Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1892-01-05
CONuREssmAN SWEET.
ac Talks Of the Prospect for an Errt-
cation Law.


Statesman.
Hon. Willis Sweet, Idaho's mem
Der Of the national House Of Repre-
sentatives, arrived III the city Sunday
evening. Ho Is President Of the
Board Of Regents OF the State Uni
versity, and took advantage Of the
Congressional recess to come on and
attend meeting Of the Board, as
we'll as to attend to private business
matters.
Realizing that Washington news
from tho lips Of one fresh from par
yicipation in Congressional affairs
~ould DO Of interest to the readers OF
the Statesman, . reporter sought an
interview with Mr.. Sweet and was fa-
vored with much interesting infor-
nation regarding some matters Of i'm
pcrtancs to Idaho.
The Congressman Was asked about
The status Of tho arid land question
ii Congress and replied Substantially
= follows:
aThers will be food Of bills, but
ii will be difficult to predict just what
form the agitation will take. Sena-
tor Dolph has already introduced
bill, but it Is an impracticable meas
IRE. That bill provides for the adj
vanoing Of money by the national
government, and that 10 something
that cannot be secured. We arc
hsdged about by certain absolute con-
ditions and have to conform ourselves
TO them. Ono OF these Is that the
government will not appropriate any
money for tho reclamation Of the arid
lands. Another is that Congress will
not part with tho lands except under
certain restrictions. One condition
that will bs exactsd is that the gov
efnmsnt must know that the lands 60
TO actual settlers; another that the
amount to each settler shall BIO SO
limited that corporations aud land
grabbers cannot secure control Of
large tracts and that speculative
schemes shall BIO rendered impossible,
and another that actual settlers shall
get the water rights to which they
may be entitled. Congress enter
tains q fxed determination to protect
those who want to make homes on
the land, and It will not sntrust their
rights TO tho States. Any scheme
that may be brought forward to make
IN absolute cession will meet with
overwhelming opposition, from tbs
fear that : big job may DO hidden
under 1t 1t some point.
"In my opinion the only relation
that oan be established in this mattel
u that Of trustee aud truster; aud
have made draft OF bill based up
on that idea. Other representative
are preparing bills, among them be
ing Senator Dubois. Senator War
rem has bill; Mr.. Clarke Of Wyo
ming 10 drawing one; Senator Stew
art has announced his intention OF in
Producing one; Mr.. Caino OF Utah
will probably have one, and Mr.. Bar
tine Of Nevada, may have another
Il i possible that some Of these bill
will satisfactorily cover tho Who'll,
ground, though 1t ia not yet know
whether all will be able to agree. Il
Idaho we know that we have Al
abundance of water, while some 0
the other States and Territories ma
not be so fortunate. Thus bill tina
would suit one may not suit the 9th
ers.
81 realize that the man who woul,
accomplish anything in the Hous
must DO in at the start, and propos
to have my bill ready SO that it ca
be introduced at the first opportunity
in case no other bill shall cover tn
subject better. The bill will be re-
ferred to the committee having charg
Of the subject, OF which am MON
Der, and We will endeavor to secur
favorable action"
Mr.. Sweet has the draft OF his bill
with him. 1t deals only with the ari,
lands in this State aud, In brief, is a
follows. The arid lands in Idaho ar,
made over to the State in trust, s,
that the same may DO bonded for tn
purpose OF raising money for thei
reclamation, but the fee simple it'll
remains IN the government until sucl
time a. the land shall be sold /,
ssttlers. A commission OF Eve citi
zens OF Idaho is provided for, to b,
appointed by the President, Th
commission shall establish an oflic
IN Boise City and shall proceed t.
classify the arid lands OF the State
II shall be the duty of the commissio,
to discriminate the amount of irrigabl,