Proceedings and Debates of the Convention Assembled to Adopt a Constitution for the State of Utah
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Hooper, Weber Co., Utah.
March 19th, 1895
To the Committee on Irrigation of the Constitutional,
Salt Lake City, Utah
Gentlemen:-
We have read an article on Irrigation presented to your Honorable Body for consideration, in which it is proposed to confiscate all the People’s Vested Rights to the use of water, as the property of the State, to the New State.
We beg leave to respectfully protest against any action by your Honorable Body, looking to the confiscation of any of the People’s vested water rights, owned, either indirectly or individually, or collectively.
We would respectfully suggest, that a Section on Irrigation be inserted in the Constitution, Providing for the protection and guaranty of the priority of vested rights to the use of Water, owned by the people, whether for agricultural, mechanical, or culinary purposes. And that a provision also be inserted providing for the election of officers, for the proper distribution of the waters of the several streams of the State, whether owned by companies or individuals according to their several acquired rights.
But all unclaimed waters ought to be the property of the State.
Respectfully submitted.
John Manning, President of Hooper Irrigation Company.
James Johnson, Secretary “ “ “
Cyrus Rawson, President of the Wilson Iri. Co.
W.D. Petterson, Secretary, “ “ “