The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1895-03-28

One of the responsible duties of
the last session of the legislature was
the enactment of needed irrigation
laws. Three bills were passed cover
ing this important SUBJECTIVE joint
irrigation bill, by Cunningham, pro-
viding means of accepting the gift of
1000, 600 acres of arid land under
the Carey act from the federal gov
eminent, and two measures providing
for the organization of irrigation dis
tricts, system of water measurement
and the fixing of water rates in GER
tain emergencies by the district court.
The law providing for the organiza-
ton of districts, commonly known as
the Daily bill, follows the lines of the
famous Wright law of California.
The following is a synopsis of it,
Fifty majority, of the land holders in given
section may propose organization of irrigation dis
trct by presenting petition to the board of county
commissioners of the county in which the greatest
portion of the land is situated.
The petition must be accompanied by a map and
description OF the boundaries of the proposed
district. The map show the location of all canals
proposed which might be situated within the dis
trct If the water supply be from natural sources the
How of the must be stated In of cubic
per of time II the water supply is to be
gathered reservoirs the map shall show the
location give the capacity in feet and the
map shall be drawn to scale of two inches to the
mile The mode of construction and capacity in cubic
feet of proposed canals must also be shown Cross
canals be drawn to scale of 10 feet
inch and be certified to by competent
irrigation engineer
The petition must be accompanied by bond in twice
the amount of the probable cost of organizing the
district. Notice of petition shall be published in
newspaper within each county affected at least three
weeks prior to organization. Where not otherwise
petitioned the district shall be divided into five div
ions and director from each division shall be
elected by the residents thereof at the election
which is held for determining whether the district
shall be organized or not
On the second Tuesday in January, 1897, and each
second year thereafter collector and treas
and board of directors for each district shall be
elected whose term of Office shall begin the first
Tuesday in February, following.
The board Of directors has the to conduct the
business OF the district, establish equitable bylaws
and regulations for the distribution and of water.
expressly provided, however, that all waters dis
tributed for irrigation purposes shall be apportoned
rataby to each upon the basis the ratio
which the possessed by each land bears to
the entire area of the district
For the purpose Of raising money for the construc
ton of canals and bitches, the district may order
bond issue for such provided twohirds of the
voters within the district consent.
By special provision in the parties adverse
a bond issue may demur through the medium of the
district The interest the bonds is to be paic
by special tax levy to be authorized by the board OF
directors.
There numerous other provisions regulating il
detail all matters relating elections and management
of the district
The measure rs originally presented contained pro
vision the condemnation of canals and reservoir
which any district might desire TO purchase. This
eliminated. However, IL arrangements be mad,
with the owners bonds be oated for the purchase
of canals reservoirs.