Pres W. Woodruff, P.O.B. B. S. L. C. U. Dear Brother, I send you this letter Asking you if you will Lone me one hundred Dollers ($10000) for one year, and i will pay you the ^$1000^ enterest at the end of the year & the $100 also. As the times is so Hard on me, i am force to ask you the lone of course i one the

NEW YORK 189 Wilford Woodruff, Dear Sir: We enclosed for final revision, your biographical sketch au prepared for the National Cyclopedia of American Biography. Please read carefully and see if correct. If not returned within ten days the Biography will be considered as pronounced correct by you, and it will be printed as it stands. As Portraiture is the demand of the day, and makes bio- graphy so much more intelligible, it is our plan to embellish every Biographical Sketch with a Portrait, and to make this work a Na- tional Portrait Gallery. These portraits are not photographic re- productions; they are drawn in pen and ink, nearly life-size, by skilled artists, at a very large cost. The Publishers have paid $35, for the simple drawing of some of them. They are then reduced which gives them their fineness. 20,000 of such Portraits in- volves an expense which no syndicate of publishers could possibly assume; but the Publishers feel assured that when the work is placed on sale, you will be sure to purchase it for the Portraits themselves. Therefore, if you will simply give an advance order, giving them the assurance of so much support, they will make the Portrait at their own expense, and insert it without charge. When the Sketch is once printed it will be too late to add it. The work costs just as much without the Portrait, and to insert it will cost you absolutely nothing. It is the plan to have your Biography appear in the forth coming volume; but before closing it up we think it only courte- ous to give you an opportunity of having a Portrait inserted. Four Volumes are ready, and the balance will be issued to each year. If you will return the enclosed order blank, we will wait for the proper photograph, etc. Very respectfully, Jno. Howard Brown N. B. Managing Editor.

