Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1895-02-21
TO DOWN THISTLES.
CONFERENCE OF NORTHWESTERN
DELEGATES IN ST. PAUL.
Representatives From Wisconsin,
Iowa, Nebraskn, North Dakota,
and Minnesota Attend the Conven-
uon-StrOng Resolutions Adopted.

the Russian thistle was fred at the
state house, when a dozen gentlemen
representing five of the greatest agri-
cultural states of the Union met In the
supreme court chamber at the state
capitol. and the first meeting of the
Russian thistle interstate commission
was called TO order for the purpose of
deviSing ways and means to rid the
country of the noXfous weed so threat
ening to agriculture.
After a full day spent in elaboration
the convention adopted resolutions ap-
pealing to the legislatures of those
states infested by the foreign pest.
The convention was organized by the
selection of Senator Il. J. Jones of
Minnesota rs chairman and Repre-
sentative John ]. Lamborn of Nebras-
ka as secretary. The forenoon was
taken up with the reading of papers
on the subject of the determination OF
tie thistle, the conditions under which
II thrives, etc, by Prof. Dewey. ex-
Congressman Wilson of Iowa, Prof.
Laughlin Of North Dakota, and Prof.
Hays, of the state university.
Resolutions Adopted.
The committee on resolutions pre-
scented the following memorial to he
sent to the governors of the various
states infested by the Russian thistle
and to the national congress-, which
was adopted as read:
1--WE, the delegates Of Minnesota,
Iowa, Wisconsin, Nebraska and North
Dakota, in convention assembled to
consider methods of eX~terminating the
Russian thistle, to be reported to the
governors of our respective states, and
to memOrialiZing the congress OF the
United States, beg to recommend the
following:
L the Governor Of -
"WhereaS, The Russian thistle, a for
eign plant recently imported into the
United States, has extended from the
DakOtas to California or the west. TO
New York State on the east, and from
the 34th parallel on the north render
ing valueless for purposes Of agricul-
ture extensive areas of our common
territory. 1t has been carried in every
direction by the railways, in stock and
grain cars and by other means of car
rying. 1t is rapidly spreading from the
lines Of transportation to C cultivated
farms, open prairie, public common,
and highway. 1t has already become
so threatening from its wide distribu-
ton that its eradication has gone be-
yond the power of the individual and
the state, and without the prompt CO.
operation Of the general government,
and immediate, united efforts from all
concerned. it will be impossible to era
icate it. 1t is fast reaching the semi
arid regions OF the West and South
west upon lands owned by the federal
government, where, IL once estab-
liShed, 1t will continue to pollute all
sections of the Union. 1t has already
destroyed farms, ruined homes, driven
citizens into exile and greatly dimin-
ished the products of our fields, esti-
mated by millions Of dollars.
therefore, Be 1t Resolved by this
convention, That we urge upon the
governors of the several states here
represented, the necessity for prompt
and vigorous action to repel this for
eign invasion upon u greatest OF nil
industries, that Of agriculture. To
that end we would respectfully sug-
gest that the attention of III legisla-
tive bodies be called to this matter by
special message from your eXcellency.
Concerted Action.
"And be it further resolved by this
convention, That sc deeme it advis-
able and necessary that the legisla-
lures Of the several states here inter-
ested shall adopt joint resolutions to
be forwarded to the governors Of all
the states Of the Union, urging con-
certed action upon the lines of destruc-
ton, and preventing distribution Of
said thistle. And
Resolved, further: First, That all
owners OF real property be required
to clear their one premises of this
weed; second, that where such under
taking shall become of such magnitude
and cost as to be beyond the financial
capacity Of such owners Of real estate,
Their we believe that the character and
habits of this weed justify and require
the appropriation of public money to
assist in such undertaking, and we can
not resist the temptation TO add that
the necessity for prompt, vigorous and
immediate action is now upon us.
Resolved, further, That the atten-
| tion OF congress be called to, the terri
be affliction now experienced from
the above causes, by the states here
represented, ard which threaten the
entire agriculture resources of the ma
ton and. incidentally, all other inter
ests, and in self-rrotectiCr we request
that immediate action be taken where
by all lands which remain in the ma
tional government, including aban-
doned lands, shall be cleaned and
taken care of at government expense.
Resolved, further, That, in our
| opinion, the conditions prevailing in
some OF the states afflicted are such
that the national government must
render direct assistance to the people
In connection with their state govern
ments. by appropriation Of public
money, IL decisive battle be given to
| this common enemy to all material
prosperity"
Another session will be held and a
general bill prepared.
Thistle Fix EN-.