The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-01-27
a STATE WATER COMMISSION.

. IN the Legislature by MIR. ltOflTnan o
Custer for the purpose of establishing
, departments aud creating a state waite
, commission, The TRIBUNE is inclined tt
, regard the measure with favor.
There are two points of view from
which TO consider the proposed law, one
being that of narrow economy and ii
nudity, and the other that of bold enter,
prise and confidence. The very charac.
ter of the territory embraced within the
boundaries of Montana demands that we
take the latter point of view, and a clear
vision from these commanding heights
inspires the observer with a hope that
the solution of the problem of peopling
this great empire of Montana may be
founu in some such project as that pro-
posed by Mr.. Hoffman's bill.
Briefly stated the plan is as follows:
The state Is to be divided into two de.
partments, the section lying east of the
main range to be known as department
No. |, and that on the west of the range
as department No. >. Four commission
ers are to be appointed by the governor
to manage and direct the construction
Of irrigating canals and to supervise the
distribution of the available waters of
the state. In addition a state surveyor
is to be employed under the direction of
the commission, and the evident pur-
pose of the bill is t. organize Il great
state irrigation scheme with a suitable
working force for the purpose of supply
ing water upon the agricultural lands of
the state to the end that settlers may be
induced to come and occupy them.
If the Legislature is satisfied that every
safeguard can be provided against Job
berry, favoritism and fraud in the opera
ton of the law, it would be difficult to
the state. 1t is the one thing needed to
open up the treasures of the soil, which
are So ~abundautly planted here, and il is
better than having the bitches built by
private enterprise in that a uniform rate
can be established, and every citizen will
feel that he has a personal interest in
the successful working Of the law. The
bill itself is modelled on the Wright law
OF California and has been adapted with
a view to fitting the conditions that exist
in Montana. 1t could be readily amend !
ed TO meet every requirement Of this
state and its people, and there can be
scarcely a doubt that the increased rev
enues from taxes on the agricultural en-
tcrprises that would quickly spring from
the new conditions would more than
Justify the expense which would attend
the putting into force Of this law.
No doubt several amendments will be
suggested while the bill is under discus
sion and there is one in particular which,
It seems to us, should be insisted on.
Section II of the bill provides for the
condemnation Of canals. bitches, etc,
with ii provisD that. when the commits.
sion shall condemn and take any private
water or ditch right already established
or acquired on any stream, they shall
cause to be returned to such person or
persons OF his or their demand, through
his or their bitches, the quantity of
water to which such person or persons
may show himself or themselves entitled,
in which event they shall be entitled to
be perpetual, and shall not be subject to
toll charges"
Such a provision as this would be
manifestly u just and would be certain
to work great mischief. The intent and
purpose Of the law is, or should be, to
place upon an exact equality all users
the waters Of the state. This provis-
ion would grant special privileges to a
few and SO give rise TO a privileged class
"a kind OF water aristocracy. The bill
should not be permitted to pass with
this subtle scheme Of personal advantage
10 those who have already throttled
many Of the principal streams. All their
works must be condemned, appropriated,
and paid for 50 that they s.all hold cy.
the same relation TO the states
water supply as other citizens and pay
the established tolls for the use of water.
Any other Arrangement would be an out
rage and should not be thought Of for a
moment.
The salaries Of $1,000 a year each TO
four commissioners are not too high.
Good men will be needed for these posi-.
tions; men Of sterling character, expert
ence. practical Knowledge and sound
Judgment. They must never he allowed
to a"aenerate into berths for political
hacks.
Made to conform in every particular to
tie reeds of the state this plan should
be pushed through without needless de-
lay. The proposed meeting Of the irri-
convention early in February will
probably have Il tendency to hinder