SALT LAKE CITY, . Editor Deseret News: Your able editorial in the NEWS of the 22nd overlooks the advantages of having representatives at the Denver Congress to represent Utah to discuss the very matters you speak of. There is nothing in the address to the people to contravene your ideas; quite the contrary. In fact there has never at any time such a thing been thought of regarding the cession of the arid or national lands until all these questions have been settled and which the nation has to bear the expense of. If you will consult the address of the Commission to the people, you will see that the questions 5 to 8 inclusive involve matters of really more import than 5 alone, since the enabling act really gives us all the arable land existing within the Territory to Utah as a State. Cordially admitting that this is a mat- ter to be carefully studied, and that it will take five or more years to bring about a result, there is the strongest reason that Utah at the coming Congress should be represented by the very strongest men we can send, and any neglect to do so will be a disgrace to Utah. Will you kindly suggest any better way of doing this for Utah? Today this Territory has a prestige second to none, and its representatives will be listened to at Denver as no others will; and now the object of the Commis- sion is to get as many delegates to go there as possible without any regard to their views—except as they represent the best for Utah. On the eve of becoming a State there is all the more reason why she should be heard. We ask you and your paper to request the people to send delegates and answer a few statistical questions. Very truly yours, C. L. STEVENSON, Secretary. The NEWS is very pleased to publish the foregoing letter; one good reason being that Col. Stevenson appears to have imbibed the idea—as have others from whom we have lately heard—that this paper was rather opposed to the Irrigation Congress at Denver, and was inclined to throw cold water upon the endeavor to have proper respresentation there for Utah. That this is a huge mistake and the exact opposite of the NEWS'S position, will be clear, we think, to every one who will read carefully the editorial re- ferred to, which appeared in our daily issue of the 22nd. Col. Stevenson's remarks about Utah's prestige in mat- ters of irrigation are most sincerely believed by the NEWS; they were in fact given in substance and almost in identical language in the very article which, he says, "overlooks the ad- vantages of having representatives at the Denver Congress." We over- looked none of the advantages, but on the contrary urged them upon public attention; and if anything more in that line is needed, we are ready here and now to re-assert and re-emphasize the high and imperative duty of this Territory to be fully and ably repre- sented in the deliberations of that body. In an address to the people of Utah concerning the "Third National Irri- gation Congress," which is to convene in the Broadway Theatre, Den- ver, September 3, the members of the Irrigation Commission for the Territory make a stong plea for the earnestness, the interest and the assistance of public-spirited Utah citizens. This commission consists of Wm. H. Rowe, who is the Utah mem- ber of the national executive commit- tee; S. Fortier of Logan; L. W. Shurt- liff of Ogden; L. Holbrook of Provo, and C. E. Wantland of Salt Lake City, with C. L. Stevenson as secretary— well-known and representative men all of them, and energetic for the ad- vancement of the community. Their address refers to the official call for the Denver Congress, and gives the basis of representation. They explain the duties of the commissions ap- pointed for the various arid or semi-arid states and territories, and the valuable information that may be expected from the reports of these bodies—seventeen, we believe, is the number of them that will report at Denver. Attention is invited to the magnitude of the arid land problem and its solution, in which connection occurs this strong statement: The country has millions of unem- ployed men, the arid west has millions of unemployed acres. To transfer un- employed men to surplus land is the great problem which must be met and which the Third Irrigation Congress will consider. Utah ought to be able to secure her share of the advantages which will come to the arid west when finally the method is adopted which will secure the constuction and proper regulation of the irrigation works necessary to prepare the now useless land to receive the mil- lions who are crying for homes. The address then urges pubic inter- est in the appointment of a sufficient number and the right kind of men as delegates to the Denver meeting— "men of experience in irrigation and colonization work and who have the general welfare at heart;" and it con- cludes with an urgent request for a speedy answer to a list of eight ques- tions, together with such additional advice and counsel as the correspond- ent may be able to give. The list of inquiries is as follows: 1st. Give name and address. 2nd. From what stream or source is the water within your district or ward supplied? 3rd. Is the water of this source fully utilized, and if not, what proportion runs to waste during the winter season or how many months of the year is the water not used for irrigation? 4th. About what area of lands is there along the stream which can be irrigated and are not? The first Irrigation Congress, held at Salt Lake City in 1891, decided that the best results for the reclamation of the arid lands would be secured by the cession of such public lands to the state, and the control and sale thereof be exer- cised by that state. 5th. Do you favor any change in the policy decided upon at the Salt Lake Congress of 1891 and endorsed by the Legislature of Utah? If so, in what particular or manner? The platform of the Irrigation Congress held at Los Angeles in 1893, favored several departures from existing laws. We submit these inquiries in relation thereto as follows: First. The Irrigation Congress declares —"We declare that water in natural channels and beds is public property, and when, under the law of any state, vested rights have been secured thereto, such rights, like all other private property, may be supervised for bene- ficial purposes, and be condemned for public use, under the exercise of the power of eminent domain." 6th. Do you favor the principle of con- demning existing water rights? The Los Angeles platorm declares— "We declare that all streams rising in one state and flowing by natural courses through one or more states, must be con- served and equally divided under Fed- eral authority." 7th. Do you favor the division of the water among appropriators by offiers of the general government rather than local officers? Third. The Los Angeles platform de- clares—"We favor the limitation of the amount of land that may be taken up by settlers, under systems of irrigation, to forty acres, and predict that in the future it will be found desirable to reduce the amount still further, and we favor the restriction of the privilege of taking up the public lands to citizens of the United States." 8th. Does the limitation of land filings to forty acres meet your approval? Now, most of these are important questions and some of them should not be answered too glibly or without due consideration. The time, however, is short in which the part of the work preparatory to the meeting of the Congress must be attended to, and realizing this, as also the fact that it

Elba, Cassia Co. Idaho. . Pres. Wilford Woodruff. Dear Brother: I am sorry that I have not been able to answer your letter sooner. I have been waiting thinking I could get my affairs in order so I could go, but I find I cannot possibly get ready by the appointed time. I am in debt some & will be obliged to straighten before I can leave home and I cannot do that untill my crop is harvested. I will try to prepare my self by the next time there are Elders called to that part of the ministry again. Your Brother, A. T. Hoagland. Let him report when ready. J. F. S.

Utah Brother Wilford Woodrough It is some time ago since I received your second letter notifying myself that my name had been handed in as a (or to accept) ^a^ missionary to the Southern States, the appearan- ce my financial affairs had at that time I feared I should not be able to get ready by as early a date as Oct 13th 94 for that reason I have held my answer, not wishing to ask for a farther postponement, I will go and do the best I can Yours Truley Aaron Hardy Jr. over.

Sanford President Wiford Woodruff Dear Brother, Your of Aug 17th is to hand about I taking a mission to the Suthern States, Will say that I will be on hand to start from here Dec 8th Would like Iif I could get my setting appart attended to here at home and meet the Company at Solida your Brother in the Gosple of Christ. J. C. Jensen. S. C. Berthelson Bishop See over.

