Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1909-02-19
Address of Mayor Kinney.

Address of Mayor Kinney.
Mayor H. c. Kinney of Grants
Pass was the last speaker. He said:
Every enterprise whether great or
small requires great deal OF pre-
liminary work and while some here
may think this Is the beginning of
this irrigation work, 1t Is not so, for
several months men have been work
ing to bring about that for which
we are gathered here. But further
back than that, the Messrs. Ament
recognized this strategic point of the
Rogue River and harnessed its wa
ters. We have tried several times to
inaugurate an irrigation scheme but
have failed because the farmers
could not be interested. All great
enterprises In this county must have
the support of the farmers and last
fall after the dry season and the fall
ure of the crops, the farmers were
ready to give their support, and so
we are here today to begin work on
the ditch which shall bring great
prosperity to this part of the Rogue
Liver Valley.
We want better things in this
county. We want a better city, bet
ter streets, better homes, better
lawns, more flowers and more Of
everything that goes to make our
city more attractive. And so In this
first shovelfull of earth from these
irrigation bitches that shall encom-
pass our city and valley, pledge
Josephine County through its officers
to more earnest work for the well
fare Of the county. We want better
roads that the products Of the far
mers may be brought to the market
with the least expense.
pledge the Commercial Club
through Its president to greater ef-
forts towards unlfying the business
men and interests in building up our
city and letting the outside world
know OF the opportunities with
which we are surrounded.
pledge the city through its Coun-
ell and Mayor to more efficient labor
In bringing about better conditions
In our town. We want paved streets
In the business district that they may
be clean and attractive. There are
going to be things done from now on
and pledge you one and all that
when improvements are proposed
that you consider them we'll and then
use every bit Of your influence in the
right direction that our city may be-
come what its surroundings call for
the prettiest city on the coast.
The Mayors speech was we'll re-
ceived and at Its close he placed the
shovel which he had been holding In
his hand, on the ground, and placing
HIS f'ot upon II, he sent the blade
deep into the soil. and threw out the
first shoveltull OF earth from the pro-
posed irrigating canal, depositing II
beyond the line Of stakes. This was
the signal for the clapping OF hands
and a prolonged demonstration OF
At the close OF the May
or's speech the plows were started
and after several furrows had been
turned, the big teams with the scrap
ers came In and carried the up-turn-
ID soil TO the outer line OF the pro-
posed ditch. The proceedings having
'nded, the crowd wandered over the
grounds, visiting the dam, and In
the large pump which will
,e used to fill the high line ditches.
rhe whole affalr from It's very lncep-
ion at Grants Pass, the excursion,
he speeches and return TO the city
vas without mar or blemish of any
lind.
At 4 o'clock the whistle OF the
oming train was heard and the sig
'al for the return being sounded, the
'xcursionlsts once more got on board
md In a few minutes we're again IN
irants Pass. All voted the occasion
worthy OF our city and county and
he good people who are engaged IN
'romotlng the promising enterprise
" irrigation.
Editors and Correspondents.