The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-07-06
Special correspondence

ASHlNCfTON, ID. G, July A.
III Western members Of congress are
W going home fairly well satisfied
with what has been accomplished at
his session for the west. They have
cause 90 be we'll satisfied, for no con-
rress within recollection has done so
,ri;ch for western interests as the Fiji
tv-saventh. Nearly everything the
west has asked for and has been ask.
Ing for the past ten years. has been
granted az this session; and many
things which the west does not want
have been definitely and permanently
rejected. These favorable results have
been obtained mainly through western
representatives dropping for the time
political animOsities and working har-
u1oniously for western interests
The greatest achievement of the ses-
sion of course. is the irrigation bill
Al The commencement of the session.
ACCOMPLISHMENT Of success in efforts to
obtain government aid for the reclanla-
ton of the arid lands of the west was
a mere dream: but the western mem
hers set seriously to work, and in a
series Of meetings held nightly for
nearly two months, the representatives
pf sixteen states and territories har-
monized differences as to methods of
procedure and formulated a bill which
eventually passed the senate and house
and is now a law. The full measure
Of the Importance of this law is Just
beginning to be realized. 1t goes be-
yond any river and harbor law. or
any Of the general appropriation bills
which have to be renewed yearly The
irrigation law is a definite appropria-
ton act and provides in itself the
means for advancement and growth.
By the time work can be commenced
on any project under this act, there
will be available for the construction
OF irrigation works fully $4,000. 900. Ari-
coma. california. Colorado, Idaho, Kan
Sss, Montana. Nebraska. Nevada, New
Mexico. Utah. South Dakota, Washing
ton. North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon
and Wyoming are all included in its
benefits
Statehood For Territories.
Statehood for the territories of
Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona
has been secured at this session Of
congress. True. the bill providing for
the admission of these territories has
not passed the senate. but a definite
date for it's consideration has been Sc
cured. and this. in the opinion of
friends Of the territories, is equivalent
TO their admission. On Dec. 10 next.
by the agreement reached in the sem
ate. the statehood bin will be taken
up in the senate as unfinished bust
ness ard be disposed of.
The enactment of legislation provid-
ing for the construction of an isthmian
canal has been approved by every
trans Mississippi congress held in the
western states for the past decade.
The route to be selected has been
question Of minor Importance with
western people. and the final decision
Of congress in favor of the Panama
route does not detract in any sense
from the benefit which ii is believed
the construction of an isthmian canal
win be to the entire country.
Important proposed legislation which
has been definitely defeated at this
session of congress is that providing
for the leasing of public lands in the
west Rightly or wrongly, the west
during the past two years has gen
orally declared against land leasing
propositions. Hearings were given by
the house public lands committee dur
ing the session on the various leasing
bills. and full opportunity given the
friends Of those measures to present
arguments in their favor. II was unan-
lmOusly decided by the committee not
TO report any leasing bills during the
session. This action is believed to have
defeated definitely legislation of this
nature.
Congress has also rejected the pro-
posed plan Of transferring the control
Of western forest reserves from the
department. of the interior 10 the de-
partment Of agriculture. A measure
providing for such transfer had the
support of the president. and was
earnestly advocated in the house. IL
was opposed by many western mem
hers regardless of political affiliations
and was finally defeated.
Chinese Exclusion.
At the instance of the west. and par
tculsrly Of the coast states. the Chinese
exclusion act has been continued in force
by positive legislative enactment, and
western labor will be protected as here
toiorc against invasion from China
congress has been exceedingly acquies-
cent TO the wishes of the west in opening
up for settlement various Indian reserVa-
lions i'm part unused by the Indians IL
mas been liberal also in amending various
public land acts SO that settlers may nave
ughl of way for irrigating dltches ana
canals across reservations and in making
easier methods for settlers in filing
proofs and making affidavits IN lanu
cases. In this particular the act Whicn
vas adopted allowing atfidavits ana
proofs required to be made by entrymeh
--tA.t NiiF fdEi0hC Adlh avs ~ ~
~ The land district in which the land IS
Situated, regardless OF county lines, VIII
prove OF great convenience
Another matter which has been cor
recte1 at this session of congress Whicn
VIII prove of ultimate general benefit
10 the west Is that connected with letung
%, star route contracts heretofore, such
contracts have been let regardless OF the
residence OF bidders. and consequently
ieW big firms in the east have -oianEet-
o most Of the star routes of the west
slo.,iiiuS the contracts so as 70 MAKE
Profit on each one. Their bids have peen
So ruinouslv low that the star route ser
wee OF the west has been villainous. n
ger New legislation. contractors must i've
On OF contiguous TO their mani routes ,. anu
tls regulation has served 70 increase
prices from 30 TO 80 per cent. and places
Nc contract IN the hands OF local car
Hers. thus ensuring improved service
congress has provided literally Tor con
tnung the work of agricultural expert
!nent stations and for irrigatlng inNesuSa-
uons iV addition to irrigation improve
ment under the general irrigation acL-
y measure of especial benefit TO Cclo-
rado. Utah and Wyoming became a law
QGTlnE The session. This PROVIDES LOT
holding a term OF the circuit court of ap-
leals tor the Eighth judicial circuit OF tne
United States at Denver or Cheyenne in
september of each year The measure
Wi prove 10 be A great convenience Iot
uugsnts ard attorneys in these s.ae :.
Who arc now compelled 10 go to either -
Louis or ST Paul TO transact business De
lore the court Of appeals.
Strictly Western Legislation.
a number of acts applicable to the
stel'S uf Montana. Utah. Idaho and Wyo-
.'."s. Among these are the following:
NA act 90 establish an additional land
SttSll't and land office in the state of
'soI,d ana. Hon. Paris Gibson introduced
- ON in the senate and in securing its
tt;-ssdEe through congress he had the &C
80 deportation Of his colleagues. Sem
-Nof tlurk and REPRESENTATIVE EdWa r0S