The Red Cloud chief., 1904-10-07
Dreamed They Fathsred National Irrigation, but
Facts Show It Was Only a Dream.
TRUE HISTORY OF REPUBLICAN MEASURE
Federal Aid to irrigation Originated with a
Republican Administration Fifteen
Years Ago-RooseveIt's Per-
sonal Triumph.

The Democratic party would have the
hniritiated believe that it IL responsible
for all good things. Where II could not
be successfully contrndicteI within a
given time. IT would not hesitate to
claim the cre,kt for the Deca!ogue. the
Christian era. the discovery nf America,
the Declaration " Independence, the al.
illustrations of Washington and lin
coin. the construction or the Panama
canal, or. in fact. any old thing.
The Democratic press now has the
hardihroL ~ openly assert that tho party
OF negation and calamity Is responsible
for the National lrrigstion Act. IN
keeping with the traditional revelations
OF its notorious ''hindsight" it has dis
coverel that this same National lrrlra-
ton Act OF President liu,sevelt's is cal.
culated to add a new industrial empire
to the Uaited States. 1t would fain give
this the "me-too' accent. but it is toO
late. What are the recorded factsf
Let History Speak.
Tue FIRST move on the part Of the fed
eral government to reclaim the arid West
began rs tar back as 1889. under Presi-
dcit Harrisun's Republican administra-
tion. when Il bill was passed by Congress
authorizing an investigation W this sub
Jcct with a view OF ascertaining TO what
extent the arid regions of the United
states can he benefited by irrigation.
This bill appropriated SloU.00O for topo-
graphical surveys for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1850. 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 of the Secretary of the Interior,
ana Major Powell was directed to make
his report as early as possible. Upon
his report and thc recommendations OF
the Secretary Of the Interior. the $780,
600 was supplemented by an additional
appropriation OF S2J0,O0O by the passage
OF an act for the further Investigation
of the arid regions. A committee OF
Senator's WAS appointed TO visit the arid
regions or the different Western States
and territories. during the Summer OF
II completed its work OF investi.
eation and made its report after having
Travelled 1000 miles and having been on
the road fifty days.
Republicans lead the Way.
The Republican national convention
held in Philadelphia in June. 1900, re-
ferred u irrigation in the national plat.
form as follows: "ln further pursuance
of tie constant policy OF the Republican
party 10 provide free homes on the pub
lie domain We recommend adequate Ma
Goiial 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. initiating and following the lead
OF the Republican party in all matters
Of progress. adopted the following plank
in their platform at Kansas City in July.
300 I'VE favor an intelligent system
of improving the arid land of the West.
storing the waters for the purpose OF
irrigation and the holding OF such lands
for actual settlers"
Roosevcit Prime Mover.
In his message to the Fifty-seventh
Congress President Roosevelt clearly and
vigorously urged the enactment OF legis.
lation in aid Of development by irrigation
of the great arid portions or our coun-
try. Encouraged by the Presidents
earnest and vigorous recommendation.
tie members OF both branches OF Con
grcsS from the arid and semi-arid States
met in the early days OF the session, ap.
pointed a committee OF one from each OF
the said States and territories. with Sen
ator Warren Of Wyoming, Il Republican.
as chairman, for the purpose of drafting
an irrigation measure.
This committee labored earnestly and
faithfully. and finally presented to the
full representation from the West a bill
which was accepted by them. introduced
in tile Senate by Senator Hansbrough.
z Republican, aud in the House by Rep
resentative NewlaNds. which bill, with
subsequent amendments. was the founda-
ton for the present national irrigation
act.
On May IA, 1902, in presenting the bill!
70 the House Congressman Newlands re-
fcrred to President Roosevclt's message
or irrigation and quoted the same in its
entirety. thus admitting that the Presi-
dents influence for the measure was the
strongest at that time.
President Alters Bill.
This measure was known as the Hans
brough- Newlands bill. and became the
basis upon which the committee work
was done, but as drafted it never became
q law. Ii was discussed by a self-con-
s.ituted committee OF representatives
from all the States concerned, which met
nearly every day during December and
on Dec. 2S agreed upon the form OF the
revised bill. which. after still further
changes by the Senate committee. passed
the Senate without revision on March .,
1902.
But in the form in which 1t was rec
commended by the general committee OF
which Mr.. NeNlauls WAS secretary. and