Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-02-23
IRRIGATION CONVENTION.
they Decide 10 Kill the Huffman Irrigation
Bil,-A Permanent Society Formed.

Bil.-A Permanent Society Formed.
The second State Irrigation convention
met at Helena, Thursday last. and WAS
called TO order by H. p. Role, member of
the executive committee, from Great Falls.
Reports OF committees were adopted pro-
viding the following permanent officers:
President. II. 2. Roife. of Cascade; secre-
tary, s. b. Robbins, Of Cascade; w. H.
Sutherlin, of Meagher.
Delegates were present from the follow
lowing counties: Beaverhead, Cascade,
Choteau, Custer, Deer Lodge, Gallatin, JET
ferson. Lewis and Clarke. Madison,
Meaeher, Missoula. and Yellowstone; Fer
gus, unrepresented.
The committee on irrigation laws was
made up as follows: w. r. Gilbert, Beaver
head, w. F. Parker, Cascade; z. 7. Burton,
Oh oteau; L. A.. Huffman, Custer; d. NJ.
Durfee, Deer Lodge; A. C. Quaintance. JET
ferson; g.. NJ. Robinson. Gaiiatin; A. H.
Nelson. Lewis and Clarke; P. Carney, Madi-
son; w. H. Sutherlin, Meagher; G. w.
Ward, Missoula; A.. E. Meyers. Park; L. d.
O'Donnell.
Mayor Curtin of Helena, welcomed the
delegates in a fitting address and a letter
was read from Governor Richards, convey
ing his regard for the convention and ex-
pressing regret at inability to personally
be present. On calling the roll of counties
for reports on state of irrigation in each,
none were prepared at this time but in
formally. Cascade county reported lots of
dry bitches. O'Donnell of Yellowstone,
said there was lots Of water in his section,
but what was wanted now principally was
more bitches. and the farmers would like to
own big ones. Crops had been very sue
cessful the past season. The coded portion
Of the Crow reservation recently thrown
open to settlement afforded an excellent
opportunity for the small farmer who
would raise chickens. fruit. hogs and such
products. Helena, Butte, and other towns
which now import their articles of con-
sumption by the thousands OF tons would
give the small holders OF land a ready mar
ket for the products of their farms. d.
@. Swallow said this was just what Mon
tana needed-men who would be content
with 160 acres; we don't want the big
farmers. Whiteside, OF Missoula, echoed
these views. but said that the water Tor
it would be time enough to invite the small
farmer to cultivate the land. Wright, of
of Cascade, alluded to the immense sums
of money annually sent out OF Cascade for
farm produce, amounting last year to
S4OO. 900. Anderson, OF Gallatin, stated
the trouble with Gallatin farmers was that
they could not find a market for their pro-
duct. Shuart, OF G~allatin, did not think
there was any necessity for bringing any
more farmers into Montana. The times
had changed and now there was over-pro-
duction. Colorado and the other States
were sending into this state their over-pro-
duction, a serious thing for the Montana
farmer. People who live in cities were
always trying to tell the farmers how to
carry on their business. The idea OF bring
ing in small farmers to raise chickens was
all very well, but his experience had been
that it was not always convenient for
every farmer to carry out the lads pro-
posed by the city people. What the state
needed was more bread consumers, rather
thar producers. An entirely opposite view
and one which seemed to meet the approval
of the convention was advanced by |. ID.
O'Donnell of Yellowstone. Hetakes a very
hopeful view of the future and says the
present is full of promise. He told of men
who came to the Yellowstone country five
years ago without money and who arenow
worth $4,000 to $4,000. Generally he
considered the Yellowstone farmers well off
and aware OF the fact.
In general discussion on the scheme OF a
state system OF irrigation the sentiment
appeared decidedly against it and Huff
mans irrigation bill now before the legis-
~lature. The Huffman bill was read and
briefly discussed by the father of the meas
ure, L. A. Huffman, of Custer. Further
action on the subject OF state legislation
was postponed until the second day.
On Friday a resolution was presented by
the committee on irrigation laws and
adopted, to the effect that the convention
was opposed at the present time to any
legislation looking toward the building OF
irrigation canals, bitches and reservoirs by
the state and opposes the ~ssuance Of bonds
upon the credit OF the state for such puIs
pose. The resolution was carried by a vote
of 20 tic .. and will be presented to the
lie yislature. This settles the fate of the
Huffman water commission bill.
The election OF officers OF the state irriga-
ton society resulted as follows: President,
John NJ. Robinson, OF Bozeman; first vice.
president, c. II. Wright, Of Great Falls:
treasurer. II. NJ. Parchen, of Helena. The
Q iecutive committee will consist OF one
member from each county. The following
members of the committee were chosen,
and the Others will be named by the presi-
dent and secretary: Beaverheai, W. NJ.
Oliver; Cascade, H. p. Role; Choteau, T.
Z. Burns; Deer Lodge, c. X. Hardenbrook;
Fergus, Clarence Goddell; Jefferson, John
A. Heating; Gallatin. w. w. Alderson;
Lewis and Clarke, Donald Bradford;
Meaghre. W. H. Sutherlin; Missoula, A. G
England; Park, Alfred E. Meyers; Madison.
T. j. Conner; Teton, c. T. Barton; Flat
head, +. Whitesides.
An engineering com mittee was appointed
20 prepare a report to be presented to the
society at the next meeting.
Votes OF hanks were extended to the
Hell ma board of trade and the railroads