Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1895-02-21

In q campaign Of determination againat
the Russian thistle was fired at tllaY
state house, when a dozen gentlemen
representing five of the grcatest agris
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 noxious weed so threat
cning to agriculture.
After full day spent in deliberations
the convention adopted resolutions APP
pealing to tho legislatures Of those
states infested by the foreign pest:
The convention was organized by the
selection of Senator E. J. Jones Of
Minnesota rs chairman and Repre-
sentative John ]. Lamborn Of Nebras5s
ka as secretary. The forenoon was
taken up with the reading of papers
on the subject of the determination or
the thistle, the conditions under which
it thrives. etc, by Prof. Dewey, ex-
Congressman Wilson Of Iowa, Prof.
Iaughlin of North Dakota. and Prot
Hays, of the state university.
Resolutions Adopted.
Lie cOulmlltee on resolutions pre-
sented the following memorial to lie
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 the congress OF the
United States, beg to recommend the:
following:
'TO the Governor Of ------i isS
"Whcreas, The Russian thistle, 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;
i! 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 it's wide distribu-
ton that it's 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, if once estab-
lished, it will continue to pollute all
sections Of the Union. 1t has already
destroyed farms, ruined homes, driven
citizens into exile and greatly DUNN
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 our greatest of all
Industries, that of agriculture. To
that end we would respectfully sug-
gest that the attention of our legisla-
tive bodies be called to this matter by
special message from your excellency.
Concerted Action. HIGH
"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-
csted shall adopt joint resolutions to
he 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,
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 now upon us.
"Resolved, further, That the atten-
ton of congress be called to the terri
BILE affliction now experienced from
the above causes, by the states here
represented, aid which threaten the
entire agriculture resources Of the ma
ton. and, incidentally, all other inter
ests, and in self-protecticr 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 sch
that the national govcr"-len st.
render direct assistance the y i.
in connection with their state so,. i..-
ments, by appropriation OF plb ic4
money, if decisive battle be given to
this common enemy to all material,
prosperity"
Another session will he held and Il,
general bill prepared.
Still No Change.
Dover. Del. Feb 16.-The forty
third ballot was taken for United
States senator to-day, and showed no
change from the vote of yesterday.