FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 459 



of bringing remedies that the law now needs. Our laws in regard to 

 drainage are just as good as the majority of States, and they are all 

 right as far a they go. I think the best plan would be to amend the 

 law, first, require that the engineer when he makes his report be more 

 specific and return a report of the land that, in his opinion, would be 

 affected, and describe accurately each tract of land and give the name 

 of the owners. Before this is established, the supervisors should be 

 notified. Then, when the petition comes for the hearing, the supervisors 

 should notify those people to come forward and show just cause why 

 their land should not be included in the drainage. Then let the super- 

 visors go ahead and classify the land such as lov/, wet, dry, swampy, 

 etc., and also return specifically, along with the description of the 

 land, the names of the owners. I would make the ditch tax a first lien 

 on the land, and then, if several persons want to go ahead and make 

 an improvement of this kind, they can. do it. You know it is universal 

 in this world that if there is work to be done the large crowd are will- 

 ing to sit back and let those few go ahead that are willing to do it. 



"In regard to the amendment of the lav/. I would get at it just as 

 quickly as you can, so that the improvements now under the process 

 of being carried forward will not necessarily be delayed, because very 

 soon it will be time for your drainage boats to go to work." 



It was now moved, seconded and carried, tha-t Mr. P. A. Sawyer, 

 Mr. C. G. Elliott. Prof. C. F. Curtiss, and two other gentlemen that the 

 chair shall name, be appointed as a committee to draft an' amendment 

 to the I'owa drainage laws, and use their influence to secure legislative 

 action at the present session of the general assembly. 



The committee on resolutions gave the convention the following 

 report : 



EESOLUTIOXS. 



Whereas, the excessive rainfall of the last two years has caused 

 untold damage to the agricultural interest of Iowa, and brought about 

 a general realization of our imperfect drainage system, and a full realiza- 

 tion of the needs of our own State in this regard, and. 



Whereas, the recent decision of the supreme court has demonstrated 

 the necessity of an immediate amendment of our drainage laws, there- 

 fore, be it 



Resolved, That the disasters from the rains and floods of the past 

 two years will not be entirely without advantage if we profit by the 

 experience and at once take vigorous and intelligent action in relation 

 to our drainage interests. 



Resolved, That we are more than gratified at the success of this 

 convention, and the thanks of the farmers are due the authorities of 

 the Agricultural College who conceived the idea and who have so suc- 

 cessfully carried it out; 



Resolved, That we earnestly favor the taking of immediate action 

 in the way of presenting to the legislature such amendments of our 

 present drainage laws as shall remedy any defects therein and make 

 them at the same time practical, efficient and constitutional; 



