The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1903-04-03
Seventh Session and Its Critics

not disclose any very erious mis-
takes. but, on the other hand, does
show some excellent legislation
along right lines The failure to
abolish the Office of state insurance
commissioner wa neither more nor
less than failure to fulfill pre-
election promise, and, it must be
admitted, places the republican
party in a rather awkward case.
The governors recommendation
touching changes In the admins
tration of the game law was not
strictly followed in letter, but its
spirit was practically carried out.
On all important questions, how.
ever, the administration and the
legislature were in practical &C.
cord, AMI the result is generally
very satisfactory. Naturally the
democratic press have sought sub
jects for criticism and, In conse-
quence, some unimportant meas
ures have attained prominence
altogether out of proportion to
their deserts. 1t will be noted,
though, that the really great meas
ures are passed by with little or no
comment.
AT this time 1t is proper to direct
attention to some of these MEAS
ures. The subject OF irrigation,
than which there is none of greater
moment to the people of Idaho, en-.
gagged the careful and painstaking
attention of both houses OF the leg
islature and resulted in re enacting
the district irrigation law with up
wards of hundred amendments
and alterations which experience
had shown to be necessary. In
addition to this law was enacted
providing method for making
water locations. ascertaining and
making record of the present status
of water appropriations and &C.
CURED rights, establishing board
OF water commissioners, defining
their duties and fixing the bound.
aries of their respective districts.
The necessity for, aud the wisdom
of the irrigation legislation of the
seventh session will not be CUES
toned by any one who has given
the subject any sane thought.
These two measures will prove If
incalculable benefit to the people
in general, and, alone, more than
offset any mistakes of omission or
commission which may have been
made. II may be recalled that the
sixth session refused to enact law
similar TO the last one mentioned.
1t is noticeable that the critics of
the administration carefully avoid
discussion Of the merits of the state
funds depository law, and con6ne
themselves to more or less enter
tanning accounts of the dissension
which It has caused in republican
circles. II is we'll enough to know
that this dlssension does not extend |
beyond very limited quarter OF
the lesser Boise. The people OF
the state are almost unanimously
agreed that it is a wise and bentfi
cent fiscal measure, designed 10
check a dangerous practice while
at the same time giving to the
state its legitim te revenues At
tempt has been made to "a Sc hue
and cry about extravagant expend
iture OF the peoples money, but it
has not succeeded very well. The
man who howls apou' extravaganza
Is apt to be brought up shor', be
cause upon looking about he finds
proclaiming against an ap
for a much n, eded
public improve ment right al his
door. The other day a Moscow
economist, journalist aud critic
made himself ridiculous by on one
page .ulogizing the republican
party for increasing The universe y
appropriation from $4,000 to
nearly $Ioo. 900, and then Oh an