Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1894-09-03
IRRIGATION MEETING.
Third National Congress to As
 semble at Denver.
LARGEST EVER HELD OF THE KIND

Several States Have Been Diligently at
 Work Preparing Plans to Present to
 Congress For Consideration Different States Will Be Urged to Pass Local
 Laws RscIaiming Arid Lands.
 DENVER, Sept. 3.-The Third National Irrigation congress, which opens Tn Denver this morning, will be one of the most interesting and important gatherings of its kind ever held in this country.
 The first irrigation congress was called by Governor Thomas and assembled in Salt Lake City. Utah, in September, 1884, many eminent men being among the delegates. The sole purpose of this convention was to consider the eession of lands to the states, and after debate covering several days the congress de- clared in favor of cession by unani- nous vote.
 Of still greater importance was the second congress held last October in Los
 
 ing there were created large number of state irrigation commissions for the purpose of creating public sentiment and securing thorough canvass of pub lie opinion. This congress also adopted an address to the people of the United States and which contained the follow ing clause:
 1.-The result of the investigations of these several commissions shall be sub mitted to the next Irrigation congress at time to be designated by the execu- tive committee, not exceeding one year hence, and upon these reports the final and definite declaration of the people of the western states and territories may be based. By this means we hope, within reasonable time, to suggest a satisfactory irrigation policy to the na- tion and to the states and territories, and we hereby declare our purpose to erect it upon broad foundations of jus tice and equality and with due regard to the rights of labor and capital"
 Among the states and territories whose commissions have been the most active are Nevada, California, Kansas, Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado. New Mex ico, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Washington, Utah and Arizona. The reports which they will present will deal not only with the question of na- tional policy. but also with local laws, which, 1t is hoped, may be made com mon to all the states.
 Hence it is that this congress will mark the culmination of years of effort in organizing public sentiment in favor of comprehensive plans for the reclaima- ton and settlement of arid lands of the United States. Foreibe words on this poiat were spoken by Hon. William K. Smythe of Chicago, editor of the Irriga- ton Age and chairman of the national executive committee. He said: "There are many important reasons why this congress should be the object of the livelist interest to all western men. It will assemble at what is likely to prove the most opportune moment in the his tory of the country for effective work in the interest of irrigation progress. We are in the midst of an extraordinary period of depression. We have recently beheld the strange spectacle of 1000 Of it's idle men marching upon the capital to 1a4o arld co,,aa ecr% f ral;nF Tx and in industry there is accommodating evidence of popular discontent and un- rest. There is now no citizen of the United States, however conservative he may be by nature, who does not recog- nize the needs of some new impulse in our industrial life and the need of new outlet for idle energies and surplus pop ulation. We have had periods of de- pression before, but vast unoccupied public domain has always served as safety valve. Today, when the pressure seems more severe than ever before, and when our institutions seem fairly brought to the test, as foretold in Mac auley's remarkable prediction, there is.  no outlet unless the arid lands are to be speedily reclaimed by some form of en- terprise either public or private. Last year irrigation may have been western fad; today 1t is a great national neces- sity. Last year it was the price of western prosperity; today it is perhaps the price of peace and safety for national industries
 The proceedings of the congress, in- cluding trips to irrigations works and farms in the districts adjacent to Den yer, will occupy the entire week. Elab- crate arrangements for the comfort and entertainment of the delegates have been made by local committee headed by Hon. E. w. Merritt. Headquarters of the executive committee were opened this morning at the Brown Palace hotel. A large number of delegates have al- ready arrived and tomorrow the rush will be on in earnest.
 Killed by 8 BoardeR.
 NEW YoRK. Sept 3.-AIrs. Jobanana Hoffman, s6 years old, was murdered