also take charge OF
such matters as are contained IN Dom
aid Brad!ord's resolution introduced
the fret day, concerning a state board
of irrigation.
II. p. Rolte, OF Great Falls, sug-
gested.a committee OF sixteen to per
nanently organize the convention and
hold annual meetings. The following
compose the committee: w. b. s
Higgins, CusteI; George McComb, Daw-
son; c. K. Hardenbrooke, Deer Lodge;
s. 5. Hobson, Fergus; j. w. Colwell,
Gallatin; w. c. Child, Lewis and
Clarke; Henry Wallin. Measher; A. G..
England, Missouia, II. o. Hickman,
Madison; Alfred Meyers, Park; Will
lam Hamilton, Silver Bow; b. (.
Shuart, Yellowstone; II. p. Rolfe,
Great Falls; E. G. Brooke. Jefferson.
After voting to extend an invitation
to the National Irrigation convention
to hold its next annual meeting III
Montana and attending to some minor
matters, the convention adIournd
sine die.