Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-09-02

ering awakened the countrys dormant
conscience and despite powerful nppo-
sltion the national Congress voted I'm
1894 aid Go this harhor and gave to the
city OF los Angeles an ocean portal
FIRST SESSION At GALVESTON.
Several leaders I'm the movement
from Louisiana. Texas. Arkansas. Colo
rudo and other states. Fronting by the
experience OF the Kansas city meet
ing. held a conference no Munitou,
Colorado. and 90 was there decided
to reorgaulZe the movement In or
dor TO silence criticism and not un-
necessarily excite opposition al wash
ingtun it was determined 90 connue
tho territory represented &C. the states
and territories west Of the Mississippi
river only and TO insert the word
commercial" douoting the character
OF the congress. This conference ad-
jOurned 90 meet with he executive
committee OF the western states con-
gress which had adjourned without
date. This meeting was called In the
cotton exchange at Galveston 10 Feb
ruary 1891 Hon. w. NJ Fishback,
governor OF Arkansas. presided. Here
were al-p gathered delegates repre-
sentinR the deep harbor movement,
as well as executive officers repre-
lions. The constitution and bylaws
OF the Transmississipp Commercial
congress were here adopted and the
merger Of the three existing move
ments was complete.
RECLAMATION OF ARID LANDS.
The Transmississipp Commercial
congress met in Denver in May Of the
same year for business and more
thorough organization. This meet
ms was presided over by Hon. j.. p.
Terry Of Utah The most important
public matter that engaged the at
tentlon Of the delegates was the stu
pendous proposition TO reclaim and
make arabic the waste lands. II had
long been demonstrated that the soil
under the revlvifying effects OF mois-
ture was extremely fertile. Millions
upon millions of acres We're lying idle
md IN the mountains was running to
waste sufficient water If conducted to
this arid land that would make this
soil blossom and bear fruit The prob
lem was how TO unite the two. In
1879 a convention called by Colorado
but three years old as state. convened
In Denver. There were delegates
present from the public domain states.
Much interest was shown and the
conclusion reached was that the COVE
eminent should decide upon some
plan for the conservation Of the storm
waters and the construction Of storage
reservoirs and irrigating canals Moth
ing further In this line was attempted.
With the passage Of resolutions the
matter was allowed to rest until 1891
when the plan which ultimately result
ed IN the framing Of the reclamation
act was adopted at the second session
OF the Transmississippi Commercial
congress.
IRRIGATION CONGRESS ORGAN
lied.
In 1882 New orleans need public at
tention drawn 10 her port and In that
year the congress convened In that
city. Hon. L. Bradford Prince, COVER
nor OF New Mexico, presided. AT this
congress a resolution was passed Great
ing the National Irrigation congress
which soon after held it's first session
at Los Angeles.
The following year, 1898. the con-
gress met I'm Utah IN Difference TO he
renewed demand that the commercial
bodies OF the west made urgent appeals
for the passage OF a law that would
place I'm the hands Of the general gov
eminent the semi-arid lands OF the
west for irrigation. Hon l. s. Nc
Council, OF Idaho, presided at this met
ing. and the result was a still greater
impetus given TO the cause OF irriga-
ton.
California's desire for another port on
the Pacific coast led to the session Of
1894 Government aid for San Pedro
was the issue. Hon. II. r. WhitmOre
OF Missouri, was the president OF this
congress.
Later the same year St Louis had
the honor OF entertaining the congress
for the good that would accure to the
proposition that more liberal appropri-
ations be given the Mississippi river.
Hon George @. Cannon, Of Utah pre-
sided az this meeting.
one year later william Jennings
Bryan as president call the congress 10
order az Omaha This session was for
the purpose OF directing the attention
OF the western people 20 the Trans
mississippi exposition which owed It's
existence 10 the Congress three years
before.
DIVISION ON THE SILVER CUES
TON.
The session of 1897 was held I'm salt
Lake CITY al which Hon. Hugh Craig,
OF California. presided The agitation
which later grew 90 such great proper
ton affecting the question Of remon-
citation OF silver ala not ran 10