The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1899-10-21
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IN FAVOR OF IRRIGATION.

y
Missoula, Senator Carter was an in
huential figure. He discussed the
great question under consideration
with an ability born of extensive OBJ
servation and broad experience. He
was introduced as one of the men
who have always recognized the JUS
tice of the claims of the west. SEN
ator Carter expressed his regrets
that he had not been here all during
the session of the congress, but ex-
planned it by stating he had been to
California to welcome regiment
that in l9 months had engaged in
IL battles and had never retreated
an inch. 1t is fact that the real
fighting force of the volunteer army
has come from the states west of the
Mississippi. Senator Carter pre-
sented the regrets of Governor
Smith at his inability to be present.
The question of irrigation, Sena-
tor Carter said, is not local one.
1t affects Massachusetts as much as
it does Montana. All of the lands
that will produce crops without irri-
cation is taken up. There is no
land left vacant but timber land and
arid land 1t is no longer possible
for the poor emigrant to come west
and make home for himself. 1t
follows that capital must precede fu-
ture settlement of the west. 1t
means that the limit has been reach
of the railway business and of de-
velopment. 1t was thought while
ago that the solution of this problem
lay in ceding the public lands to the
several states. However, it soon
became apparent that interstate diff
fculties would arise, and that lack
of means on the part of states would
prevent development. Then it was
asked why should not the govern
ment store the waste waters of win
ter for use in the dry months. The
question of constitutional right hav-
ing been settled, there is no legal
obstacle in the way of carrying out
these plans. This part of the coun
try is entitled to its share of annual
appropriations for river and harbor
improvement. 1t so happens that in
congress the states of the arid belt
have the power to prevent any fur
ther appropriation of this kind un-
less some part of it goes to the con-
struction of storage reservoirs at the
headwaters of rivers. In this way
the appropriation can be compelled.
In this connection occurs the
question of market for our pro-
ducts. Mr.. Carter then made an ar
gument in favor of the Asiatic mark
ct that is developing for our benefit.
"This will prevent opposition
from the east, which is jealous of
any development that will interfere
with it's markets. Eastern manu-
facturers and shippers should be
made to understand that we need
their assistance and that success in
this line means larger markets for
their products. We do not ask this
as suppliants, but as men demanding
our rights. If the arid states help
pay for dredging harbors, the coast
states should help to build reservoirs
for us. The federal senate has a
majority in favor of this work. The
stubborn opposition is in the lower
house. 1t must be overcome, and it
can be overcome by education and
interesting the people who elect
congressman.
"One of the greatest benefits
which will result from the reclama-
ton of these now sterile plains is the
fact that it will build up homes for
thousands of sturdy, honest citizens,
such as these western states have
sent to the war; men who can al
ways be depended upon"
Senator Carter expressed gratifi-
cation over the fact that the next
meeting is to be held in Chicago.
He repeated the arguments advanc-
ed by the friends of Chicago at the
meeting of the session and express
ed the belief that this next meeting
will be the last one that it will be
necessary to hold in order to induce
congress to undertake the work we
have been urging for so long.
Mr.. Carter was greeted with re-
peated applause. Ex-Governor Nc