The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1904-10-07

4at party would have the
81 s4ias eye NAtt it i} responsible
fer seol ttn4s. Where ii could not
bc heeessGlllly contradirtel within a
glveH iiine. it would MOI hesitate Ia
claim tue credit Tor the l~>eealoguc, the
Christian era, tAe discovery Of America,
the - iaratio.t oi Independence. the al
mitistFaGioas OF Washington and lin-
coin the construction of tle Panama
eaua', or. in fact, any old thing.
Inc Democratic press now has thc
haEllhood 10 openly assert thai the party
of nesation and calamity is responsible
Cor the National Irrigation Act. In
keeping with the traditional revelations.
OF itS notorious "hindsight' it has dis
covered that this same National Irriga-
ZION Act of President Roosevelt's is cal
%culafei 10 add "A new industrial empire
I" ia9 United States. 1t would fain give
tlis Tie me too" accent. but it is too
late, What are the recorded facts:
Let History Speak.
The FIRST move on the part of the 'ed-
cral Spyernmeut to reclaim the arid West
!'r.ill rs far back as 1889, under Presi-
dent !larrisons Republican adlninistrn-
ton. when a hill was passed by Congress
authorizing an investigation of this sub
Jcet with a view of ascertainins to what
extent the arid regions of the United
States can be benefited by irrigation.
THIS bill appropriated 100000 for topo-
graphical surveys Tor the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1850. The money was to
lac used under the direction OF Major
Iowc!t. the then head of the geological
survey.
lae work was placed under the super
vision Of the Secretary OF the interior,
ah't Mayor Powell was directed TO make
his report Us early us possible. Upon
AlS report and the recommendations of
me Secretary of the Interior. tho $780,
th9 Mas supplemented by an additional
Appropriation of S250,000 by the passage
"i an act FOR the further investigation
OF ihe arid regions. A committee of
Se}:tfors was appointed to visit the arid
re-,o@s of the different Western States
a!fi territories. during the summer of
lsH'. Ut Completed its work of invcsti-
sai af ard mace its report after having
travclel l2,o00 miles and having been ON
1ae road fifty days.
Republicans Lead the Way.
The Republican national convention
held il Philadelphia in Jane. 1900, re-
ferred to irrigation in the national plat
form rs follows: "ln further pursuance
of ih" constant policy of the Republican
party 10 provide free homes on the pub
liz domain we recommend adequate Ma
si"lral legislation To reclaim the arid
laf'!, u the United States. preserving
.A. c~p,lrral of the distribution of water
for irrigation to tie respective States
an: tefri,ories.' The Democrats, of
course, initiating and following the lead
-oi the Republican party in all matters
of progress, adopted the following plank
III their platform at Kansas City in July.
1908. We favor an intelligent system
oil improving the arid land of the West.
storing the waters for the purpose Of
irrigation and the holding of such lands
for actual settlers"
Roosevelt Prime Mover.
In his message to the Tifty-sevcnth
Congress President Roosevelt clearly and
vigorously urged the enactment of legis-
latiol, in aid of development by irrigation
of tAe great arid portions OF our coun-
Try, Encouraged by the Presidents
earnest and vigorous recommendation,
The members of both branches of Con-
grcss from the arid and semi-arid States
met IN the early days of the session, ap-
pointed a committee of one from each of
the said States and territories, with Sen
atnr Warren o. Wyoming, a Republican,
as chairman. for the purpose of drafting
AL irrigation measure.
This committee labored earnestly and
faithfully. and finally presented TO the
full representation from the West Il bill
wh!cn was accepted by them, introduced
in the Senate by Senator Hansbrough,
a Republican and in the House by Rep
rcsentatiye Newlands. which bill. with
subsequent amendments. was the founda-
ton Tor the present national irrigation
act.
On May -, 1902, i'll presenting The bill
TO the House Congressman Newlanls re-
fcrrcd to President Roosevelt's message
Oh irrigation and quoted the same in its
entirety. thas admitting that the Prcs;-
dents influence for the measure was the
strongest at that time.
President Alters Bill.
This measure was known as the Hans
brongh-Newlands bill. and became the
basis upon which the committee work
was done. but as drafted it never became
Il law. 1t was discussed by a sclf-con-
stitntel committee of representatives
tiom all the States concerned, which met
sicarls every day during December and
on Ilec, IS agreed upon the form of the
revised bi!l. which. after still further
changes ny the Senate committee. passed
the Senate without revision on March =,
1IU2.
!:ut =. Ii, form in which it was rec
ofnnncaded by the general committee of
which Mr.. Newlands was secretary. and
III which it passed the Senate, the bill
was unacceptable to President Roosevelt
as ada"ding spectators and large lard
owners opportunity to monopoiize the
benefits "f the act. Mr.. Roosevelt there
fafr seat for Senator Hansbroueh; and
Representatives. Metcalf. Moody aud
Gteiirr. all Republicans. who would have
eAir.n of The bill in The House. and warn
al them tiiat unless changed in certain
'c>:,e2t~ ne should be compelled to veto
1t.
Ci,ccNnatcs the Sharks.
The specific changes that he required
were. first, that the Secretary % the In