LOS ANGELES CONVENTION. 305 



which it is believed may be dammecl, and used for reservoirs, and tho river streams 

 \vhich sink, may be saved by submerged dams, or stone-lined ditches made into 

 river beds, and flowing thence into reservoirs, and from thence distributed over 

 a large territory; and, 



&quot;Whereas, The agricultural riparian and common law and water rights have been, 

 are, and continue to be, violently antagonistic and provocative of constant litiga 

 tion, personal and neighborhood quarrels, all of which must be exaggerated and 

 aggravated with an increased population; and, 



Whereas, The public are prevented from using a large proportion of their own 

 water, by pretended claims of individuals, which is against public interest, the 

 spirit of our institutions, and not to be tolerated; and, 



Whereas, The individual policy has never been, nor can ever be equal to 

 properly managing this great question, which is of State, if not of national 

 interest; 



Therefore, It is resolved, by the delegates appointed at the mass convention 

 held at Gallatin, October 9th, 1873, to meet at Los Angeles, 25th October, 1873, to 

 consider means for developing and distributing the waters of Los Angeles county, 

 for agricultural purposes, with the view of furnishing a basis for legislation 

 during the coming winter, as follows: 



ARTICLE L Sec. 1. That it is the positive duty of the State of California, to 

 possess and control all the waters in the State, whiclnnay be used for irrigating, 

 (except springs rising on private lands,) without delay. 



Sec. 2. And, where ownership of water is exercised to the public detriment, 

 except in the case of springs rising on private land, to provide for denouncing and 

 paying an equitable value for the same. 



Sec, 3. To prohibit the acquirement of private rights to water which may be 

 used for irrigating, except to springs rising on private property, and except as 

 may be permitted under a general water law. 



Sec. 4. To declare all waters which may be used for irrigating, including 

 waters from springs after they shall have passed the land owned by the party on 

 which springs may have risen, to belong to the State, and to be for the use of 

 the public. 



AK ; ICLE II. Sec. 1. That it is the duty of the State to employ able engineers 

 to make a thorough examination of our rivers, canons, etc., and report as to the 

 feasibility of increasing the water supply, and of storing the same in reservoirs, 

 etc., for future use. 



ARTICLK III. Section 1. It is the duty of the State to create a new depart 

 ment of the government, to have cognizance of all matters pertaining to water de 

 velopment and irrigation. Said department to consist of 



1. A State Superintendent, who shall be assisted by an advisory board of 



engineers and civilians. 



2. One Superintendent for each county where irrigating is practiced. 



3. Three Commissioners for each water district. 



4. The details necessary to complete the above, are most respectfully left with 

 the Legislature. 



Sec. 2. Lands irrigable by one stream and its tributaries, to constitute not 

 more than two districts, and if possible not more than one. 



Sec. 3, Water to be sold in all cases; but irrigators privileged to buy in pro 

 portion to acres to be cultivated in that water year. 



Sec. 4. Irrigating head to be defined in inches. 



Sec. 5. Present water laws to be revised. 



Sec. G. Properly existing water rights, in any contemplated change, should be 

 respected. 



Sec. 7. That a system of taxation should be devised, by which lands to be 

 brought under irrigation can pay the major part of the expense incident thereto, 

 and that the additional taxation raised from such lands should be reimbursed to 

 the extent of the cost of development. 



Resolved, That the advancement of the State of California in civilization and 

 material prosperity, will greatly depend upon a proper system of water laws. 



Ilesolved, That a copy of the above be furnished his Excellency, the Governor, 

 and the honorable members of the Assembly, and the honorable Senators, with 

 the request that they will urge legislation as above desired. 



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