The herald., 1898-02-04

pressed his regret that the committee haC
not stricken from the bill the appropria-
tion for the purchase and distribution
of seeds He read letter from number
of members of a Connecticut grange in
which the statement was made that the
seed sent out by the agricultural de-
partment was not good. could not be de-
pended upon, and was of no use to the
farmers or gardeners.
Replying to Platt's statement, Allen
thought that the chief opposition to the
governments distribution of seeds came
from those who themselves had seeds
for sale
Bacon of Georgia thought there ought
to be reformed distribution of seeds
He believed the department ought to
purchase seeds for distribution from per-
sons who were known to raise or produce
seeds of value. In many instances the
seeds purchased were neither valuable
nor rare.
THAT is, the unmitigated humbug of
the whole thing 'interjected Plat of
Connecticut.
The amendment to the agricultural
bill offered by Warren, providing for a
division of irrigation and reclamation of
arid lands, for the investigation of
methods of constructing irrigation
canals and of storing and distributing
water in the reclamation of arid lands.
the whole to cost $21, 800, was discussed
briefly by its author and by Stewart of
Nevada. 1t was maintained that the
adoption of the amendment would be of
enormous value to the western country.
| Bate of Tennessee was of the opinion
that the present proposition was simply
the first step in a mammoth scheme to
reclaim the arid lands of the country. II
was beautiful idea. he said. but the
finances of the country were not at pres
ent in such condition as to enter upon the
proposed scheme. In addition, he main
tanned that the proposition was wrong,
because 1T looked to the performance of
work by the federal government that
ought to be done by the state or individ-
ual enterprise.
Gear of Iowa called attention to the
fact that so per cent of the arid land was
government land.
Bate contended, however. that the
time was not opportune to enter upon
the scheme proposed.
Carter of Montana took issue with
~ ehC StdlclHtlllS OI the senator
from Tennessee (Bate) He pointed out
that there was not plat of 100 acres of
government land in the western country
upon which settlement has not been
made, except arid lands. He depicted the
results of irrigation in various parts of
the world, and maintained that the gov
ernment must either cede to the states
the arid lands or take up some proper
and adequate plan for the irrigation of
these lands. He maintained that it was
the business of the government to care
for the interests of the people. to the ex-
tent, at least, which he outlined.
Cullom presented, as a substitute for
Warren's amendment. the following:
For the purpose of collecting from
agricultural colleges, agricultural ex-
pertinent stations and other sources, in
Guiding practical agents and engineers
practical information and data upon the
subject of irrigation and publishing the
same in bulletin form, 10000"
The amendment was adopted and the
bill, carrying $3,257, O22. was passed.
During the discussion of the agricul-
tural appropriation bill, Cullom yielded
to White of California for the introduce
ton of this joint resolution:
Resolved. That of right 1t belongs
wholly to the people of the Hawaiian
Islands to establish and maintain their
own form of government and domestic
policy; that the United States ought in
no wise to interfere Herewith, and that
any intervention in the political affairs
of these islands by any other govern
ment will be regarded as an act unfriend
ly to the United States"
The resolution was passed by the SEN
ate on May 81, 1894, having been reported
by Mr.. Turpie, of the Committee on For
aign Relations.
Mr.. White asked that the resolution lie
on the table.
The senate, at 5:25 p. M, went into
executive session, and at 5:2S adjourned.