Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1904-10-21
RECLAMATION OF ARID LANDS.

RECLAMATION OF ARID LANDS.
A vast expense OF country in tho
West, portions Of which are 10 be
found In each of the sixteen States
and Territories. mentioned In the law,
is directly affected 10y the National
Statutc-thc outcome OF Intelligent aud
persistent efforts OF ,radinS citizens.
providing for the reclamation OF the
arid lands for the benefit of homrsprk-
crs. During the years OF trf develop
mcnt OF the measure which finally re-
ceivcd the vote OF every mpmhe of
the upper house of Congress-, IL eu-
countcrcd opposition. based to Il large
extent upon the view that the aim OF
its FRONTIERS was To secure tile benefits
OF irrigation to private owners ut Gov
crEnnent expense. Tile aim of the stat
ute IL, however. 10 enable this vast ter
ritory 10 reclaim It's arid lands without
calling upon the taxpayers OF the conn
try 1T larg" Ia pay Tor IT,. Whether the
purposes of the bill will he fully nc
compliSlIcd must depend in 'Ircc meas
IRE upon he ability. Sohrjcty OF julg-
nncnt, independence and honesty OF the
officers Of the Interior DEPARTMENT
having this great work al charge.
In l!O2 tile main canal; and ,litChes
In the region affected aggregated more
than $1,000 miles and the work OF re-
clhmation i but in is infancy. The
total cost Of construction al the nrccs-
Snry hpad-gltcS, dams. main canals,
bitches, reservoirs and pun; ping sta
tons mt that time wa n little over
$9:i, 1000, which Of itself suggests
the hundreds Ct millions that may
eventually Ice Invested III the territory
covered 10y th" : atuic. I'll" magnitude
of tn" conception. IiIL the enormous px-
rcnSc It's carrying u InToivcS, make
us r"aliZ" the overwhelming impor-
lance of II broad. capable and honest
administration Of the work .'uthuriZt ID
by the statute. ia effect Is to he given
II that part Of the plan that relieves
the country at Urge frot. ultimate iin-
biliiy.
NATIONAL FAITH BROKEN.
An lSihmian canal has ling been the
hope of u Siat"Sirrm. ami II q ayowpd
ann OF III" two -"rat parties, MS their
Platforms in the past ShGw. Inc Pam
anna route having been selected, The
binding OF the canal should br pressed
To completion with nj. reasonable eX-
ppdiiiOn.
The methods by which the Exccu-
tive acquired the Panama Canal route
ana rights are Il source OF regret to
'Ah'lH. ~ Ail'lH lilt SllltlllplI thai
thereby II great public work WAS as
Succd to the profit Of our people Is not
II sufficient answer to the charge OF
violation of National good faith. They
apprcrilt" that the principles and
healthy convictions which In their
working out have made us free and
great. stand firmly against the aryu-
m"nt or suggestion that we shall bc
blind IN the nature of the means en-
p!oycd TO promote our welfare. They
hold that adherence to principle.
whether ii works for our good or III.
Will have Il more hrnciiCcnt influence
on our future destiny than all our ma.
t"rial uphuildiug. and that we should
ever remember that the idpa of doing
a wrong TO Il smaller. weaker nation
we, or even all mankind. may
have n resultant good is rcpugnnut to
the principles upon which our govern
mcnt vas 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 he promptly performed.
AMERICAN SHIPPING.
Our m in American bottoms
amounts To but nine per cent. of our
total exports and Imports. For forty
Years prior to 1851, when the ltppubli-
can party came into power. our mcT-
chant marine carried an average Of
per cent. of our foreign COM
m"rcc. by 1877 il had dwind!ed to
twcnty-Scvcn per cent. Now we carry
but It COntcmptihly small fraction OF
our exports and imports.
American shipping in the foreign trade
was greater by almost one hundred
l., ..I Goo T.. ia ---.I. ~
years agO-than it was last year. In
the face Of the continuous decline in
the record of American shipping dur.
Ing The last forty-thrcc years. the
promise Of the Republican party TO re.
IL is without encouragement.
The record of the Democratic party
assurance that the task ran be
more wisely entrusted to il.
II Is an nrduOuS task to undo the ef.
feet Of forty years of dpCadcncp. md
requires the study ana investigation
Of those best fitted by experience TO
find the rcmcdy-whiCh surely does not
lie in the granting of subsidies, WIRING
from the pockets OF all the taxpayers.
Recent disclosures. Coul lied with the
augmentation nf government eX-
pcnditurcS. Shnw II need of an invpsti-
Of every department of the
-'N'a Nv Nv 7 w
rrcss demanded IL. The Republican
majority refused the demand. The
people can determine hy their vote In
whether they wish mn hon.
rSt and thorough investigation. A
Democratic Congress aud Executive
49,. assure II.
Army AND NAVY.
We are Justly proud Of the officers
mon pf pur Army and Navy Roth
however. have suffered from the per
injection OF personal aud politi-
'Hl influence. Promotions and appoint
mcuts have been frequently based on
IN voritiSm instead of merit. Trials
md Court.martialS have been set
lsldc under circumstances indicating
political Interference. These and other
should he corrected.
fSrRpATION Is PENSION ORDER.
The National Democracy favors lib
,rni npugInpS tp tlp surviving soldiers