The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-03
BIC FIGHT IS OVER
Committee Reports ResoIu-
tons to Congress-
GOV. MURPHY GOT CESSION
Resolution FaVoring Marine
Subsidy Adopted.
GOV. MURPHY GOT CESSION

The resolutions on irrigation were
adopted without any debate on the floor
| and without an opposing vote. They ask
for direct cesslon, the principle advocated
by Governor Murphy Of Arizona, on con-
dition that the lands be actually settled
in small tracts. The leasing Of grazing
/ lands and the construction Of federal stor-
age reservoirs wherever necessary TO re-
/ claim arid lands Is advocated.
Following are the resolutions IN full:
IRRIGATION.
! Resolved, That the Trans Mississippi!
( Commercial Congress endorses the follow
| ing resolutions which embody the resolu-
/ tions and policy advocated by the Ma
( tional Irrigation Congress 5 TO national
| and state irrigation policy for the recla-
nation and settlement Of arid America:
CONDITIONAL STATE CESSION.
We favor the cession Of the public lands
OF the nation 10 the respective states and
territories only upon conditions so strict
that they will insure the settlement Of
such lands BY actual settlers in small
tracts, and absolutely prevent their mo-
nopoly in large bodies under private own
ership.
RURAL HOMES.
We urge upon the American people the
profound importance of the social, polit-
ical and philanthropic features OF the
great irrigation movement, its ultimate
aim being that we may become nation
Of rural homes, rather than nation OF
great cities.
LEASING OF THE GRAZING LANDS.
We favor the leasing of the public graz
ing lands at a nominal rental in limited
areas 10 settlers farming adjacent lands,
the revenue from rentals 10 go 10 the
states and territories for irrigation devel-
opment. Leases TO be subject TO right Of
reclamation by irrigation and Of settle
ment On lands actually cultivated, title
CT grazing land 10 remain in federal gov
eminent until actual settlement the Ieas-
ing Of said lands 70 be under the contr5l
Of the states or territories where situated,
and the revenues arising therefrom 10 be
expended by said states or territories,
counties IN which said lands are located
to have just proportion of the revenues
FEDERAL STORAGE RESERVOIRS.
We favor the preservation and develop
ment Of our national resources by the
construction Of storage reservoirs by the
federal government. for food protection
and to save for use in aid Of navigation
and irrigation the food waters which now
run to waste and cause overflow and de-
Of Col Hiram NJ Chittenden, and We
urge the adoption Of the recommendation
of this report as to the construction Of
storage reservoirs IN the arid region as a
part Of the national policy of internal i'm
proVements.
ARID LAND RECLAMATION.
We favor the construction by the feder-
al government Of storage reservoirs and
irrigation works wherever necessary to
furnish water for the reclamation and
actual settlement OF the arid public lands
UNITED OWNERSHIP OF LAND AND
WATER.
The value Of the irrigated farm and the
security OF the homes thereby created are
alike dependent upon sufficient public
control of the water supply and the pre-
vention Of water becoming a speculative
commodity. We believe that the water Of
all streams should forever remain public
property, and that the right TO its use
should inhere, not in the individual or the
ditch, but in the land reclaimed.
AMENDMENT TO CAREY ACT.
Whereas, The law relating to the ces-
sion of public lands for the purpose Of
irrigation generally known as the Carey
act" by its language applies only 10
states and not to territories;
Resolved. That said act should be
amended SO as to be equal in its opera
tons and extend its benefits to the terri
tories as well as states.
RESERVOIR CONSTRUCTION.
Resolved. That approaching the value
OF system OF Improvements on the navt-
gable waterways OF the Mississippi and
Ohio basin for irrigation, and making pro
ducJive vast areas OF arid land, for the
continued improvement Of these rivers for
transportation purposes and diminishing
the destructive power OF foods, We rec
ommend that the government continue
the construction Of reservoirs under d.
rectlon Of competent eng iueers, until
Setter system shall have been discovered,
and further. 10 retain control Of al uayl-
gable waters and cede no rights to pr
vace parties or companies that might in
terfere with systematic prosecution OF
this great work.
FOREST PRESERyATIIN.
Whereas, The protection and prese-va-
ton OF timber lands IS a matter OF high
importance. not only with relation ID
maintenance Of sources OF supply for for /
estry products but also for the favorable |
Of forest lands or climatic con-
ditions. affecting the sanitary welfare and /
wafer supply T the country: therefore
Resolved. That We re-afirm our decla-- |
atoms OF the Importance and necessity Of /
the preservation OF our forests and re- /
specially urge upon congress ard tne leg
-statCres OF tie various states the enact
ment of such laws as Viii provide for TIE ,
protection Of our forests from needless 4
destruction and for the planting ana care
OF new forests.