Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-12-04
PRESIDENTS
FIRST MESSAGE
Continued from first page.

and internal taxes continues to exceed
the ordinary expenditures OF tie sov-
ei nment. The utmost care should
be taken not to reduce the revenues
that there will be any possibility of
a deficit; but after providing against
any such contingency means should
be adopted which will bring the rev.
enues more nearly within the limits
OF u actual need.
Interstate Commerce Act.
In 1887 a measure was enacted for
the regulation Of Interstate railways,
commonly known as the Interstate
Commerce Act" The law was large
ly an experiment. Experience has
shown the wisdom OF its purposes but
has also shown possibly that some OF
its requirements are wrong; certainly
that the means devised for the en-
forcements of its provisions are de-
fective. The act should be amended.
The railway is a public servant; its
rates should be just and open to all
shippers alike. At the same time ii
must not be forgotten that our rail
ways are the arteries through which
the commercial life blood of this ma
ton flows. Nothing could be more
foolish than the enactment of legisla.
tion which would interfere with the
operation of these commercial agen-
cies.
Farming and Stock interests.
A department of agriculture during
the past fifteen years has steadily
broadened its work on economic lines
and has accomplished results of real
value in upbuilding domestic and for
eign trade. Very pracucal aid has
been given farming and stock
growing interests. The products o.
the farm have taken an unprecedent-
ed place in our export trade during
the year that has just been closed.
.,,-- Need of Water Laws. gs-
Whatever the nation does for the
extension of irrigation shouldharmo.
nize with and tend to improve the
conditions of those now living on ir.
rigated lands. In the eyes of the
state the only right to water which
should be recognized is that Of use.
III irrigation this right should attach
to the land reclaimed and be insep.
arabic therefrom. Granting perpet-
ual water rights to other than users
without compensation to the public
is open to the objections which ap.
ply to the giving away of perpetual
franchises to the public utilities of
cities. A few of the western states
have already recognized this and
have incorporated in their constitu'
tons the doctrine of perpetual state
ownership of water. Ultimately II
will probably be necessary for the
nation to co-operete with the several
arid states in proportion as these
states by their legislation and admin
istration show themselves fit to re
ceive. The pioneer settlers of the
arid public domain chose their homes
along streams from which they
could divert the water to reclaim
their holdings. The policy of the
national government should be to aid
irrigation In the several states and
territories in such manner as will
enable the people in the local com
munities to help themselves, and az
will stimulate needed reforms in the
state laws and regulations governing
irrigation. No reservoir or cana
should ever be built to satisfy selfish
personal or local interests; but only
in accordance with the advice Of
competent experts after long inves
tigation has shown the locality
where all the conditions combine
to make the work most needed ant
ness to the community as the whole
InsuIar Legislation.
In Hawaii our aim must be to de
velop the territory on the traditional
American lines. Wedo not need {
region of large estates titled by cheaI
labor; we wish a healthy American
community of men who themselves
till the farms they own. Our legis
lation for the islands should b.
shaped with this end in view; thu
well being of the average homemade,
must afford a true test of the health,
development of the islands. Thu
land policy should be as nearly a
possible modelled on our Homestead
system. In our anxiety for the wei
fare and progress of the Philippine
it may be that we have gone to-
nm nidI, in atutna than, Local coli