The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-18

Phoenix, Ariz., Dec. 1.-THE last day
of the fifth session of the National Ir-
rigation Association congress was a
busy one. and many important matters
were disposed of.
The congress convened at 10 o'clock
this morning. with representatives
from &c states and territories.
Judge Van Dyke of California ad-
dressed the congress on forestry. In
a forcible speech he pleaded for laws
protecting the forests of arid America.
He advocated the enactment of laws
protecting the forests from fires, and
prescribing severe penalties for the
careless or malicious starting of fires
in the vast timber tracts of the coun-
try. He suggested district police pa
trolls as the best means for protecting
the forest lands.
When Judge Van Dixie had con-
cluded the chairman read a letter from
President-elect Mckinley. expressing
regret for inability to attend the con-
gress and rendering his best wishes
for its success. The convention enthu-
siastically applauded the reading of
the letter.
The official reports from the various
states were then read.
Utah showed wonderful progress in
irrigation matters.
The report of Arizona showed the
largest increase of any of the states
and territories. reporting on irrigation
and irrigating enterprises, tand the del
egates expressed their admiration for
the great progress which has been
made in recent irrigating the arid lands
in this territory.
BRIGHAM YOUNG ELOQUENT.
Brigham Young of Titan, a son of the
great Mormon leader addressed the
congress by special request. He spoke
eloquently of the advantages that have
been derived from the former sessions
of the congress and prephesied a bright
future Cor the great west when its
arid wastes shall have been trans
formed into prosperous farming COM
munities. He described, in a graphic
manner, the early struggles of the
Mormons in Utah: the construction of
their homes, and the first attempts at
irrigation under most adverse condi-
tons. and compared the arid wastes of
territory of those days with the beauti-
full state OF Utah today, Astounding in
immense irrigation canals constructed
on the most scientific principles. and
at an expense OF millions of dollars
His speech was one of the best deliv-
cred at this session of the congress.
DR.. Chapin of Illinois described the
irrigation improvements now being
carried out successfully in Illinois. and
Mr.. Frost of Minnesota recounted the |
experiments now being made with ir-
riSation in his state, and the highly |
satisfactory results that are being OBJ
tanned therefrom.
Election of officers for the ensuing /
year resulted as follows:
Chairman, L. r. Moses of Kansas: |
first vice-chairman, Brigham Young of i
Utah; second vice-chairman, E. ~ |
r.e
Heintz of California; national lecturer. |
Judge j. L. Emory OF Kansas: as
sistant national lecturer, l. A Ford of |
Nebraska; secretary, L. B. Brainerd of |
Connecticut.
LINCOLN COMES NEXT.
The selection of a place for the meet
ing of the next annual session of the
congress was then discussed.
Professor Bell of Texas made a
strong plea for FL Paso as the next
place of meeting.
Governor Holcomb of Nebraska.
through Judge Woolfenburgar of that
state, extended a cordial invitation TO
the congress TO hold its next congress
IN that state. and an invitation was
also read from the mayor and city
council of Lincoln.
Colonel Howett of Washington pre-
sented WashingtOn's claims for recog-
milton, and John Henderson of Arizona
represented the interests of Knoxville
Tenn. After some discussion a vote
was taken and Lincoln. Neb. was
chosen by an overwhelming majority.
The selection of Lincoln as the place
for holding the next annual meeting
concluded the morning session.
Al the afternoon session General
ONell of Arizona made stirring ad-
dress, criticiZing severely the action of
the irrigation congress so far for fail
ure to form a plan Of action. and TOO
much discussion. He proposed a bill
1of enactment by the national congress
providing for the aid of the federal
government in the reclamation of arid
lands. The bill proposes that the gov
eminent shall loan to each of the arid
states and territories 81. 600. 900 per an
mum Tor ten years. 10 he returned bv.
the states from the sale of land re-
claimed by the expenditure of this :
money.
Mr. Brainerd Of Connecticut rendered
his resignation as treasurer. and a
aibby of Rhode island was elected 10
that office.
The committee on resolutions ex.
tended hearty thanks TO the citizens Of
Phoenix for the hospitality accorded ;
the delegates during their visit to the !
,ity.
Senator Murphy of Arizona offered {
he following resolution:
FOR THE INDIANS.
Whereas. The Pima and Maricopa
indian tribes. numbering in the aggre 5
gate 10000 souls. have been deprived of /
he water used by them in the irriga- E
ion of their lands before the advent of Z
he white race in America through tbe I
he appropriation of such waters bv
settlers on the headwaters Of the ella
liver: and,
Whereas. Through the loss of such
faters. the lands once cultivated by these ;
ribes have become barren and worthless s.
md the members of such tribes have he 6
ome charge of the government. and i
re forced by the loss of their fields INTO 9
ives Of degradation and penury. and. ?
Whereas. Such tribes nave been from y
ne earliest days the friends and allies "
4 the white race. and, n
Whereas, The people of the United b