Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1904-09-26

. .tfervc our own rights, for a
free people cannot withhold freedom
from another people and themselves
remain free. The liberation OF ty-
ranny over others will soon breed con-
tempt for freedom and s~elf'govern'
ment, and weaken our power Of resist
ance 10 Insidious u%surpation Of our
constitutional rights.
American Citizenship.
The pledge OF the platform 10 Sc
cure to our citizens. without distinc'
ton Of race or creed, whether native
born or naturalized, at home and
abroad the equal protection OF
the laws and the enjoyment OF
all the rights and privileges
open 10 them under the
covenants OF our treaties, as their Just
due. should be made good 10 them.
In the accomplishment Of that result
Il Is essential that a passport issued
by the government OF the United
States 10 an American citizen shall
be accepted the world over as a proof
Of citizenship.
Civil Service.
M. .,,,,,. ,olating IN civil ser.
vice Il the outcome of the efforts OF
thoughtful, unselfish and public spirit
cd citizens. Operation under 1t has
frequently been of such a character
as TO offend against the spirit OF the
statute, but the results achieved, even
under a partial enforcement of the
law, have been such as to both de-
serve and command the u%tterance OF
the democratic party that it stands
committed to the principle of civil SER
vice reform and demands It's just and
impartial enforcement.
Reclamation OF Arid Lands.
A vast expanse Of country In the
west. protions of which are to be
found In each OF the sixteen states
and territories, mentioned in the law,
ia directly affected by the national
statute-the outcome Of intellige
and persistent efforts Of leading cit
liens, providing for the reclamation
of the arid lands for the benefit OF
home-seekers. During the years OF
the development Of the measure which
| finally received the vote of every
J member Of the upper house of con-
gress, it encountered opposition, bas-
| ed to a large extent upon the view
| that the aim Of It's promoters was to
| secure the benefits of irrigation to
| private at government eX-
pense. The aim Of the statute is,
however, to enable this vast territory
to reclaim its arid lands without call
ing on the taxpayers of the country at
large TO pay for it. Whether the pur-
poses Of the bill will be fully accomp-
lished must depend. in large meas
ure upon the ability. sobriety of judg-
ment. independence 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 fifty.nine thousand miles
and the work of reclamation is but in
It's infancy. The total cost Of CON
struction OF the necessary head-gates,
dams, main canals. bitches. reservoirs
and pumping stations was at that
time a little over ninety.three millions
Of dollars, which of itself suggests the
hundreds Of millions thar may eyentu-
ally be invested in the territory cover.
| ed by the statute. The magnitude Of
the conception and the enormous X
pense its carrying out involves, makes
MS realize the overwhelming import
ance of a broad, capable and honest
administration 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 LA.
bility.
Panama Canal.
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 select
ed. the building OF the canal should
be pressed TO completion with all rea-
sonable expedition.
The methods by which the execu-