Arizona weekly citizen., 1893-11-18
STATEHOOD AND IRRIG ALTON.
Resolutions Adopted by the Late
 Deming Convention

Deming Convention The following resolutions, in part compiled by pr. Comstock of the univer-
 sity, were endorsed by the irrigation con. vention at Deming.
 To the citizens of the southwest:
 The Southwestern Irrigation conven- tion, held at Demlng, New Mexico, Nov. ' and s, 1893, respectfully submits to your thoughtful consideration the following statement of facts:
 l. The question of the admission of
 the territories of Arizona and New Mexico, as states of the union is one far
 removed from partisan politics and
 should hereafter be urged upon higher
 grounds, among which are the follow
 ing:
 First, the wholly inadequate means
 now available for the prosecution
 of business enterprises. such as compre-
 hensive irrigation projects, mining and
 metallurgic undertaking of wide scope,
 ana the numerous concomitant indus
 tries which together affect vitally the
 moral and social welfare of our people
 not less than our national progress.
 Second, it is fact we'll known to our citizens that vast sums of idle capital are available for our needs whenever We
 can place upon a secure basis such investments as may legitimately be founded upon the public honor and good faith, supported by the assets which 1t has been demonstrated that we possess. This pecuniary resource is now beyond our reach simply by reason oe our foof Of power to tortify our con- tracts by legislative action as in the several states.
 Third, the boundaries of the states and territories being established by natural or artificial lines not ln any sense dependent upon the distribution, or our water supplies and the south west being in great measure interested in the adjustment of questions arising from the utilization of waters in the natural channels not lying wholly in one state or territory, it is absolutely essential that we should be able to litigate upon terms of strict equality with our neighbors on all sides. This is impossible under territorial form of government. as we have not the rights of states to be heard in the United States courts.
 Fourth, the arid lands within our borders belonging to the United States are now subject to sale and use, and worse than this, the waters available for irrigation are subject to diversion with out our control or consent, and thus the conditions which most nearly con- cern even our future existence as con- monwealths are beyond our own control ln large degree. The admission of the territories as states will materially change all these hIndrances to advance ment, and we emphatically urge the placing cf these vital considerations within the province of the citizens whose lives and fortunes are devoted to the upbullding of the civic divisions we represent.
 II. The international irrigation con gress which met in Los Angeles in October, 1893, has wisely proposed plan of organization for each and all of the states and territories interested m these great questions, and we respect fully advise and strongly urge the citizens of the south western common weaiths represented in the present coa- vention to cordially unite with the state to be appointed by ths national executive committee of said congress, to supplement the work of these local commissions ard of the southwestern convention by calling public meetings in each stat- and territory and by contribution of funds and effort toward the further snce of the the great common cause of irrigation.
 III. It is the sense of this conven- ton that whatever views may be en- tertained by individuals or communities the manner of bestowing nat onal aid to the arid region, some | plan must eventually be adopted by | which practically all the proceeds of | ,he sale If lands within the borders of | sach state in this vast tract may accrue | 10 the benefit of said lands, and also | hat some provision must be made | whereby the national waters of this 'egion shall become equitably available or the irrigation of the lands without | power of control of large quantities for imited areas. In brief, We demand that | he rights and needs of home-makers hall be respected first of all and for all inc to come.