The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1903-05-14
age to see my duty, to stand for my con-
yictlons and to defend the great trust
you have reposed in me this day."

life long hobbies Is an ldea tllat lllere 10
a great future for what was earlier
known, and in a large measure is yet
known, as semi-arid Kansas. He believes
that 1t never was the divine intention to
give western Kansas an unparalleled SOIL
and then deny 1t the moisture required
to stimulate Its productive power. II is
among his plans, more SO than ever since
he attended the irrigation convention ut
Garden city on April Is, to, as early as
possible get the ear Of the photographic
department at Washington for the pur-
pose Of preparing himself for the inltia-
ton Of campaign against the govern
ment with view to inducing 1t to enter
more seriously into some project Of It'll
cation for the prairies Of western Kan
sas He has some views Of his own with
reference to the subject, but he does not
yet know whether they are entirely Tea
sible. He intends to find out, for he does
not believe that 1t would advance q cause
he Is very much interested in to advo-
cate non-feaslble proposition. His mind
on the subject may be gathered from an
unprepared short talk he made at the
Garden City congress April Is as follows:
Gentlemen; The primary object and
purpose of my visit with you here today
was not to talk, but to listen; not to in
struct, but to learn. Since | have been
in the Garden City--this possible garden
spot of the imperial west-I have heard
a great deal Of interest and learned
great deal of value. 10 a Wichita man
water Is always fascinating theme, and
hence say to you that since | have been
out with this congress, and heard 50
many able remarks on this subject OF IT.
rigation, have been interested beyond
expression.
All my days have been spent in what
was once classed as the seml-arld belt,
and from my earliest youth have had 1t
drilled into me that the people of the
west must join hands and efforts to
solve the problem of artificial moisture
You, gentlemen of experience, are here
to solve that problem. Define your plans,
establish their feasibility and | say to
you that If I shall have any voice in the
affairs of this government that voice Will
be in harmony with the wishes Of this
distinguished gathering,
~ can say for myself that have some
ideas on the subject of irrigation, but
they are crude and immature at present,
and without further study | am unable
to demonstrate their feasibility. | do
know from common instinct, however,
that there is something wrong In the or
der of nature-and with ourselves when
billions upon billions Of cubic feet OF
water are allowed to annually roll down
to the sea level, while 1t is needed for the
prosperity and consequent happiness Of
a great and ambitious people on the broad
plains of western Kansas.
1t is entirely inconsistent with the dl-
vine plan to furnish people with rlch
sell of immense depth and flood of sun
shine to stimulate and invigorate it, and
at the same time deny them that third
element so essential to productive poten-
TALLY. | say 1t is inconsistent with the
divine plan and / cannot account, for 1t
on any other theory than that it was the
purpose of the Almighty to reserve for
his favorite people an opportunity to
prove their genius and capacity to rene
dy an oversight Of nature and complete
the unfinished purpose of her law-the
conservation and distribution of abund-
ant moisture to inspire a smiling land TO
a greater productive effort,
Gentlemen, | have great hopes for the
west, and among those hopes is the in
auguration by government Of scientific
system of experiments that will prove
the feasibility Of irrigation. The center
of political power Is moving in the course
of the sun. With power will come pres
tige and with prestige will come a public
ear more sensitive to the voice of our
demands. Capital, and great enter
prises representing capital, are moving In
our direction, and the day Is not far dis
tant when the combined and cooperating
power of capital and the people will make
itself felt in Washington. We have no
reason to lose heart for the present Let
us continue to be persistent in the ad-
vancement of this project Of irrigation
We may not be getting any closer to
Washington, but the factors at Wash
ington are coming closer to us. The in
huence of the west is increasing, both in
the senate and house Of congress. The
speakerships are coming west and giving
important places on important commit
tees to western statesmen, Not only are
hearts beating sympathetic with ours
under the great dome Of the capitol but
there is mighty throbbing heart in the
White House that is pulsating in har-
mony with every legitimate project which
makes for the progress, the prosperity
and the happiness of the west. do not
claim to be a prophet, gentlemen, but !
predict right now that If we all place
our shoulders at the wheel In good earn
est, the name above all names, save that
of the father Of his country, which the
future children of so-called semi-arid
Kansas will revere and bless will be the
name Of Theodore Roosevelt.
"Gentemen, l have / am afraid, taken
up too much Of your time, for the value
given In return, and permit me to say
in conclusion that il I have public
career before me I hope it'will not end
until T,witness the Isthmian canal com
pleted and the products Of the irrigated
west passing through 1t to feed nations
which have felt the pangs Of hunger for
centuries and which can never be fed
properly until they are fed by the cereal
and meat products Of western Kansas
Those products will be among the best