Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1901-01-31
How Republicans Keep Pledges.

Washington, D. c., Jan. 14.-''The
republicans of Colorado need an eye
lopener-and here is a heoric one for
them" Said Representative Bell this
morning.
Probably nothing so eyinces the
difference between the Interpretation
of the law before and after election,
as the action-or rather attitude-of
the republicans in the project of re-
claiming the arid lands of the west.
''The votes of the western people
were necessary to carry the election,
and this plank was inserted in the re-
publican platform.
I'm further pursuance of the con-
slant policy of the republican party to
provide free homes on the public do
main, we recommend adequate nation
al legislation to reclaim the arid lands
of the United States, reserving con-
troll of the distribution of water for
irrigation to the respective states and
territories.
THAT was their policy-before the
election" continued Mr.. Bell with
much emphasis.
The democratic platform read: eve
favor an intelligent system of improv-
ing the arid lands of the west, storing
the waters for purposes Of irrigation,
and the holding of such lands for act
ual settlers"
Several days ago." resumed Mr..
Bell, 81 endeavored to get an appro-
priation from the river and harbor
committee, to store the waters of the
Platte and Rio Grande rivers. At that
time / brought up the subject of irri-
eating the arid lands of Colorado and
other western states, and reminded
the House that not only was it the
policy of the democratic party, but
the republicans as well. I pointed out
to them the plank in their platform.
"And here comes the eye opener.
81 was greeted with TRADE Of re-
sentiment and sarcasm. Three of the
biggest republican leaders-Grosvenor
Hepburn and Hill-rose in their seats
and denounced such policy.
sit was side isSue-a very small
| u1dUUS1j WI14C11 11O OI1S pt1O oily dUUSIl-
tion to, suggested one of them.
(Which no one paid any attention
to?-He is vastly mistaken. It was
bait put out to catch western votes.
(Which no one paid any attention
to?-No, certainly not the republi-
cans, for they were not sincere in
their promises.
''Mr. GrOSvenor rose in his seat and
said: "The government has no right
to reclaim those lands. The issue in
the platform was a minor matter-of
no Importance. Do you suppose Ohio
and the other states of the union are
willing to build up a competition for
themselves, and pay for it at that? he
asked.
$50 it has resolved itself into par
ty light" continued Mr.. Bell. State
jealousy is going to take the place of
justice and honorable promises.
"Mr. Hill suggested to the commit
tee that it might just as well pass
law to rake off the cobble stones of
New England as to endeavor to irri-
gate the west. 1t would probably
prove more profitable, he added, and
much less expensive.
| Another republican leader, and
one who before election was glib in
his promises, now declares that the
arid lands will never be reclaimed I'M
til the United States is in urgent need
of the food product from them.
SIN the campaign in all the arid
states the republican speakers and the
democratic speakers wed with one an
other, read and re-read their plat
forms, each insisting that if their can
didate should be elected he would
more vigorously enter upon the per-
Torrance than the other party.
I'm the state of Colorado Senator
Wolcott on every stump declared to
the public that if Mr.. Mckinley and
the legislature for his return should
be elected they would enter upon this
reclamation at once.
81 have received several letters from
Mr.. Goudy disappearing of my bill,
which offers to repay to the govern
ment the appropriation which it
might make to reclaim the arid lands
of the west, and declaring that con-
gress would do it gratis. Still another
proof that we Coloradoans needed an
eye opener.
"Do it gratis? Why they won't
even do it when they would, as it
were, only be advancing the money on
a certain proposition.
j 81 hn ,rn hnn,, told. !. d. 49, IL.