THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



lightened legislation by the Federal Congress until 

 we suggest it ourselves and until we support the 

 proposition with practical unanimity. This is the 

 opportunity for us to solve the problem and to or- 

 ganize the forces which will carry it successfully be- 

 fore the country. It is the opportunity which should 

 be taken at its flood, lest our future "be bound in 

 shallows and in miseries.'' Every man and newspa- 

 per of influence in the West should labor unselfishly 

 and energetically from 

 now until the Congress 

 assembles at Denver to 

 make the event success- 

 ful in the largest and 

 best sense. 



FORMER IRRIGATION 

 CONVENTIONS. 



To fully comprehend 

 the importance of the 

 Denver Congress it is 

 necessary to know some- 

 thing of its predecessors. 

 The first Irrigation Con- 

 gj-ess was called by Gov- 

 ernor Thomas and met 



THE POLICY OF LAND CESSION. 



The principal argument in favor of cession was 

 that this measure was the best that could be ob- 

 tained. Very few people regarded it as the ideal 

 solution of the arid land problem, but the vast 

 preponderance of opinion at the first congress was 

 to the effect that the East would never consent to 

 large appropriations, and that the West must itself 

 deal with the question as one of local importance. 

 Senator Warren of Wyo- 

 ming introduced a bill 

 based upon the Salt Lake 

 platform. The measure 

 failed to command the 

 strong support which its 

 friends expected in the 

 West itself. An opposi- 

 tion, based upon the fear 

 that the lands would be 

 frittered away by corrupt 

 legislatures, speedily de- 

 veloped. In the East the 

 measure was strong, as 

 its friends had antici- 

 pated. Eastern public 



F. C. GOUDY. 



G. O. SHAFER. 



F. D. CARPER. 



E. W. MERRITT. 

 MEMBERS OF DENVER COMMITTEE. 



M. C. JACKSON. 



in Salt Lake City, Utah, in September, 1891. It 

 was largely attended and many eminent men were 

 included among its delegates. The object of the 

 convention, as stated in the call, was to consider 

 the cession of the lands to the States. Only this 

 aspect of the subject was considered and after sev- 

 eral days of animated debate the Congress, by a 

 practically unanimous vote, declared in favor of 

 cession. 



men and newspapers were willing to say to the 

 West, " Take your worthless arid lands and 

 get out." It is believed that the present ad- 

 ministration feels this way about it and would 

 willingly lend its influence to a plan of cession 

 if now vigorously presented by the West. But 

 upon that proposition alone the West cannot 

 be united, and it is hoped that a better plan can 

 be devised. 



