The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-09-08
TALKING IRRIGATION
Third National Congress Convenes
in Denver.
PERMANENT OFFICERS CHOSEN
Two Hundred Delegates Representing
Seventeen States In Attendance
MOrton's Sc0rtchi0g Letter.

DENVER, Sept. 2-The third national
irrigation congress convened today.
About 200 delegates, representing II
states and territories, we're present, be-
sides representatives from Canada,
Russia, Mexico and other foreign
countries. William E. Smythe, chair
man of the national executive commit.
tee, delivered the opening address.
Governor Waite. Mayor Van Horn
aud President Byers of the chamber Of
commerce welcomed the guests.
Ex-Governor Prince of Iowa intro
duced resolution giving every person
who has come to the convention the
right to participate, regardless Of the
representation fixed by the Los An
geles convention. It was referred to
the committee on credentials. Hon.
L. @. Cannon of Salt Lake was unani-
mously chosen temporary chairman.
On reassembling the committee on
credent ials submitted resolution
which was adopted to the effect that
each state and territory represented be
entitled to its full vote and that all
persons appointed by any authority be
permitted voice in determining how
the vote of his state shall he cast.
Permanent Officers.
The appointment of committees on
permanent organization, resolutions
and rules and order of business, each
consisting of delegate from each state
and territory, was the next business
transacted. After q short recess the
committee on permanent organization
recommended for permanent officers of
the congress, Edward Mead. Wyom.
ing, president; John G. Foster, Kansas,
first vice president; Thomas L. Smith,
Colorado, secretary; A. M. West, Cali
fornia, first assistant secretary; H. V.
Hinckley. Kansas. second assistant
secretary. Vice. presidents from each
state and territory were named and the
report was unanimously adopted.
Several resolutions we're introduced,
which were referred to the committee
without debatc-one by Price of Texas,
who asked that congress be requested
to appoint, and also to ask the republic
of Mexico to appoint. an irrigation
commission for the purpose of agreeing
on division of the waters of the Rio
Grande. Dennis OF Canada asked that
Canada be included in the resolution,
which was agreed to. Tonight reports
Of several state commissioners were
heard, to the exclusion of other busi-
ness.
Morton Sends q ScorchIng Letter.
The delegates were stirred up by the
receipt of the following letter from J.
Sterlirg Morton, commissioner of
agriculture. He paid his respects to
the convention as follows: 1.-THE ques-
lions considered by irrigation conven-
tons have nothing 10 do with practical
irrigation. They amount simply to
the coming together Of body Of citi.
zers for the purpose Of petitioning
congress for grants Of lands and cession
of whatever control or ownership the
general government may have of the
waters of the arid region" A delegate
said the letter was an insult to the con-
vention and he moved that the docu-
ment lie returned to Washington. J.
E. Leet appeared in the role of peace
maker ana the letter was placed on file.