Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-26

West, portions of which are to be
found in each Of the sixteen states and
territories, mentioned in the law, is
directly affected by the national sta
tute-the outcome of intelligent and
persistent efforts of leading citizens.
providing for the reclamation of the
arid lands for the benefit of home
seekers. During the years of the de-
velopment of the measure Which final
ly received the vote of every member of
the upper house of Congress, it en-
countered opposition, based to a large
extent upon the view that the aim of
it's promoters was to secure the bene-
fits of irrigation to private owners at
government expense. Inc ann of the
statute is, however, to enable this vast
territory to reclaim its arid lands with
out calling upon the taxpayers of the
country at large to pay for 1t. Whether
the purposes of the bill will be fully
accomplished must depend in large
measure upon the ability, sobriety of
Judgment, Independence and honesty
of the officers of the interior depart
ment having this great work In charge.
In 1902 the main canals and bitches
in the region affected aggregated more
than tifty-nine thousand miles and the
work of reclamation is but IN its in
fancy. The total cost OF construction
of the necessary head-gates, dams,
main canals, bitches, reservoirs and
pumping stations was at that time Il
little over ninety-three millions of dol
lars, which of itself suggests the hun
dreds of millions that may eventually
be invested in the territory covered by
the statute. The magnitude Of the
conception, and the enormous expense
it's carrying out involves. make us
| realize the overwhelmine Importance
| of a broad. capable and honest ad-
ministration of the work authorized by
| the statute. if effect is to be given to
that part of the plan that relieves the
country at large from ultimate llabll-
ty.
| An Isthmian canal has long been the
| hope of our statesmen, and the avoWed
aim of the two great parties, as their
platforms in the past SHOW. The
Panama route having been selected,
the building of the canal should be
pressed to completion with all reason
able expedition.
The methods by which the Executive
acquired the Panama canal route and
rights are a source of regret to many.
To them. the statement that thereby "a
great public work was assured to the
nrcfit of our people is not SUFFICIENT
answer to the charge of violation OF
national good faith. They appreciate
that the principles and healthy con-
victions which in their working out
have made US free and great, stand
firmly against the argument or sug-
.es ion that we shall be blind to the
mature of the means employed to pro-
mote our welfare. They hold that
adherence to principle, whether it
works for our good or ill, will have a
more benefcent influence on our future
destiny than all our material upbuild-
ing. and that we should ever remem-
Der that the idea of doing wrong to
a smaller, weaker nation that we, or
even all mankind, may have a result
tant good is repugnant to the princi-
pies upon which our government was
founded.
Under the laws of the United States
the duty is imposed on the Executive
to proceed with due diligence in the
work of constructing the canal. That
duty should be promptly performed.
Our commerce in American bottoms
amounts to but nine per cent. of our
total exports and imports. For
forty years prior to 1861. WREN tn"
Republican party came into power. our
merchant marine carried an average of
eighty per cent. of our foreign
commerce. BY 1877 it had dwindled to
twenty-seven per cent. Now we carry
but a contemptibly small fraction OF
our exports and imports.
American shipping in the foreign
trade vas greater by almost one hum
dred thousand tons in 1S1n-nearly n
hundred years ago--than it was last
year. In the face of the continuous de-
cline in the record of American shipping
during the last forty-three years, the
promise of the Republican party to re-
store it is without announcement. The
record, of the Democratic party gives
assurance that the task can be more
wisely entrusted to it.
1t is m arduous task to undo the eff
feet of forty years of dccadenc", and
requires the study and investigation of
those hest fitted by experience t. find
the rcmedy-which surely does not lie
in the granting Of subsidies. Wrung
from the pockets Of all the taxpayers.
Recent disclosures. coupled with the
rapid augmentation Of government ex-
penditures. show a need Of an investi-
cation Of every department of the gov
eminent. The Democrats in Congress
demanded it. The Republican major
ity refused the demand. The people
can determine by their vote in No
vomher whether they wish an honest
and thorough investigation. A Dem
ocratic Congress and Executive will
assure it.
We dre justly proud Of the officers
ard men of our army and navy. Both,
however. have suffered from the per-
slStent injection of personal and politi
cal influence. Promotions and ap-
p"intments have been frequently based
on favoritism instead of merit. Trials
and court-martials have been set aside
under circumstances indicating politi-
cal interference. These and other
abuses should be corrected.
The national Democracy favorS lib
eral pensions to the surviving soldiers
and sailors and their dependents, on
the ground that they deserve liberal