Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1894-09-21
Farmer Wallace Writes from Denver
Of Irrigation Congress as He
Saw It.
Plans Proposed and Discussed
Practical Results as Evidenced
in Colorado.
Various Items of Local News Picked
Up In and Round the Capt.
tai City.


ing communication from Farmer" Wal
lace, the we'll known North Dakotan,
who was a delegate to the irrigation
congress at Denver, representing this
state. The Farmers letter is interesting,
he having been on the ground floor of
all the discussions, and his summary and
estimates of the value of the work done,
will be interesting. He writes as follows:
"The main issue was national and
state control VS.. cession to states, and
in the debates the advocates on both
sides we're equally determined to protect
the home-seeking actual settler, and
some went so far in this matter as to
seek to limit the allowance of land-arid
land at that-to forty acres. To this I
entered a protest. The home-seeker of
to-day must go farther back into the
country, away from settlement and rail-
roads; farther down the streams where
he will find less water and more expense
to procure it, and instead of reducing
the allowance, it should be increased and
certainly not less than 100 acres should
constitute a homestead in the arid belt.
eff I read the sentiment of the people
who live in the arid region, by the ex-
%pressions of the delegates to this conven-
tionrthey want the government to enter
upon, the work of redemption more
zealously and more literally. The states
and territories embraced in the arid and
sub-arid belt have done much to assist
in redemption, and will do more. All
they ask is for the government to bring
all its forces to bear on this region. to
take the lead and they will follow.
"The citizens Of Denver, and other
CITIES of ~Colorado-by excursions-plac-
ed before the convention object lessons
in irrigation and home building in the
once great American desert, that will
never be forgotten. In no part of our
country has the work of the pioneer
been SO hard, or performed under greater
disadvantages, and in no part does the
VI AoOoA appeal ~ No Sl0dLC1 VI
more remarkable. During thirty years
on the frontier, I have often listened to
old pioneers of Minnesota, the Dakotas
and farther west tell of the deprivations
and toll of early settlements, and I
thought they we're the greatest martyrs.
But after visiting among the pioneers Of
the arid belt, I think to them
belongs the head of column
in the grand army of west
ern pioneers. They have performed
wonders. There cities, hamlets, homes,
improved fields and orchards are
the work of only forty years. Truly
monuments of their own building to
their own glory The citizens of Den
YER have spared no time, labor or ex-
pense to entertain the convention, and
forward its work, and the three great
daily papers, the Times-Sun, the News
and the Republican, have been IN the
front rank of good counselors and help
ers.
'The labors of the convention are not
over. It has transferred It's work to the
feld-to Washington, to the several
states and territories represented.
During the coming winter the in
infence Of those who are in this work
will be felt throughout the country.
II regret that a larger delegation was
10 present from North Dakota. 1t is
true our state cannot avail itself
of irrigation under present conditions.
But the settlement and development of
the arid region in states that surround
us will contribute much to our develop
ment and prosperity. They need the
help of South Dakota representation at
Washington-and have reason to expect
it.
"The convention confirmed my nom
ination of Hon. Alfred Diekey, of James,
town, as vice-president also that of Cap
tain I. P. Baker of Bismarck as member
of national executive committee. Both
OF the gentlemen are we'll equipped by
travel over the arid country, and by OK:
perience among it's people to fill those
positions and I trust they will accept
and get in touch with the committee.
and proceed to business at the earliest op-
portunity.
Thanking you for the honor conferr-
ed by your commission I will close by
expressing the hope that through this
convention and similar-both national
and statet-the great northwest will be-
come greater, and the great west will
o equal the great east in all things
that contribute to make the United
States the greatest nation.on earth.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
j. F. WALLACE, Sr.
Denver, Col, September II, 1894.
Ladies Interested.
The women Of Burleigh county are
interested in the matter Of election this
tall, to q greater extent than two years
ago. At that time, no ballot box was
provided for the voters Of the gentle