Arizona republican., 1893-10-04
Proclamation by the Gov.
0rnOr.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,


WHEREAS, There will be convened at Los
Angeles, California, on the 10th day OF October,
1898. and remain in session for FIVE days, an
International Irrigation Congress, at which
leading irrigationists of the United States, Eu-
rope, Asia and Australia will be present, and at
which number of important questions relat-
ing to irrigatio law, irrigation securities, rr-
CATION methods, ETC., will be discussed and de-
termined.
The i'm pOrtance of this congress has received
recognition from the national government in a
circular letter issued by the Hon. Walter O.
Gresham secretary of state. dated July 7th
1898, inviting the attendance of representatives
from ali foreign governments interested in the
subject OF irrigation. The department of the
interior will be represented by an officer spe-
clally detailed to impart to the congress such
information as may be in the possession of the
government, obtained by surveys which have
been carried on for several years by the United
States geological survey under and by direction
of the government.
As delegates will be present from all the
states and territories where irrigation is car
ried on, and from foreign countries, where
this mode OF agriculture has been expert
mented with for years, the discussions will
prove of the highest practical value to every
citizen interested in the development of Ari-
zona
There is no question which presents itself to
the western half of the United States, espe-
cially to our own section, which is of greater
importance and franght with more moment
GUS results than tt e solution of the arid land
problem. 1t means the reclamation of many
million acres of land, the employment of thou
sands of people, and the providing of my RAIDS
of families with farms and homes, resulting in
the production of untold wealth.
Our people can point with pride to the
wonderful results which have been achieved
by irrigation within our own borders, in the
reclamation of over half million acres of
land and the contemplated reclamation of q
million more in the immediate future. This is
enough to inspire enthusiastic hope in the
possibilities of Arizona's horticultural and
agricultural resources, and should serve to ex
cite the deepest interest of our citizens in this
congress.
The congress will no doubt discuss and by
resolution adopt and recommend to the con-
gress of the United States policy by which
these lands may be most easily reclaimed
Such policy if simple, practical, and involv-
ing little or no cost to the federal government,
will in all pro liability be crystalized into ma
tional law, and it may be that the states and
territories comprised in the arid section will be
given the reclamation of these lands.
Now, therefore, l, L. C. Hughes, governor OF
the Territory of Arizona, do hereby request and
urge the the people of the territory to interest
themselves in the coming congress, both by the
discussion of the subject and recommending to
the proper officials the selection and appoint
ment of delegates specially qualified to present
the views of our people on the irrigation inter
ests of Arizona, and by their practical expe
rience to assist in bringing the deliberations to
asuccessful conclusion.
In witness whereof, 1 have hereunto
set my hand and caused the great
seal of the Territory to be affixed al
[SEALl Phoenix, this the eleventh dav Of
September, in the year of our LORD
one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-three.
L. c. HUGHES,
Attest Governor.
C.M BRUCE, Secretary of the Territory