The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1902-02-15

country Is tnat the gentlemans o po-
sition?
Mr.. Sibley-That is a question whose
answer is involved in doubt. l do not
know what you now propose or may
propose in appropriating these millions ];
but when you legislate to give all the
lands held by this great United States
Government for the plishment of
this purpose. l do know what difference
it would make whether you take $780,
900 900 out of the vaults OF the Treasury
or keep $3.50, 100000 Of money which
might arise from a Government sale Of
land.
Mr.. Newlands-Will the gentleman
permit me to state briefly what the OBJ
lects are?
Mr.. Sibley-I would reply to my friend
from Nevada that have no doubt in the
wide latitude allowed in the debate on
this bill he will have ample opportunity
to express bis views. The gentleman has
frequently spoken on the subject of irri-
CATION and made most eloquent present
atoms Of its merits. / have always list
ened with great pleasure to my friend
from Nevada. He has exh austed about
the entire stock of argument in favor OF
the project, SO far as his side is concerned,
on the floor OF this House. | am not
attempting on this occasion to make
much Of an argument; but as the COM
mittee are considering measure for the
irrigation of arid lands and propose to
submit it to this body, desire to ad-
vance my reason in opposition to that
scheme.
Mr.. Newlands-Mr. Chairman, the
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sib-
ley) has sounded "a note Of warning" re-
garding the demand Of the West that ap-
propriate legislation should be adopted
by Congress promoting the settlement OF
public lands in that region. Strange to
say, the gentleman sounded this note
upon bill providing for the urgent de-
fcencies OF the Government a bill
which attests the growing extravagances
Of the Government; bill which pro-
vides large appropriation for permanent
notifications in the Philippine Islands;
a bill supplementing appropriations in
volving expenditures Of at least 800, ,000,-
900 annually in the subjugation of those
islands and the maintenance there OF
American supremacy; appropriations
which the gentleman supports as part
of our external policy, policy which,
according to the recommendations OF the
Secretary of War. will involve the ex-
penditure OF at least 81, 100000 in the
purchase OF lands from the religious or
ders and their distribution amongst the
Philippine people.
And upon this bill, attesting the liber-
ality, the generosity, and the extrava-
gance OF the country in other directions,
and which contains not a word on the
subject OF Western irrigation, the gentle
man sounds, repeat. note Of warning,
raises the cry of economy" in COVER
mental expenditures, insists that our in
ternal policy should be cramped and con-
tracted so as to impair the development
of the West. whose competition he fears
in the raising OF farm products, and with
vivid imagination he pictures Western
raid upon the National Treasury and the
consequent imposition Of additional bur-
dens upon the taxpayers Of the country.
Reckless concerning extravagant expend-
itures abroad. he is concerned about rea-
sonable development at home. He
would at great expense expand our ex-
ternal empire whilst he would dwarf the
Republic whose Western States form q
part OF that great Louisiana purchase the
development OF which has been the glory
OF the Republic and the crowniDg
achievement OF the century. Since the
gentleman thus challenges Western sen.
timent and Western development, it be-
comes me as Western man to accept
the challenge.