Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-08

Zens. With generosity unequaled, the peo-
pie OF every section OF our country We'd with
each other in doing everything necessary TO
prevent want and suffering. 1t is to be
sincerely hoped that no such calamity will!
again reduce our people to the necessity of
asking or receiving aid from their more
fortunate fellow countrymen; nor is there
occasion to believe that under the influence
of the ordinary laws OF nature they will ever
again be called upon to do So Appreclating
the magnificent generosity OF our fellow
countrymen. displayed in this instance Ne
braska will ever stand ready to extend
helping hand to the unfortunate and suffering
OF mankind wherever they may be found.
DEVELOPMENT OF IRRIGATION.
Many Miles of Ditch AIrendy Dug and
More Under Why.
The drouth has not been without It's les
sons, which will doubtless add much to the
material welfare and permanent prosperity
OF our people. In no state in the union is
the rainfall more uniform, both in time and
amount, nor can the precipitancy of the
moisture be determined with greater
accuracy. In any portion OF Nebraska a
study of the climatic conditions will dis
close with reasonable certainty the average
amount of rainfall during the crop growing
season, thus enabling the people to determine
in what portion OF the state they may safely
the material rainfall TO cause the crops to
grow to maturity and ripen in perfection.
In the extreme western portion OF the state
experience has demonstrat ted that agriculture
cannot be safely carried on with reliance
upon the natural rainfall FOR sufficiency OF
moisture to successfully grow and mature
the crops This condition has been made
more apparent by the disastrous season OF
1894, and the people have promptly turned
their attention to irrigation, which has
been developed with great rapidity and
which has replaced partial failure OF crops,
with its attending disappointment, want and
suffering with bounteous crops. which can
be relied upon with certainty as regularly
as the seasons follow each other. The nom
rrigable portions of the country within this
| territory being exceedingly well adapted
to the raising of stock, the western part of
| Nebraska is thereby made one OF the most
inviting fields for intending settlers of any
part of the great west.
In the report of the secretary of the State
Board of irrigation Will be found much
interesting and useful information 1t is
very gratifying to note the rapid development
| of this phase OF Agricultural industry The
| work is as yet in it's infancy, butso much
has been accomplished, II may confidently
be predicted that that portion Of our state
which Is in the sCm-ard region VIII soon
| become one OF the most attractive places
! in any agricultural community. Millions
| of acres of Nebraska land Will be brought
| under the favorable influences OF irrigation
| and made to produce the most bounti:ul
| crops and there is no limit to the develop
! ment except by the exhaustion or the water
supply before this result has been fully
accomplished. The immense wealth. brought
| into existence through the development of
| irrigation and that which Is created an
| nually by the production Of bountiful har-
vests gives assurance OF plenty and pros
| perity to the Inhabitants OF thls favored
| portion OF the state.
| II will be seen from the records in the
| office of the secretary OF the Board Of Irri-
| CATION that there have been completed 3,74O
| miles of canals and that there are In process
| of construction 1,045.6 miles, making total
| mileage at the present time OF canals COM
| pleted and in process of construction OF
| 47S56 The estimated cost will exceed
| 81 600 OOO OF which over half has already
been expended. This will bring under irri-
| CATION 207 96G acres OF land increasing
| the value of the land nearly $40 900. In
| addition to this there are applications on
| file for contemplated canals OF total mileage
| of 2946 These statistics can but impress
you with the importance of giving to this
subject such further consideration as may
! be necessary to correct any imperfectionS
existing in the present law, and of providing
for continuation Of the work so auspi-
| ciousy begun.
LEGISLATION ON THE SUBJECT.
The first general law upon the subject
| of irrigation was enacted in 1889 This law
was found entirely inadequate for the proper
| development of the irrigation interests OF
| the state. This law was superseded by a
much more comprehensive one enacted by
the last legislature, since which the work
| has progressed more satisfactorily and with
much greater rapldity. Many suggestions
! have been made respecting the wisdom OF
| amending the present law. In considering
| the subject of amendments, however, deem
| II advisable to call attention to the fact
| that no amendments should be made which
would materially change the underlying
essential principles OF the present law
| which has the sanction OF the highest jul
dicial tribunal of our land. The principles
| involved In this subject having been forever
settled by judicial decision OF the char
acter referred to, 1t would seem unwise
except upon urgent necessity, to so change
! them by legislation as to, render less GER
| tain the principles involved and perhaps
| invite further litigation with its attending
| tedlousness and wearLsome delays The
advocates of irrigation interests, as
| understand 1t, favor amending
| the law relating to the or
ganization OF irrigation districts so as 10 pro
| vide for uniform issues of bonds under the
| inspection of the State Boald of Irrigation, as
well as legislation touching the issue and
negotiation of the bonded obligations OF the
| irrigation districts so as touaffold the TAX
| payers all needed protection, as well as haV-
| Ing due regard for the interests OF those who
purchase such obligations. II has also been
suggested that an amendment might prop
erly be made with reference TO the organiza-
tion and control of irrigation districts so as
| to permit every resident sreeholder to par
tcipate in and have a voice In the selection
| of officers and all other matters pertaining
! to the affairs of such districts; also that the
offices OF district treasurer and assessor
might be abolished and the duties OF these
officers be imposed upon the county and
| township treasurers and assessors. Other
amendments to the present law OF more or
| less Importance have likewise been suggested
and will no doubt be presented TO you for
| your consideration. ] earnestly hope that
| you may be able to make such needful I'M
provements may seem advisable TO en-
| courage further and TO the utmost extent this
very important feature OF the agricultural
| development OF the state. and that all neces-
sary appropriations may be made In order
that the work may be carried on with re-
| newed yigor.
CONDITION OF s1ATE FINANCES.
Management of the Trcasurer's once
Severely. Criticised.
desire TO earnestly call your serious at
tentlon to the condition of the states
finances This is a subject CT more than
ordinary concern to every taxpayer in
| Nahra sla gavaral factors contributed 10