The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1892-03-18

MKfoATIoM

= Adopted BY Nass Convention Held At Pied
mont, Meade County, 8. D.
Whereas, We citizens Of the severn
n counties Of western South Dakota in
: mass convention assembled for the pur,
pose Of discussing the irrigation prob
lem now being agitated throughout the
arid region Of the mountain states and
territories do
RESOLVE that we endorse the Salt
Lake platform adopted by the irriga-
!, ton congress conyened in Salt Lake
City, Utah, September IL, 1891, and
that We request our senators and repre-.
sentatlves in congress to endeavol
to secure ample legislation for the pur.
!. poses as set forth in said platform.
:. Whereas, the congress Of the United
! States in the admission OF the
state Of South Dakota into the
5 union OF states, did provide literally by
: an appropriation Of the public lands
therein for all public institutions OF the
state.
And whereas. the lands thus appropri.
ated to the state that have been select
ed in the western part thereof by au-
thority Of the state, as well as the com
mon school lands therein, are under ex-
listing conditions Of but nominal value
to the state, and not available for the
purposes for which they were thus. ap-
propriated.
And whereas there is q very large ma
jority OF the citizens OF western South
Dakota who have awaited themselves Of
the liberality OF the general government
by making settlement upon the public
domain under the wise and general pro-
visions OF congress. That are now and
have been for some years unable to cul-
tivate SAID lands successfully. And in
many instances have been compelled to
abandon same, caused by the small
amount Of rain when needed and the in
ability to secure water for the irrlga-
ton Of their crops.
| Whereas there liz d large area OF the
public domain in the Black Hills desis-
mated as mineral lands and held by the
govern .nent for exploration and Local
ton under the laws governing mineral
lands, on which there ISL growing a fair
growth OF pine and other timber
And whereas there has been and now
is being committed, great waste of said
timber. by the unlawful appropriation
thereof by citizens Of the state and by
forest fires.
And whereas, the protection thereof
from such unlawful waste and appro-
priation and forest fires is OF vital i'm
portance to the citizens of western |
South Dakota.
And whereas-there is a large area of
the public domain in the Black Hills
designated and held as mineral lands |
that is more valuable for agricultural
purposes than for the minerals thereon.
And whereas the control of said lands
by the state would insure the better
protection thereof from such unlawful
waste and appropriation or the destruc-
ton thereof by forest fires, that the state
could provide for a more equitable sale
and distribution of said lands, that the
state could establish and maintain a
system OF forestry therein to the great
benefit OF the citizens of western South
Dakota.
Therefore, RESOLVED, That We respect
fully request our senators and represent
tatlves in congress to ask for and en-
deavor to obtain the appropriation by
congress to the state OF South Dakota
OF all the unapproprIated lands in the
western part OF South Dakota known as
the Black Hills purchase from the Sioux
Nations, in trust for the special benefit
of the citizens of that part OF western
South Dakota. Incidentally for the
benefit OF the citizens OF the state at
large, for the particular purpose OF de-
veloping the agricultural and mining re-
sources Of the western part OF South Da-
kota, by constructing and maintaining
a complete system OF irrigation for all
ard lands so far as it may be practical
BILE and also for the purpose OF estab-
llshing and promoting a complete sys-
tenn OF forestry thereon and for the
maintenance OF anne.
Whereas the cost OF the construction
OF the works contemplated in the fore
going resolutions will exceed the amount
OF the limit of the indebtedness to which
the state OF South Dakota may assume,
as provided by the constitution there
of, and as the state is thus barred from
securing funds on the credit OF the state,
and that the citizens thereof to be bene-
fitted thereby are not able to procure
same on their responsibility.
Therefore RESOLVED, That we respect
fully request our senators and represen
tatlves in congress to ask for and en-
deavor to obtain from congress an ap-
preparation Of funds in proportion to
the magnitude OF the improvements con-
templated, to the state OF South Dako-
ia in trust for the purposes as set forth
in the foregoing resolutions.
Whereas; Congress did III che treaty.
last made with the Sioux Nations pro-
vide for conditional payments to be paid
to said Indians for that part OF the
territory coded to the United States by
said Sioux nation, situate in western
South Dakota.
And whereas the lands thus coded by
said Indians to The United States which
are in and a part OF the western part OF
South Dakota, are not suitable for
agricultural purposes, owing to climatic
and meteorological conditions-as well
as the supply OF water and timber
thereon,
Therefore RESOLVED that this conyen-
ton deems it wise and just that con-
gress should procure from said Sioux
Indians their REIMBURSEMENT to said
lands on an equitable adjustment OF
their rights and that OF the public re-
latinp thereto. That the crnpresS M