The Elbert County tribune. [volume] (Elbert, Elbert County, Colo.) 18??-1920, 1904-10-06
Dreamed They Fathered National Irrigation, but
Facts Show 1t Was Only Dream.
TRUE HISTORY OF REPUBLICAN MEASURE
Federal Aid to Irrigation Originated with
Republican Administration Fifteen
Years Ago-Roosevet's Per-
sonal Triumph.

The Democratic party world have the
uninitiatcd believe that il i1 responsible
for all good things. Where 1t could not
be successfully contradic.ed within a
given time. would not hesitate to
claim the credit for the Deealogue. the
Christian era, the discovery of America,
the Declaration of independence, the adj
ministirttions of Washington and Lin
coin, the construction of the Panama
canal. or. in fact. any old thing.
The Democratic press now has the
hrrdihool TO openly assert that the party
of negntion and calamity is responsible
for the National Irrigation Act. In
keeping with the traditional revelations
of its notorious ''hndsight" it has dis
covered that this same National lrriga-
ton Act Of President I,oosevelt's is cal
culated to aid n new Industrial empire
to the Uiiite'l States II would fain give
this the me too accent. but it is too
kate. What are the recorded facts?
Let History speak.
The frst nave on the part Of the fed
erai government to reclaim the arid West
began as TAR lxlck as 1859. under PreSi-
def Harrisosis Republican atininistra-
ton. when hill was passed by Congress
authorizing an investigation of this sub
ject win view of ascertauing TO what
States can he benefited by irrigation.
This bill appr'prin ted 100000 for topo-
graphical surveys for the fiscal year end
ing June 30. 1880. The money was to
be used under the direction of Major
Powell, the then head of the geological
survey.
The work was placed under the super
vision CT the Secretary of the Interior.
and Major Powell was directed to make
his report early as possible. Upon
his report and The recommendations of
the Secretary of the Interior, the $780,
600 was supplemented by an additional
appropriation OF S25o,oO0 by the passage
of an act for the further investigation
of the arid regions. committee of
Senators WAS appointed 10 visit the arid
regions OF the different Western States
and territories. during the summer of
1890. 1t completed its work OF investI-
CATION and made its report after having
travelled 1000 miles and having been on
the road City days.
Republicans Lend the Why.
The Republican national convention
held in Philadelphia in June, 1000, re-
ferred to irrigation in the national plat
form as follows: .'In further pursuance
of the constant policy of the Republican
party to provide free homes on the pub
lie domain we recommend adequate Ma
eional legislation to reclaim the arid
lands of the United States, preserving
the control of the distribution of water
for irrigation to the respective States
and territories" The Democrats, of
course. imits ting and following the lead
OF the Republican party in all matters
If progress. adopted the following plank
in their platform at Kansas City in July.
1900: I'VE favor an intelligent system
Of improving the arid land Of the West.
storing blse waters for the purpose OF
Irrigation aud the holding of such lands
for actual settlers
Roosevelt Prime Mover.
In his message to the Fifty-seventh
Congress- President Roosevelt clearly and
vigorously urged the enactment of legis-
iation in aid of development by irrigation
Of the great arid portions of eur coun-
try. Encouraged by the Presidents
earnest and vigorous recommendation,
the members of both branches of Con-
Eress from the arid and semi-arid States
met in the early days OF the session. APP
pointed q committee OF one from each of
tho said States and territories, with SEN
ator Warren of Wyoming. Republican.
as chairman. for riie purpose of drafting
an irrigation measure.
This committee labored earnestly and
AujtuluIlf- stbb pItstuttu W tltf
full representation from the West bill
which was accepted by them. introduced
in tie Senate by Senator Hansbrough.
q Republican, and in the House by Rep
rcsentative Ncwlanfs. which hill, with
subsequent amendments. was the founda
tion for the present national irrigation
act.
On May IA. 1902. in presenting the bill
20 the HOUSE, Congressman Newiands re-
ferrei to President R1osevelt's message
Cyl irrigation and quoted the same la its
entirety. inns admitting that the Prrsi-
dents Influence for the measure was the
strongest Mt that time.
President Alters Bill.
This measure was known as the Hans
hyough- Newlands bill and became the
basis upop which the committee work
was done, but rs drafted 1t never became
q law. II was discussed by self-con-
stituted committee of representatives
from all the States concerned, which met
nearly every day during December and
On Dec. % agreed upon the form of the
revised bill. which. after still further
changes by the Senate committee. passed
the Senate without revision on March .,
1y02.
Bnt in the form In which It was rec
commended by the general committee of
which Mr.. Sewlands was secretary. and
In which 1t passed the Senate. the bill
was unacceptable to President Roosevelt
as afording spectators and large Land
owners Opportunity to mOnopolize the
benefits Of the net Mr.. Roosevelt there
fsre sent for Senator Hanshrougb: and
Representatives Metcalf. Moody and
Reeder. all Republicans. who womb have
charge OF the bill in the House. and warn
cd them that unless changed in certain
respects be should he compelled to veto
u.
Checkmatcs the Sharks.
The specific changes that he required