Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-09-17
THE SOUTH A RIVAL.
IN THE WAY OF SECURING CoLoNI-
zATIoN-noARD OF InRIGA-
TIoN ESTABLISHED.
Judge Ross Decision ON the wrigh,
Law May Cause Wholesale
Calamity and Loss.

Albuquerque, N. NJ, Sept. 16-The
Fourth National Irrigation congress
opened here today with large attend
ance, Kansas. Texas. Nebraska. Okla
homa, Colorado, Utah, California and
Arizona being represented. Delegates
are also represented from Mexico and
Canada.
William II. smythe, chairman OF the
national executive committee, address,
ed the convention as follows:
In spite OF its origin, the time has
already come when we may speak of
the irrigation cause as great in the
arduous greatness of things done
Since we last assembled the Irrigation
movement of Kansas. OF Nebraska and
Of Texas has triumphed in effective
legislation. By legal enactment the
men OF the plains have recognized that
irrigation west of the Tooth meridian Is
fundamental to agricultural prosperity.
No man can overestimate the signih-
canoe of that recognition. 1t means a
new Kansas a new Nebraska, a new
Texas. 1t means sure crops and indus
trial Independence, small farms and
social opportunities.
Since the adjournment OF the Denver
convention the cause OF irrigation has
been systematically presented to in
nuential men and newspaper proprie-
tors and TO the public Mt large in great
Eastern centers. Everywhere we have
found four OF the most potential In
Eastern life ready to cooperate with
us OF any broad lines of action which
mas FOR Its object the relief OF the great
pressure oppression and the expennslon
Of greatness. These four elements are.
Ia IL. "a Al.
1, organized labor.
The time is ripe for vast movement
OF population from crowded centers
throughout the world. Colonization is
the watchword Of the hour.
In the United States this 'novemnt
to the North of or to the arid region
- OF the West We cannot deny that
the South Is today our aggressive com
petitor In the matter of new pop4ila-
lion
The passage by congress in August,
1894, of the law granting one million
acres of arid public lands to each of
the desert states called for the enact
ment OF supplementary legislation ana
furnished The occasion for n vigorous
campaign before the legislatures OF
eight states
wyoming, Colorado. Idaho, Montana,
Washington and Nevada accepted the
grant OF one million acres each. and
~ NNNNtlN ANtNhhA IibNluth AnDFODll0-
lions and an administrative machinery
TO render the grant immediately oper-
alive.
IN oregon vigorous effort was made
TO the same end. but was defeated mar
rowly In the closing hours of the legls-
latlvc session,
The laws enacted accepting the Carey
grant mark n new era In our western
statesmanship. Without execution
they recognize the right and due of
the slate to supervise and control the
reclamation of public lands and the
use OF public waters. Without excep-
ton they fix the maximum price at
which such lands and attaching water
rights shall be sold and without ex-
oeptlon they provide for the ultimate
ownership by the people of Irrigation
works.
one OF the most encouraging develop-
ments OF the past year was the action
of Secretary Smith of the interior and
secretary Morton OF the agricultural
department in countenancing the form
alton on the part OF number OF spec
lanstS In their respective bureaus of
the body known as "The Board of Ir-
rigatlon, Executive Departments
The conspicuous irrigation statute in
the United States is the district law
IN california. In connection with this
law there has recently occurred mn
event of approaching Importance 10
both the economic and palctire of ir
rigaton. 1 refer to the decision of
Judge Ross in the United States dis
trlct court at Los Angeles to the effect
mat the Wright law is unconstitu-
tional and the billions OF securities
which have been issued In complIance
with its provisions are invalid. II this
decision be accepted in Its fun force
and meaning, II Is a calamity of the
largest proportions. 1t would destroy
IN breath the usefulness OF great
systems OF canals which have been
wholly or partially constructed; would
plunge In chaos the Industrial maohln-
cry or large and thiclSly peopled dis-
tricts and would give TO Irrigation in
general a bad repute in financial circles
scarcely 60 be outlived In a generation
u remains to be seen whether The
United states supreme court will con-
ilrm the astounding decision OF Judes
Ross, Tho best legal opinion nnpar-
entity believes that 1t will. 1 believe
! express the sentiment, not only or
this congress, but OF the men OF the
Arid America throughout It's lensth
and breadth when say that the hold.
ers of the aforesaid securities need moi
fear the loss OF their Investment
whatever the Anal legal status OF the
case. '"S