The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-10-02

Hon. George Q. Cannon and the
other delegates to the National lrrlga-
ton congress just held in Alburquer-
que, New Mexico, has now returned,
and the former has made an official
report of the doings of the convention
and the work accomplished for the fu-
ture good of Utah and the arid west
to Governor West. In this report MI
Cannon touches quite extensively upon
the irrigation conditions of the United
States. The report was only made
public yesterday, and is as follows:
Salt Lake City. Utah, Sept. %, 1895.
My Dear Governor:
You were kind enough to appoint me
a delegate to the fourth National Irri-
cation congress, and according to the
appointment 1 repaired to Albuquer-
que New Mexico, in company with
other gentlemen and ladies, In time to
meet the congress at its opening on
Monday, the 10Th inst. 1t is due to
you that [ should make at least brief
report of the proceedings of that body
Including myself, there were four
teen delegates from Utah, and a large
representation from California, Colo
and Arizona. Idaho and Nevada were
also represented, though the delegates
from these states were few in number
Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Minnesota,
Wisconsin, and even New Jersey, had
representatives there. Strange 20 say,
there was no representation from Wy
oming, Montana, Washington or either
of the DakotaS-states which are all
more or less interested in the subject
l,,zT-
representation at the congress was
very creditable, and those who We're
present took great interest in the pro-
ceedings.
It is remarkable how tie interes; has
grown upon this subject Of irrigation
within a few years. Doubtless the
drouth in Kansas and Nahr Aska, as
well as in states further cast, has con-
tributed to the awakening of interest
in the artificial watering of the earth,
and it seems probable that measures
will be taken in all the semi-arid states
to supplement the rainfall by some
system of irrigation. Indeed, many
who live in the states cast of the Mis-
siSstppi feel that It would be IF great
benefit at certain seasons if they
could arrange for the irrig1ting of
their crops, and that they would be
more likely 70 obtain surer returns
from there fields, orchards and gardens
than by depending entirely upon RAIN
fall. My observation leads me to be-
lieve that in many states east of the
Mississippi, where the sprines and
creeks will admit of the application of
water to the land, 1t will be used in
this way to an extent never before
known, and doubtless with beneficial
results
The subject of storing the waters that
fall in the Winter-what are called the
storm waters-is one that is attracting
a great deal Of attention, and reser-
voirs are being planned and will be
constructed throughout the arid and
semi-arid regions which will require
large amounts of capital to construct
1t gave the delegates from Utah
great pleasure to hear the almost uni
versal expression of approval of Utah's
methods of forming companies free
from bonded Indebtedness for the ir-
rigation of the soil. This fashion. too
which has prevailed in this territory
of combining the ownership of land to
small holdings. appears to meet with
| universal favor, and the example Of
Utah is pointed to as one that ought
to be followed throughout all the arid
and semi-arid regions. 1t was very
gratifying to the delegates to find
Utah credited in this manner. 1t can
truthfully be said that the delegation
from Utah was listened to always with
more than ordinary attention, and re-
! ceived respect and consideration in the
proceedings of the congress. I mention
this, not from any motive of vanity
but that you may understand that the
territory of which you are the chief
executive stands high in the estimation
of the people of the surrounding states
and territories for the example in in
| dustry, thrift and the non-monopoliza-
ton of land which it has given to the
country.
After the close of the congress. ex-
cursions were planned to Phoenix, Ariz.,
and to the Pecos valley. Four of the
members of our delegation went to
! Phoenix, and seven visited the Pecos
valley, which the Pecos Valley I'M
provement and Irrigation company
were very DESTROYS that we should do
as they wished to show us what they
had done in that country. Until we
visited that valley we had no true
conception of the extent of New Mex
ico's resources. 1t is a valley of superb
advantages, possessing a fruitful soil
! an unsurpassed climate, and water suf-
! ficiently abundant to irrigate all the
land within reach. One great advan-
tage, too, that this region possesses
over other parts of New Mexico is the
freedom from racial troubles, there be
ing no old titles on the land and no
Mexican population that will interfere
with the development of the country.
The warmest and kindliest feelings
were expressed by all whom we met
toward Utah and Utah's governor, and
we were charged with kind regards
from prominent people to deliver to
yourself and our citizens.
Thanking you for the honor which
you conferred on me in selecting me as
! a delegate, I remain, very respectfully
GEORGE O. CANNON.
! Hon. Caleb w. West,
| Governor of Utah Territory.