Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-10-12
sMYTHE ON IRRIGATION,
Says Democrats "Forced Bill"
Through Congress.


American Fork. Utah Oct ll.-Wil-
liam e. smythe. Of California Father
Of the national irrigation movement
and well known as an author and
speaker, began an eight days campaign
in Utah at the Democratic rally here
this evening.
His speech was almost entirely deyot-
ed to the discussion OF the possibilities
OF Utah in connection with the dec
laration Of the ST. Louis platform In
favor Of a great policy Of domestic de-
yel0pment as an alternative OF the ke-
publican policy Of military empire. tie
replied 10 the western speeches Of Sem
ator Fairbanks and Secy Shaw on the
irrigation question, taking as text the
following extract from the speech or
the Republican vice presidential candl-
date.
after a Republican Congress enacted
the irrigation measure upon the recon-
mendation Of Republican president,
a Democratic convention has the el-
frontery deliberately 20 claim that the
Democracy Is the author Of the great
irrigation policy
Mr. Smythe said In part:
Unlike our Republican friends, the
Democracy does not possess the brazen
affrontery to claim the credit for all
the good that has come TO the United
states during the past 30 years, nor for
all the good that came to the country
during the previous half century OF
Democratic rule II does not claim to
have created the sunshine or the rain
the fertile soil or the vast mineral
wealth. nor does II claim to be the au-
thor OF all the trlumphs OF human IN.
dustry and genius which have swelled
the sum OF the national greatness.
But II Il be effrontery TO Insist mat
simple justice shall be done our party
In regard TO its Irrigation record and
policy, past and future, then the Dem
ocracy does so without apology
NO Democrat denies that President
Roosevelt recommended the passage OF
the irrigation bill, nor that he signed
the measure when II came to hin. But
we DO deny that the bill was the pro
duct OF Republican statesmanship or
that II was passed by Republican votes.
Every political party In the United
States declared for the irrigation policy
In their platforms OF 1900. Democrats
proceeded TO redeem the pledge on the
very first day that Congress assembled
after election. Francis G. Newlands
introduced his epoch-making measure
Jan. &c. 1901, during McKlnley's first
term This bill contained practically all
the vital principles Of the law now on
the statute book The scheme for a
permanent reclamation fund, composed
OF the receipts OF the land office,
united the west and dlsarmed the
opposition OF the east II was dis
cusscd under the name OF The New
lands Bill by men and newspapers OF |
every shade OF belief. No one disputed |
IT'S Democratic origin AZ that time
I'm the house debates The Newlands' |
Bill was bitterly fought by Republican |
leaders. Speaker Cannon said that |
rather than support II he would repu-
date the Republican irrigation plank, |
Gr0Yenor Of Ohio denounced Is as a |
great national wrong Moody, now at
torney- general said he regarded II |
with grave apprehension, Hepburn Of
Iowa called Il the most iNrolcut at- |
tempt at larceny ever embodied in a |
legislative proposition. But the Demo-
Gratis overwhelmed these Republican |
leaders In debate. When the vote was |
taken there ware it6 IN favor and 55 |
against, "a being required TO pass the
bill The Democrats gavo II, an actual |
majority, while the Republicans gave |
60, a minority. OF those opposed i2 |
were Republicans and only lS Demo-
Gratis. Such IS the claim OF the 81. |
Louis platform and Senator Fairbanks
did not attempt to dispute It speclhcal-
~. but only IN glitterlng generaliies."
Mr. Smythe proceeded TO discuss
"the general proposition Of developing
the resources OF the United states as /
opposed TO the Republican policy OF
vast and growing expenditures for |
fleets. armies aud colonial expansion
lie declared that Uncle sam IL not rich |
enough to build the republic as It
ought 10 he built and exploit The orient |
at tho same time" He then discussed |
that feature OF the st. Louis PLATFORM |
which declares that The Newlands |
Law rs an evidence OF the policy Of ]
domestic DEVELOPMENT contemplated by