The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-09-26

Tort OF leading citizens providing for
the reclamation Of the arid lands for the
benefit of home-seekers. During the
years Of the development of the meas
ure which finally received the vote OF
every member Of the upper house Of
congress, it encountered opposition.
based to a lafge extent upon the view
that the aim of its promoters was to Sc
cure the benefits of irrigation to private
owners at government expense. The
aim of the statute is, however, to ena-
BILE this vast territory to reclaim its
arid lands without calling upon the tax
payers of the country at large to pay
for it. Whether the purposes of the bill
will be fully accomplished must depend
in large measure upon the ability, So
briefly Of judgment, 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 its infan-
cy. The total cost of construction of
the necessary head-gates, dams, main
canals, bitches, reservoirs and pumping
stations was at that time little over
ninety-three millions of dollars, which
Of itself suggests the hundreds of mill
lions that may eventually be invested in
the territory covered by the statute.
The magnitude of the conception, and
the enormous expense its carrying out
involves, make us realize the over
whelming Importance of broad, capa-
Bile 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 liability.
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 Pana-
ma route having been selected, the
building of the canal should be pressed
to completion with all reasonable expe-
dition.
The methods by which the Executive
acquired the Panama canal route and
rights are source Of regret to many.
To them, the statement that thereby a,
great public work was assured to the
profit Of our people is not sufficient
answer to the charge of violation of ma
tional good faith. They appreciate that
the principles and healthy convictions
which in their working out have made
us free and great, stand firmly against
the argument or suggestion that we
shall be blind to the nature of the
means employed to promote 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
upbuilding, and that we should ever re-
member that the idea of doing wrong
to smaller, weaker nation than we, or
even all mankind, may have a resultant
good Is repugnant to the principles
upon which our government was found
ed.
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.
American shipping.
Our commerce in American bottoms
amounts to but eight per cent of our
total exports and imports. For forty
years prior to 1861, when the republican
party came into power, our merchant
marine carried an average of seventy
five per cent. Of our foreign commerce.
By 1877 it had dwindled to twenty seven
per cent. Now we carry but con-
temptibly small fraction Of our exports
and imports.
American shipping in the foreign
trade was greater by almost 100000
tons in 1810--nearly a hundred
years ago-than it was last year. In
the face of the continuous decline in the
record Of American shipping during the
last forty three years, the promise Of
the republican party to restore 1t is
without encourage The record of
the democratic party gives assurance
that the task can be more wisely en-
trusted to it.
1t is an arduous task to undo the eff
feet of forty years Of decadence, and re-
quires the study and investigation of
those best fitted by experience to find
the remedy, which surely does not lie
in the granting Of subsidies, wrung
from the pockets of all the taxpayers.
Investigation of Government Depart
ments.
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 majority
refused the demand The people can
determine by their vote in November
whether they wish an honest and thor
ough investigation. A democratic en-
gress and executive will assure it.
Army and Navy.
We are justly proud Of the officers
and men Of our army and navy. Both,
however, have suffered from the persis-
tent injection Of personal and political
influence. Promotions and appoint
ments have been frequently based on
favoritism instead Of merit. Trials and
court -martials have been set aside UNI
der circumstances indicating political
interference. These and other abuses
should be corrected.
Pensions for Our Soldiers and Sailors
The national democracy favors liberal
pensions to the surviving soldiers and
sailors and their dependents, on the
ground that they deserve liberal treat