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

States have pledged themselves by solemn
treaty to protect such tribes in their prop
erty and rights; and
whereas. The government of the
United States has been and now is. en-
gagged in the expenditure of hundreds OF
thousands of dollars for the construction
OF works of irrigation for the reclamation
of lands belonging to other Indian tribes;
therefore be ii
Resolved, That this congress do ap-
prove the proposed construction under
me plans of the United states geological
survey OF the ButteS reservoir in P.ral
county, Arizona, recently reported. to
again reclaim the lands Of these tribes,
believing that by so doing can the gov
eminent alone redeem the broken pledges
made by il to these people, and thus
preserve from furthr want and degrada-
tlon two of the few surviving lncian
tribes of the American continent that
have always been the constant friends
OF the white race.
Resolved, That We approve the pro-
posed construction of such reservoir, not
only as just and philanthrop:c. but as
economy and good policy, as II a COM
parafively short time the annual expense
of maintaining such Indians IS a govern
ment charge will far exceed the cost of
the irrigation works required to make
them self-supporting and self-respecting
community"
THE WRIGHT LAW.
The following resolutions in reference
to the Wright irrigation law were sub
mitted for consideration:
Whereas, The consttutionality of the
irrigation district law of California
known the Wright law, las been
finally established by the decision of the
United States court, and the power Of
states to construct public systems of ir-
rigation, either by general taxation or
the creation of local Improvement dis
tricts, and TO make use of water Tor ir-
rigauon and public use mas bean eStab-
lished beyond question for all time; and,
Whereas, All who are interested in
= .-,-s. -. rid
lands of this country recognize the i'm
portance and affirm the underlying prin-
ciples of the Wright act; that laws
should be enacted which will enable the
owners of land TO own and control the
water required for its irrigatio so that
the land and water should go inseparably
together forever; and.
Whereas, Where the provisions of the
Wright act have been followed and equit-
ably and honestly administered. it has &C
complished results hoped for 1t, and the
districts so organized and operated have
given to the landowners benefits COM
mensurate 10 the burdens imposed and
to investors an assured security; but
Whereas in the practical operation of
the law its Irregularities. entailing COM
plications and hardships. have arisen
which have impaired the beneficial re-
suits which the law proposes to accom-
ol.sh: and.
larities. complications and hardships
which have arisen under them may be
avoided in the future by the action of
the state board of control to supervise
the organization and operation of the
irrigation districts and by a conservative
policy in amending the statute by en-
bodying in its provisions checks and safe
guards which will give the fullest pro-
lection to both the landholder and the
bondholder; and
Whereas. it is impossible that the |
benefits which may be obtained under |
the law can be fully recognized until the
experiences which have come from its |
practical operations in California shall |
have been thoroughly investigated and |
and the defects that have de- |
developed shall have been remedied by |
careful and thorough legislation: and,
Whereas. we believe that it is i'm |
possible for the members of the legisla-
ture in the brief time allotted to them
for the discharge of their duties and |
the haste and pressure under which they |
must labor to acquire the necessary |
familiarity with the many intricate and |
difficult legal. financial and engineering
be it,
Resolved. that all the obstacles which
low stand in the way of the successful
operation of the irriga ton district sss-.
EN- can be best removed in those states
where 1t is desired TO operate under its law,
and IN California especially, by dele
ga ting the whole subject to a. state COM
mission for a sufficient length o. time TO
enable them TO give to the matter
most thorough investigation of existing
|
for suggestions and objections,
30 that the statute may be so amended
hat we may get the full benefit of the
light of the experiences of ten years of
practical operation-a light which was
lot before the original trainers of the
aw. who were pioneering in a new, field
and that the law may be so modified
hat it will unite as far as possible all
he people of the districts and of the
state, in an earnest effort to achieve the
purpose of the law and enjoy its fruits,
md to give the fullest protection to
Individual property rights, and the most
Ibsolute security to investors. And we
would further recommend that in Cali
ornia, and in any other state where it
nay be necessary. there should be a con-
titutional amendment under which all
'oting in irrigating districts may be
United 10 actual resident landowners,
md an assessment be made and coll ;
ected by the county assessor and tax
oilectors and proceeds of bond sales be :
deposited in the state treasury until dis ,
cursed by the district" !
After some discussion the congress
dopted the resolutions and adjourned {
inc die. I