The herald., 1893-10-15

Newell OF California spoke in defent
Of Major Powell.
Opinions of engineers that there ws
plenty of water for all the arid land
were cited as showing the falsity {
Major Powelps statement that there wa
not enough water in the country.
Hicks OF Arizona moved that any pei
son desiring to make additional state
ments about previous papers could d
go by handing the statements to tn
secretary. He said that in Arizon
there are not more than 100000 acre
of arid land which can be irrigated, an,
enough water to do that for year wen
to waste in the Colorado river in
weeks time.
Wright OF California held that If th,
position of Major Powell was correc
this congress was of no use, and ht
thought that the matter should be acteC
upon by resolution stating that irriga
tion of public lands should be forever
dropped, or that the paper should bt
expunged from the proceedings. and ht
moved that the latter be done.
Murray of California made another
plea for Powell's being allowed to re-
wise.
/ Emery of Kansas said, "We have
made a mistake about this. Major
Powell has read no paper, but he only
made a stump speech, and he should
be allowed to revise that stump
speech"
0rmiston of California made hearty
speech, advising Justice to Major Powell.
He has not been treated Iairly. and
more than that he is right. | believe
that he is right; there is not enough
water that falls from heaven to irrigate
all of our land; but right or wrong, he
is entitled to fair treatment. He has
not had it so far"
At last the matter was laid on the
table and the congress adjourned to
] 80 p. m.
RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE.
The committee on resolutions met in
the forenoon. One subject considered
was resolution offered by B. A. G.
Stephens, to the effect thatstate division
is the only remedy for irrigation legisls-
tion for Southern California. Delegate
Stephens spoke strongly in favor of his
resolution, and it was tabled by large
majority. An appeal will be made to
the convention.
Win S. Green, editor OF the Colnsa
Sun. announced himself in favor of state
division.
FINISHING TOUCHES.
The afternoon session was called to
order at 80, by Judge Emery of Kan
sas, president.
An invitation was read from A. N.
Towne of the Southern Pacific Railroad
company. inviting the delegates to take
a trip to Beaumont and Indio, and view
the progress of irrigation through that
district.
REPORT OF COMMITTEE.
The president announced that the
committee on resolutions were now
now ready to report.
Governor Sheldon then came forward,
and with few remarks said that the
have done vast amount OF
work very creditably.
Judge Gregory of Kansas then read
the report, which is similar to the origi
nal, with q few exceptions. A substi-
tute WAS adopted declaring it the cor
rect principle that water in natural
channels and beds is public property,
and when under the law of any state
vested rights have been secured thereto
such rights, like all other private prop
srty, may be supervised for beneficial
purposes and be condemned for public
lses under the exercise of the power OF
eminent domain.
A paragraph was inserted declaring
hat any international questions that
nay arise with Mexico or any other
country should be settled on just and
,quitable terms to all nations con-
,erned.
The following words were stricken
,ut. "The right OF condemnation of
private works and their requirement by
he people upon payment of just COM
Jensation when ascerta;ned by fair ap-
The clause stating that the need of
tate supervision Of local irrigation die
ricts is apparent, was cut out.
Governor Sheldon spoke on the sub
titute for paragraph, which sets forth |
hat water in natural channels is not
private property. Said the governor, this |
8 not only congress of irrigation but
congress as well, and
here are two policies which | will draw
'our attention to, one of private inter-
.st, and that is money. And then there
ire the public interests, and they are
higher than the private interests.
We declare it to be the correct prin-
,lple that water in natural channels
md beds is public property, and when
lnder the law any state vested rights
lave been secured thereto, such rights
ike all other private property may be
for beneficial purposes and
De condemned for public uses under the
exercises OF the power OF eminent
tomain.
PRIVATE MONOPOLY.
Governor Sheldon spoke forcibly
igainst any monopoly of water by cor
,orations, and the taking any of indi-
llduals' water rights by companies. 81
ay this" he said, with all respects for
he big corporations, as far as they are
light, but the Sweetwater Valley Dam
company nor any other dam COM
'any laughter and applausel should |
lot be permitted to take advantage of |
NY private rights"
Colonel Hinton who loses no opportu.
ity for speaking made spread eagle |
peech on the property of the public in |
he water. The right of eminent do. |
1ain is paramount. What belongs to
ature belongs to the people and water
J heritage of the sovereign people OF
be land.
Van Dyke OF San Diego spoke in favor
t the private prop perty view of water.
Judge PuterbauRh spoke in defense OF
he Sweetwater Dam company. and
aid that the people would be
ahmed if companies could not
g induced to build dams.
he proposed expression of opinion on