Sanford President Wilford Woodruff. Dear Browther, Yours of aug 17. To hand would Like if my Mission Could be arranged in 2 yers from now as My Brother in-law J C Jensen is also called to start now our means is limeted I Would Take Care of his family When away and he would take of mine Family When I was Out on my mission We are worken to gether and also have his and my wife Folks to assist in Their Old age If that can not be

Hon. Wilford Woodruff, Salt Lake City Utah. Dear Brother: Your letter stating that my name had been accepted as a Missionary rec'd. This is to inform you that I accept, relying on the Lord to help me. Your Friend and Brother: Walter W. Huffaker. I indorse the above John C. Dalton Bishop

Salt Lake City Presedent Woodruff Dear Bro Having Received A Notice To go to Tanite I will say in Reply that my Circamstances are very Imbarrison I have no means on hand at preasent and I am in Dept some having had no Work Latly four months out of fourteen month and I am the only suport that my family has I have Nothing I could sell to fitch the money to go with Having to pay five Dollars a month for rent And should i go i should have to have

Manassa Colo Aug 23rd 1894 Pres Woodruff Salt Lake City, Utah Dear Brother My call as a missionary to the Southern States came on Monday last I gladly execpt the call and will if posiable be ready to go at the appointed time If you could allow me thirty ^days^ more time in which to settle my buisness affairs it would accomedate me very much as I have some partnership buisness with

Prest. Wilford Woodruff and Mrs. Clara W. Beebe Dearest Father and Sister Clare: Siezeing this opportunity I will write you a double letter and hope you will both accept it as an answer to yours of August 8th & 6th respectively. Clara's was received one day before Pa's; being the first I have had from home since one from Clara, Pa & Blanch two weeks ago tomorrow. Both of you are very good about writing to me but it would be so highly appreciated if I could hear from home at least once a week. I know Ma has so much to do that I can't expect her to write to me every week but I do think that some one might. Though I don't want any one to write me that consideres it an unpleasant duty. In such a case I would rather not hear from home once a month. Pa sits down in his office and writes me while surrounded with business and I must say is more thoughtful and seems to think of me more than the girls who could find time if they had any desire. Alice wrote me the last time about four months ago, since then I have heard very little from her. Asahel & Naomi both wrote me a very nice letter from N.Y. for which I was real thankful and have answered them, they are no doubt at home again now and rejoice to see the little one's. Am real sorry Pa to hear you feel so worried & have such a burden to carry, when you should be all allowed to enjoy life, but you won't let anyone help you and no doubt you will carry you[r] load untill you drop in the Harness. You are made of such Mettal Pa and God has granted you such wonderful health and blessed you so that you could enjoy life and have your head as clear as a man of half your years usually has. Oh how I rejoice! that he has so blessed you; when I read that you had again been fishing my heart sprang with joy to think of what a wonderful man you are. How I do hope that one who governs all of our lives will grant that I may have the pleasure of casting the "Rod" once more into the cool mountain stream of dear mother Utah, in company with my beloved Father at such a wonderful age. Let us both pray that we may both fulfill our missions with honor and have such a pleasant privilidge. I am sure that the folks at home will do all in their power to make home a place of peace and rest for you & seek to gratify every wish that you[r] heart may desire; my hope is that they will never speak a cross word to you, & seek to make you com- fortable & happy. You must have had a nice Fishing-party; would like to have been one of your number, glad you cought two, but hope you will have better luck next time. Am also glad the 2nd crop is in the Barn & 3rd growing. How have the trees done this season? especially the Elms & Sycamors in front of the house; also the vines, etc? Write me a letter and tell me all about every one & how the place looks, how your

Rexburg, Idaho, Prest. W. Woodruff Salt Lake City Dear Brother, Your favor of 21st inst. regarding proposed change of our mail route. Will say that the present system has been in operation for 4 years and we have not missed a mail one day. The new route would be 12 miles longer and would delay us in answering letters one day. Formerly we had mail from Idaho Falls and very frequently we were without mail as long as 2 and 3 days. Hyrum Watson and David Rich are running a stage line between Idaho Falls, Rexburg and St. Anthony and we hear they want the mail transferred to their line with the object of getting it to carry. There may be a few of the people on the south side of the river who favor the change but it is not a fact that the people nor their leaders on this side want a change.

Rexburg Idaho Prest Wilford Woodruff Geo Q Cannon and Joseph F Smith Dear Brethren Being asked by Pres Ricks to give you an impartial statement as to what I know regarding his statement made at our Sunday School Conference relative to a petition then in circulation asking for a change in our mail route from Market Lake to Ida Falls. I beg to say that as near as my memory serves me all that I heard him say at said Conference was that he had been informed that a petition was being circulated asking for a change in our mail service and that he did not consider it a wise thing to do. The whole trouble in the matter seems to have arisen from a dissatifaction arising in the minds of Messrs D. P. Rich and H. A. Watson who for the past 6 or 8 months have been running a Stage Line from Ida Falls through several of the settlements to St. Anthony. These gentlemen or at least one of them "Bro. H. A. Watson" spoke to me on several occasions asking me if I would sign a petition for such a change as above stated, to which request I informed him each time that it