Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-09-21
AS TO THE IRRIGATION LAW.

HAVING laid claim 10 nearly every
thing that has been accomplished for
the benefit of tn country in the past
forty years the Democratic party now
aims 10 make tn people believe that
il is entitled TO chief credit in secur,
Ing the passage of the national irri
cation law. Thr facts will not bear
out its contention by a long shot,
Secretary Shaw, iu his speech at Den
yer, Colorado, last week, admitted
That the entire delegation in congress
from arid states favored irrigation for
more than a decade and many bills
we're introduced looking 10 the recla
nation of arid lands. These men, he
said, would have been retired TO pri'
vate life had they not done their ut
most for irrigation.
1t was different with the represen,
tatives from humid states-none were
willing to risk their political fortune
by an aggressive espousal of irriga
ton. When President Roosevelt sub
mitted his message to congress in
December, 1901, conditions changed
THAT message gives Theodore
Roosevelt the distinction of being the
first to risk his own political fortune
by e~spousing the cause Of irrigation"
said Secretary Shaw. with absolute
justice to every man who has ever
lifted voice or pen in behalf Of ma
tional irrigation, history will credit
Theodore Roosevelt with what has
thus far been accomplished and it will
mention no other name as rival"
Is not the above a fair statement
Of the facts? Could any congressman
or senator from the arid states oppose
irrigation in defiance of the sentiment
of his constituents? Pleading for gov.
eminent aid in retaining the arid
lands of the west was a loyal and pa.
triotic duty and all are entitled TO the
credit due them. There is a DISPOSE.
ton 10 give Senator Newlands of Ne
vada the lions share of the glory in
securing the desired legislation. While
he laborcd earnestly and gave ma.
tcrial aid there others from the
arid region whose work was just as
effective if lot moro potential when
il came to securing the needed legis.
Iation. The bill which finally passed
IA the result OF a conference be-
tween senators and representatives
from western states, and TO Senator
Warren, of Wyoming, a Republican,
was given the task of securing a ia.
vorable sentiment in the upper house,
This he did and the bill passed that
body with little opposition. When the
bill reached the house it "a In
charge of Congressman Mondell, OF
| Wyoming, a Republican of energy and
influence, one in a position to get the
support of the members of the domi
nant party. To his exertions more
than to any other member of either
house is credit due 10. securing the
passage of the bill.
After giving all Of the western rep
resentatiyes credit for what they die
the fact still remains that the bill
would have failed of passage had moi
President Roosevelt exerted his greaI
influence in behalf of such legislation
Not only did he recommend il in his
message to congress but in confer
ences with members OF the house ant
senate. II is probable mis- insistencc
in this instance is where the opposl
ton find the ground for charging hin
with being stubborn" and inclined
TO interfere in matters of legislation