The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1895-02-21
TO DOWN THISTLES.
CONFERENCES OF NORTHWESTERN
DELEGATES IN ST. PAUL.
Representatives From Wisconsin,
Iowa, Rebraska, North Dakota,
and Minnesota Attend the
u~on-Strong Resolutions Adopted.

III Il campaign OF extefLnlnatl0n against
the Russian thistle was fired 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
vas called to order for the purpose of
deviSing ways and means to rid the
country Of the nOXiouS weed so threat
ening TO agriculture.
After n full day spent in deliberation
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 T.. J. Jones Of
Minnesota as chairman and Repre-
sentative John j. Lamborn of NeDras-
ka as secretary. The forenoon was
taken up with the reading of papers
on the subject of the determination of
the thistle, the conditions under which
1t 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-
sented the following memorial to be
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 exterminating the
Russian thistle, to be reported to the
governors of our respective states, and
TO memorializing he congress OF the
United States, beg to recommend the
following:
$40 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 or the east, and from
the Bath 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 und South
west upon lands owned by the federal
government, where, if once estab-
lished, 1t will continue to pOllute all
sections Of the Union. 1t has already
destroyed farms, ruined homes, drivcn
citizens into exile and greatly dimin-
ished the products Of our fields, eSti-
mated by millions of dollars.
Therefore, Be 1t Resolved by his
convention, That we urge upon the
governors of h several states here
represented, the necessity for prompt
and vigorous action to repei this f0c.
eign invasion upon our greatest OF al
industries, that of agriculture. To
that end we would respectfully sug-
gest that the attention of u legisla-
tive bodies be called to this matter by
special message from our eXceilency.
Concerted Action.
"And be it further resolved by this
convention, That we 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
20 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,
then 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 nov upon us.
Resolved, further, That the atten-
ton Of congress be called to the terri
BILE afliction 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-protecticr VIC 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