The Springfield herald., 1904-10-07
Dreamed They Fathered National Irrigation, but
Facts Show 1t Was Only Dream.
TRUE HISTORY OF REPUBLICAN MEASURE
Federal Aid to Irrigation Originated with a
Republican Administration Fifteen
Years Ago-RooseveIt's Per-
sona Triumph

The Democratic party would have the
uni 1iatel believe that it Is responsible
FOR all COED things. Where it could not
be successfully contradicted within a
given time, would not hesitate to
claim the credit for the Decalosue. the
Christian era. the discovery of America.
.he Declaration of independence, the ad-
ministrltions of Washington and lin
COLI, the construction of the Panama
canal, or. in fact, any old thing.
The Democratic press now has the
hardihOol to openly assert that the party
Of ncgation and calamity is responsible
for the National Irrigation Act. In
Keeping with the traditional revelations
Of its notori0ns "hndsisht" it has dis
covered that this same National lrriSa
ton Act of President Rousevet's is cal
culated to add new industrial empire
10 che Urited Safes. 1t would fain give
ti,ia the "me-tJo' accent. but it is too
late. What are the recorded facts!
Let History Speak.
The first nsove on the part Of the fed
ersl government to reclaim the arid w est
bcgo. as far back as 1889, under Presi-
dela IIarrison's Republican adninistia-
ton, when a bill was passed by Congress
authorizing an investigation of this sub
ject with view of aSccrtainins to what
extent the arid regions of tile United
States can he benefited by irrigation.
This bill appropriated 100000 for topo-
graphical surveys for the fiscal year end
ing June 80. 1850 The money was ia
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,
and Major Powell was directed to make
lLis report as early as possible. Upon
his report and rhe recommendations OF
the Secretary of the Interior, the $lOO.
900 was supplemented by an additional
approximation of S2o0,000 by the passage
OF AZ act for the further investigation
OF the arid regions. A committee OF
Solahors was appointed to visit the arid
resioYs OF the different Western States
and territories. during the summer of
1890 II completed its work of investi-
s,atisn and made its report after having
travelled II, 900 miles and having been on
the road City days.
Republicans Lead the Way.
The Republican national convention
held in Philadelphia in June, 1900. re-
ferrea to irrigation in the national plat
forn rs 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
tioiiai legislation to reclaim the arid
lands Of the United States. preserving
the control of the distribution of water
for irrigation 10 the respective States
and territories" The Democrats ol
course. initiating and following the lead
OF the Republican party in all matters
I'D. In, f,,li -it,sr AMI
in their platform at Kansas City in July
1900: I'VE favor an Intelligent system
of improving the arid land OF the West
storing the waters for the purpose OF
irrigation and the holdin. of such lands
for actual settlers
Roosevelt Prime Mover.
in MS message to the Fifty seventh
Congress President Roosevelt clearly and
vigorously urged the enactment Of legis-
aton in aid of development by irrigation
OF the great arid portions of our couu'
try, Encouraged by the President 5
earnest and vigorous recommendation
the members of both branches of Con
gress from the arid and semi-arid States
met in the early days of the session. ap'
pointed n committee of one from each OF
the said States and territories, with Sen
ator Warren of Wyoming, Republican,
as chairman, for the purpose of drafting
an irrigation measure.
THIS committee kbored earnestly and
faithfully, and finally presented to the
full representation from the West II bill
which was accepted by them. introduced
in tile Senate by Senator Hansbrough.
n Republican, and in the House by Rep
resentative Newlands. which bill, witt!
subsequent amendments, was the fouada-
ton for the present national irrigation
act.
On May II. 1902. in presenting the bill
to the House Congressman Newlands re-
ferrod to President Roosevcit's MESA sc
on irrigation and quoted the same in its
entirety, thus admitting that the Presi
dents influence for the measure was the
srr0ngest at that time.
President Alter. Bill.
This measure was known as the Hans
brough- Newlauds bill and became the
Iasis upon which the committee work
was DONE but as drafted it never becam,
law. 1t was discussed by a self-con-
stituted 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
,he Senate without revision OR March 9,
1902.
But in the form in which it was rec
commended by the general committee OF
which Mr.. Newands was secretary, and
in which it passed the Senate. the bill
was unacceptable to President Roosevelt
as affordng spectators and large land
owners opportunity 10 monopohze the
brnetits of the act Mr.. Roosevelt there
fore sent for Senator Hansbrough: and
Representatives Metcaif. Moody and
R+eder. all Republicans. who would have
charge OF the bill in the House. and warn
ed them that unless changed in certain
respects he should be compelled to veto
chcckmates the Sharks.
The specific changes that he required
we're first. that the Secretary of the In