The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-02
DRAINAGE LEAGUE
AT WADENA NEXT
A. G.. Barnard Is Elected President
Bylaws and Constitution
Adopted.


Crookston, Mimi, Aug. 2-The State
Drainage league yesterday perfected it's
permanent organization by the election
of the following officers:
President, A. G. Barnard, Cass Lake;
secretary, 81. G. Hayes, Bemidii; first
vice president, Q. II. Warner; treasurer,
Captain II. B. Eva Of Duluth.
Wadena was named as the place of
the next convention after spirited con-
test in which that place and Moorhead
were the principals.
The executive committee was named
as follows:
Ezra Safes GardeP GGty G. Pc
Minneapolis; Asher Murray, Wadena;
Thomas Olson, Willmar; W. 4. Gonag,
Duluth; R. G. Wells, Breckenridge.
The executive committee after several
hours work reported upon set of by
laws and constitution, which were
adopted by the convention and will
guide the organization in its future
work.
The promotion of drainage thru state
and federal aid over all sections of the
state in need of such work, is the key
note Of both bylaws and constitution.
Meetings are to be held annually and i.
the entire state is included in the scope
Of the work.
The work of the meeting has been
a second days session was not held.
Actual Con ditions in the North, "as
the theme of an excellent paper deliv-'
cred by L. G. Pendergast of Bemidli,
who is one of the best-posted northern
Minnesota men attending the conyen-
trail Section,'' was the title Of j. A.
Morley's address. w.
George A. Ralph in his paper on
Estate Drainage' brought probably the
largest array Of facts and figures of any
man on the program, and did so in a,
very forcible manner.
Last night the convention delegates
were royalty entertained at Masonic
hall with banquet and smoke social,
and the many wits of the state assem-
bled here made things merry with their
jokes and toasts. The meeting has been
a phenomenal success and Crookston has
done herself pround in the entertain
| ment of the visitors.
Yesterdays Session.
The meeting of the Drainage league
opened at the Opera house yester-
day with an attendance which exceeded
the expectations of its most sanguine
champions. About 400 delegates were
on hand, among them Governor john
son, Lieutenant Governor Ray Jones,
United States Senator Clapp, Secretary
|
E. Hansen, Engineers Abercromble and
| Ralph, State Senators Lord, Cole, Pc
terson, Campbell, Calhoun, Comstock,
Bourne, Stephens 1 ana Sam La,ngham,
secretary of the senate. The repre-
sentative present were: A. L. Cole,
o. E. Hogen, O. V. Eckman, Il. 0. Han
Wells,e John A. Landin, Morals Laurit-
son. J. M. Hetland, w. A. Nolan, W.
I A. Hinton, E. w. Gates, Frank Haskell
and Mr.. Bennett.
In addition to these state officials
there are present prominent representa-
tives from every county in the state,
the northern portion showing UP with
large delegations.
The meeting was called to order by
President A. c.. Barnard of Cass Lake
1, - Mayor Mix of this city welcomed the
visitors - - ,-.,~T 49,. =
i A resolution was adopted instructlng
: Secretary Hays to have stenographlc
report Of the meeting taken.
Governor Johnson's Position.
The first speaker was Governor John.
son, who declared himself champion
of the cause of drainage. He looked
,. upon the appropriation of money fol-
the drainage of swamp lands as purely
a business proposition, and the only
; sane course for the state to adopt. He
stated that at the next meeting of the
Legislature his message would contain an
urgent plea for an appropriation liberia
enough fully to meet the requirements
, He said a comparatively moderate ex
;. penditure of money would increase the
value Of the state lands affected al
least 100 per cent. AS a member of the
drainage board he would urge similar
recommendations to the legislature. ,
The sympathy of Governor johnson II
J, the movement for drainage and the un
qualified promise of his earnest support
created great enthusiasm.
Senator Clapp in Line.
United States Senator Moses A. Clapp
given hearty welcome, preceded his
remarks by the statement that he was
in hearty sympathy with the drainage
movement and was ready now, anJ
would be ready at any time in the flu
ture, to further the best interests of the
5 cause. He confined most of his remarks
to the proposition Of drainage by fed
eral appropriation. He stated that the
federal government had no financial in
terest in the reservation lands, but wa!
simply a trustee. When the lands were
disposed of, the government wa:
lated $1.25. Mr.. Clapp stated, however
, that he believed the federal government
: would appropriate money for the worl
+ of drainage, where necessary. without
9 menacing the rights of the Indians. HI
9 thought it probable that the only wa1
= an appropriation could be secured would
: be thru a bill providing that the money
y expended for drainage would be re
. turned to the government when TIT
;. lands were sold. and the Indians givel
, the remainder. If it was demonstrated
:, . that this plan did not meet the approva
of congress, he advocated law by con
: gress ceding the swamp lands to tn
> state of Minnesota. which would leav
g the state in position to carry on tn
Z drainage.
Among other prominent speakers be
fore the noon recess were Congressman
I Stevenson. Ray w. Jones, Senator A. {
: Stephens, State Auditor Iverson an
, Secretary Hanson