Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-03-31
TO 1RR1eATE THE WEST.

The people of the west are beginning
to realize that they have, at various
times, through congress-. been used as
a cats paw to further the sectional
interests of the east, and at the same
time have been denied an equal or just
division of public money to develop
their own region. Western represen-
tatives in congress have always waged
an uphill fight to get recognition for
their vast terriotry, and this was more
than eve apparent in the closing days
of the congress just adjourned, when
the item in the River and Harbor bill
providing for the construction of west
tenn reservoirs, agreed to by the senate
after Il gallant fight by the western
senators, was finally killed in confer
ence by the action of the members of
the house of representatives.
Western men are beginning to see
CLEARLY that irrig; ton will not win its
own battle against eastern opposition,
aud that the only hope of their secur-
nng just recognition is by united ac-
tion. They did unite in the session
just closed, and they made Il grand
light for the west, and they almost
won the day. Such action only needs
to be continued to be successful.
Western men are organizing, wen nov,
to carry the war into Africa during the
coming congress, and they propose to
not only demand but to secure u just
proportion of government money for
the development of their section of
the Union.
A.rid-land irrigation has, however,
won many friends in the east, and it
was only through the most bitter and
determined opposition on the part of
it's enemies that it's interests were de-
feated in 1899.
The western senator's made a great
fight to hold the reservoir %appropria-
ton, consuming nearly the whole of
the last night of the session, and had
it not been that the Army and Navy
appropriation bills came after the Riv-
or and Harbor bill, and that time had
to be given to pass them in order to
avoid an extra session, the senators
from the west would have forced the
committee from the house to yield.
There is no doubt that the fight so
splendidly begun can be won in anoth-
or session, ii the people in the west
will unite in support of their senators
and congressmento insist upon justice
to the west in the apportionment of
the river and harbor appropriations.
Senator Warren, of Wyoming, took
the burden of the contest and spoke
for over four hours. He showed 10y
J engineers reports and surveys the i'm
portance of the Measure and how far
] reaching it's benefits would be by re-
moving the cause of floods, through
the construction of reservoirs, and
bringing the waters back into the
streams when needed for navigation,
e saving millions of dollars which must
+ otherwise he expended for levees and
h various devices for controlling the
!. flood. waters if they are always to be
"a allowed to come down without let or
hindrance. Senator Warren's speech
was a splendid presentation of the
whole subject aud clearly showed its
4 merits. He was ably aided by Sena-
tors Carter and Mantle, of Montana,
Wilson of Washington aud Stewart of
Nevada.
III In summing up the situation a few
n days since, Senator Warren said: u
Is will say that if the fight is prosecuted
ar in the future as it has been in this
IA congress, the west will receive its re
IS cognition. Our section lacks represer
ID tation in the house, and it is difficult
er to create any direct interest in irriga
us ton matters. but 1 can see daylight
n. ahead in the senate. The house has
AS however, learned its lession in this Sos
sion, and the senate is going to figh
for this appropriation in the future
is If the friends of irrigation for the ives
lie will continue their efforts with vigo
and persistence, 1 believe that it vii
nm become as popular to advocate the d.
IN velopment of Arid America as it wa
ho to enter into a wal for Cuban freedom
"a to expand into West Indian possession
~. or even to extend our guidance I
,.t lands on the other side of the glob
"a jumping meantime clear across an en-
pire within our own borders, which
capable, under development, Of SUI
no porting the entire population Of th
;he United States"
I'LL The Black Hills IL interested in th
nd question and we shall hope for the .
We tive support Of Messrs. Gamble O.
Burke upon such legislation.