The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-10-07
Dreamed They Fathered National Irrigation, but
Facts Show It Was Only a Dream.
TRUE HISTORY OF REPUBLICAN MEASURE
Federal Aid to irrigation Originated with a
Republican administrator Fifteen
Years Ago-RooseveIt's Per-
sonal triumph

The Democratic party would have the
an.ritiated believe that it is responsible
Cor all good things. Where it could not
BE successfully contradicted within a
given time. it would not hesitate to
claim the credit for the Decalogue, the
Christian era. the discovery Of America.
the Declaration OF independence, the adj
ministrations OF Washington and Lin
coin. the construction Of the Panama
canal, or. in fact. any old thing.
The Democratic press now has the
6ardihood to openly assert that the party
81 negation and calamity is responsible
Cor the National Irrigation Act. In
keeping with the traditional revelations
Of it's notorious .'hindsiyht'' it has dis
covered that this same National lrriga-
tion Act Of President Roosevelt's is cal
culated to add a new industrial empire
TO the Cnited States. 1t would fiin give
this the 'me-too' accent. but it is too
late. What are the recorded facts?
Let History Speak.
The FIRST move on the part Of the fed
eral government to reclaim the arid West
began a< far back as 1889. under Presi-
deir Harrison's Republican administra-
tion, when a bill was passed by Congress
0OtuOIiAIuA al iuNCStISJltVu ~ tHlN sun
ject with a view OF ascertaining to what
extent the arid regions Of the United
States can be benefited by irrigation.
This bill appropriated 100000 for topo-
graphical surveys for the fiscal year end
ing June SO. 1889. 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.
and Major Powell was directed to make
his report as early as possible. Upon
his report and rlc recommendations Of
the Secretary of the Interior, the $780,
600 was supplemented by an additional
appropriation Of $25O.OON ky the passage
of an act for the further Investigation
Of the arid regions. \ committee Of
Senators WAS appointed to visit the arid
regions OF the different Western States
and territories. during the simmer of
1890. 1t completed it's work OF investi-
CATION and made its report after having
Travelled 1900 miles and having been OH
the road fifty days.
Republicans Lead the Way.
Tie Republican national convention
held in Philadelphia in June. 1900. re-
terred to irrigation in the national plat
form ~ follows: in further pursuance
u the constant policy of the Republican
oarty to provide free homes OF the pub
jBc domain we recommend adequate Ma
GtouAl legislation to reclaim the arid
&nnd1 Of the United States. preserving
the control of the distribution of water
Cor irrigation to the respective States
and territories" The Democrats, OF
coprse. Initiating and following the lead
u the Republican party in all matters
~ progress, adopted the followin. plank
n their pla tforln at Kansas City in July.
MOO: I'VE favor an intelligent system
81 improving the arid land Of the West.
ntOfiax die waters for the purpose Of
1rrixatissu aud the holding Of such lands
eor actual settlers.
s Roosevelt Prime Mover.
IA his message to the Fif~ty-seventh
Congress President Roosevelt clearly and
vigorously urged the enactment Of leSis-
aotiOn IL aid Of development by irrigation
~ che great arid portions of u cuun-
lry. Encouraged by the Presidents
earnest and vigorous recommendation,
the members OF both branches Of Con
gresa from the arid and semi-arid States
mel ii the early days or the session. ap-
pointed i committee Of one from each Of
die sid States and territories, with Sem
ator Warren OF Wyoming, u Republican.
~ chairman, fF the purpose OF drafting
~ irrigation measure.
This committee sabored earnestly and
faithfully. and finally presented to the
fuJl representation from the West a BIZ
Which WIS accepted by them, introduced
n tie Senate by Senator Hansbr0nyli.
! Republican. aud in the House by Rep
deeAentatise NewIands. which bill, with
subsequent amendments. was the fOunda4
tf1a Tor the present national irrigation
On Nay a. 1902, in presenting the bill
~ ~ House Congressman Newlands re- !
l1rred t. President RDosevelt's message
- Irrigation md quoted the same in its
oNtarety, thai admitting that the Presi-
1eltss influence for the measure was the |
ntxonSs1t At that time.
rrssiaeas Alters Bill.
IAio measur was known a. the Hans |
MISUNDERSTANDING bill, and became the
easas upon yhich the committee work
- done. blt - drafted II never became
AZ. lt VA discussed by a self-con-
ertneea committee Of Representatives
440m ~ the States concerned. which met
aNeakiy every day during December aud
- Dec. 16 agreed upon the form Of the
Aevased 0Al. which. after still further
~ the Senate committee. passed
without revision on March 2.
1nt n ~ form in which it was rec
%nykeA0ed N IL general committee Of
Il "a. Newl4nds was secretary. and ;
yAtrn ~ passed the Senate, the bill
M%MH&mAAAntAA 49, n---e 49, n