The Weiser semi-weekly signal. (Weiser, Washington Co., Idaho) 1904-1911, 1904-10-01

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ment Of the United States to an Amer
lean citizen shall be accepted the world
over as proof of citizenship
Civil Service.
The statute relating to civil service
is the outcome OF the efforts of thought |
full, unselfish and public spirited citi-
zens Operation under It has frequent !
ly been of such character as to Of
fend against the spirit of the statute
but the results achieved, even under a
partial enforcement of the law, have
been such as to both deserve and COM
mand the utterance of the Democratic
party that it stands committed to the
principle Of civil service reform and
demands It's just and impartial en-
forcement.
Reclamation of Arid Lands.
A vast expanse OF country in the
west, portions Of which are to be found
IN each OF the sixteen states and terri
tories, mentioned In the law, is direct
ly affected by the national statute-the
efforts of leading citizens, providing
for the reclamation Of the arid lands
for the benefit of home seekers. Dur
ing the years or the development of the
measure which finally received the vote
of every member Of the upper house
Of congress 1t encountered opposition,
based to large extent upon the view
that the aim Of its promoters was TO
secure the benefits Of irrigation to
private owners at government expense.
The aim of the statute Ia. however, to
enable this vast territory to reclaim
Its arid lands without calling upon the
taxpayers Of the country ut large to
pay for 1t. Whether the purposes Of
the bill will be fully accomplished must
depend in large measure upon the abil-
ity. sobriety of judgment, independ-
encs and honesty of the officers of the
Interior department having this great
work in charge.
In 1902 the main canals and bitches
in the region affected aggregated more
than $4,000 miles, and the work of rec
lamation is but in its infancy. The to
tai cost of construction OF the neces
sary head gates, dams, main canals
| bitches, reservoirs and pumping sta
tions was at that time little owe
sos, ZOO, 600, which of itself suggest
the hundreds of millions that ma,
eventually be invested in the territor
covered by the statute. The magnl
tude of the conception and the enol
nous expense its carrying out involve
make us realize the overwhelming in
Il portance of broad, capable and homes
administration of the work authorize
by the statute II effect is to be give
to that part of the plan that relieve
the country at large from ultimate lii
bility.
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Panama Canal.
An isthmian canal has long been tn
hope of our statesmen and the avov
ed aim of the two great parties, q
their platforms in the past show. I'll
Panama route having been selects
: the building of the canal should
pressed to completion with all reaso
l able expedition.
acquired the Panama canal route ar
+ rights are a source of regret to man
e To them the statement that thereby
great public work was assured to d
q profit of our people is not sufficie
II answer to the charge of violation
national good faith. They apprecia
that the principles and healthy convl
! tions which In their working out ha'
\ made US free and great stand firm
,e against the argument or suggesti'
l. that we shall be blind TO the natu
a. of the means employed to promote o
n welfare. They hold that adherence
10 principle, whether 1t works for o
m good or i'll, will have more benz
70 cent influence on our future desti
~ than all our material upbuilding, a
n that we should ever remember I'll
rs the idea of doing a wrong to a sma
70 er weaker nation that we, or even
: mankind. may have a resultant go
,v is repugant to the principles up
m which our government was founded
a. Under the laws of the United Sta
,s the duty is imposed on the execut
80 10 proceed with due diligence In
80 work OF constructing the canal. III
ey duty should be promptly performed
10 American Shipping.
le Our commerce In American botto
ls amounts 70 but 8 per cent OF our q
pl exports and imports, For seye
zee years prior 10 1880, when the Rep
'p' licaB party came into power, our u
vp chant marine carried an average
/" 70 per cent Of our foreign CONNIE
rs BY 1877 4 bad 1wipdled 70 ~ PSF q
'sp Now Nc carry but q contempt
'ps ' small fraction " our skporx ane
- ports.
Amerlcep shipping ip fhe fof'
arc trade vas sreateF W oyef iVVfov
0f ~ 1910 nearly 100 years ago iph
or was Last year. ln ihe face " ule
Iho flnuous deollne W fhe record " AZ
Ilo lcop shipping during ile leal fo