The Grit-advocate., 1904-06-10
Some Reasons Why an Irrigation
District Should be Formed


II there is one proposition upon
which the people of SedewicK county
should be united it is the reservoir
proposition. We do not believe there
is resident of the county who will re-
fuse to admit that in order to obtain
the best results from the farming in
dustry better supply Of water should
be secured. The existing bitches may
be all right SO far is they go, but they
cannot supply water when there is no
water in the river. 1t matters not by
whom these bitches are managed, or
how well they are managed, il is an
absolute mpoSsibiIity for water to be
supplied through them at all seasons
Of the yea". These are facts that must
with the conditions in this county
Granting that these facts are truc-and
no one can honestly deny that they are
true-it must be admitted that some
thing, should be done to change these
conditions.
The question then arises, what
should be done to change these condi-
tions? We will all agree that SOME
THING should be done, and we should
be able to all agree WHAT should be
done. Since II sure supply of water
for irrigation during the summer
months would certainly better the
conditions, and since a reservoir would
supply such water, it must follow that
the construction of reservoir would
improve these conditions. Hence. we
should all be able to agree upon the
proposition that reservoir should be
built in Scdswick county.
There nay be a difference of opinion
as to how the reservoir should be built,
or by whom it should be built, but
there is no occasion for a difference of
opinion upon the fundamental propo-
sition that it should be built. All
other questions are questions Of de-
tail and can be met and answered
when tney come up to the people for
to be done, it seems to us, is for the
people to put the nselves in position
In which they can negotiate for the
construction of n reservoir. This can
only be done by organizing themselves
into a corporate body, or irrigation dis
trict. When this has been done they
will then be in 4 position to consider
any proposition which may be made by
Mr. Camfield, or by any other person,
for the construction of the Julesburg
reservoir. They will likewise be in u
position to accept. or reject, any propo-
sition made to them.
The preliminary steps towards the
organization of an irrigation district in
Sedgwick county have already been
taken. An election will be called by
the county commissioners at which
the proposition will be finally decided
by the freehoders residing in the DIS
trict sought to be OaganiZcd. a vote
to perfect the organization does not
bind the district to accept any prpp.-
sition which may be submitted to the
organization by Mr.. CamTield. Neitll-
er does it bind the district to purchase
the Petersen canal, the Settlers ditch,
or any other waterway in the district.
1t is possible that none of these things
will be done. The people in the dis
trict may decide after it is formed to
purchase Mr.. Camfeld's claim to the
reservoir site and build the reservoir
themselves. They may also decide
that they do not need any of the eX-
listing bitches, and that they will build
new ones. These and other questions
will be settled after the district organ
ization is formed. The first thing is
to effect the organization. When this
is done the other questions which will
arise can be decided by the people
most vital : concerned. And there is
DO doubt but that they Will be settled
right.