Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1895-12-19
A WORD 10 rnOf. MILLS.

The NEWS readily recognizes ihe'
the subject OF irrigation IL one oil Tue
most important affecting the Interests
OF the inhabitants Of this part Of
Amorlca. with lively comprshen'
sion Of what irrigation means ~
factor In the material progress OF the
people, the NEWS also realizes the
necessity for having tho distribution OF
water based upon such a foundation Us
will preserve inviolale the acquired
rights OF irrlgAtop, and will perpotua'e
the system Instituted in these valleys
by the Ploneen--lhat sysiem having
been proved TO DO superior to any
other attempted either here or else
where, since under It the absolute
right 10 the use OF irrigating walter
inhsres In tho owner Of the land upon
which the water IL utilized. By that
means there IL reteryed for the actual
cuItlyator Of the soil an element with
out which, In this locality, cult
walton cannot be successfully carried
on.
Holding pronounced views upon this
subject, because Of it, vital Importance
to existence itself In these valleys, the
NEWS In constrained TO call attention
10 the attitude OF Prof. a. A. Mills, OF
the Cache County Agricultural TO-
ciety and tho Agricultural College
Of Utah. We do 80 In tho kindliest
spirit toward Professor Mills, and In
the sincere hope that he will change
u course which Is alike Injurious
to himselfRnd to tho interests OF Utah,
because Of Its unloading eject upon
those who listen to him. Were II not
that his actions are becoming public
menace we would gladly pass them
by; but our duty to the people de-
mands that the silence the NEWS has
preserved on this particular Su9jscI be
broken.
There IL no question that Mr.. Mills
has the ability to be useful factor In
agricultural education In Utah, In
elusive OF that branch which gives
special attention TO irrigation and
water rights-ihAt 10, II he moves In
the proper path. This ho has not teen
doing, as every well Uniformed person
who has resd his letters and heard
his speeches must have observed.
And since in order 10 be- kind TO
him In pointing out serious fault,
there is no occasion TO minco words or
TO be other than perfectly candid In
this matter, we will state that In our
view the gentleman has practically
assumed this position before the pub
lie,
/. He poses las the leader. insti-
gstor aud chief advocate OF the Idea Of
individual ownership OF water rights In
Utah, rs applied to those who use the
water for irrigation.
2. He decrles AZ enemies to this sys-
tenn, and consequently enemies to the
public welfare, men who may 10
connected with any corporation which
purposes bringing out water for useful
purposes, and also the members OF the
Irrigation association who are trying
to secure legislation that will preserve
the water rights OF the people IN con.
ueclion with the BtSte entity.
3. BY the false position he has rs.
sumOd on these propositions, he has
been able to mislead some who have
listened to his assertions, until there IA
more or less OF division OF sentiment
rs to what legislation is necessary
such diVlsion being 70 serious As to i'm.
pair the prospect Of seeuriHg, confirm.
Ing and maintaining large proportion
Of water rights, present and prospective.
In the state OF Utah,
As to the nrst position, We desire to
call attention TO the fact that Mr.. Mills,s
virtual claim In this respect lie inocr-
rect. lie IL not a leader or representa-
tive Of the Idea Of individual water
rights referred to, nor did ho institute
the plan. That was done, II we mis-.
take not the gentIeman's age, In Utah
before he was born, 10y the Pioneers
certainly nearly halt century before
the gentlomRn's advent IA Utah.
Regarding the second proposition,
sc will state that some OF the very
men he assalls are those who are tho
leaders he would assume to DO.
His assaults upon them we regard
aa an outrage, and his Oft repeated
assertion that these men, some of them
associated Tor nearly nifty years In
building up the System OF water
rights now In vogue, are oper.
Ahng inimicallv to tho best
interests OF the people or to tho per.
pe'uHtion OF that system, 10 piece Of
lmpudouco only tolersble whore
patient iOrbsArNnoe has become n