The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1904-10-05
Dreamed They Fathered National Irrigation but
Facts Show 1t Was Only Dream.
true HISTORY OF REPUBLICAN MEASURE
Federal Aid to irrigation Originated with a
Republican Administration Fifteen
Years Ago-Roosevelts Per-
sonal Triumph.

The Democratic party would have thu
uniritiated believe that 1t 10 responsible
Cor all good things. Where it could moi
Re successfully contradcted within q
given time, II would not hesitate &c
claim the credit for the Decalogue, the
Christian era, the discovery Of America
che Declaration OF Independence, the ad
pnlnistrations OF Washington and Lin
coin, the construction OF the Panama
canal, or. In fact. any old thing.
The Democratic press now has the
hardihood to openly assert that the parts
OF negation and calamity Is responsible
Cor the National Irrigation Act. IL
keeping with the traditional revelations
Of its notorious "hindsight" 1t has dis
covered that this same National lrriga
Zion Act OF President Roosevet's Is cal
eulsted 20 add new industrial empire
20 che United States. II would fain give
this the "me-too" accent, but 1t Is to-
tste. What are the recorded facts2
Let History Speak.
The first move on the part Of the fed
erai government to reclaim the arid West
began as far back as 1889, under Presi'
dent Harrison's Republican administers
ton. when a bill was passed by Congress
authorizing an investigation OF this sub
sect with q view OF ascertaining TO what
extent the arid regions Of the United
States can be benefited by irrigation
9his bill Appropriated 100000 for topo
graphical surveys for the fiscal year end
tng June 80. 1889. The money was Il
be used under the direction OF Major
Powell. the then head OF the geological
survey.
The work was placed under the super
vision OF the Secretary OF the Interior
aud Major Powell was directed to make
bis report as early as possible. Upor
his report and the recommendations oil
the Secretary OF the Interior. the 500.
900 was supplemented by an additiona
appropriation OF $200,000 by the passng'
OF an act for the further investigation
OF the arid regions. A committee o.
Senators was appointed to visit the nri'
eexons Oh the diuereht western states
s sn 'e,t'torieS' during tue summer o
1851 ~ e"mpieteu itS WORK OF investi
sauon ana maue US report atter haV'hl
sSe'en iS,Wo miles ana having oeen oi
s"o 'o"u my uays'
Republicans Lead the way.
The Republican national convention
held In Philadelphia In June, 1900. re
tcrncd to irrigation in the national plat
form as follows; "ln further pursuance
or the constant policy OF the Republican
party TO provide free homes on the pub
PC domain we recommend adequate Ma
uonAl legislation TO reclaim the aric
lands Of the United States, preserving
Che control OF the distribution OF watei
for Irrigation to the respective State
and territories" The Democrats. OF
course, initiating and following the leaC
OF the Republican party in all matters
OF progress. adopted the following planl
hn their platform at Kansas City In July
1000: 1--WE favor an Intelligent system
OF improving the arid land OF the West
storing the waters for the purpose o.
irrigation and the holding of such land
for actual settlers"
Roosevelt Prime Mover.
In his message 90 the Fifty-seventi
Congress President Roosevelt clearly ant
vigorously urged the enactment OF lcgis
tauon 'n ala OF dcVe'opineht ny irrigation
OF the great ariu p"ruons OF our eous
Try Ehsouraseo oS .ne lFesileN
earnest ahu vigorous recomhehuat,on
the memoers Oh o"'u oruncnes OF ool'
gress from tue ariu uhu srm''arlu St"te
met III tue carry uaSs OF Tue sesNou' ny
pointed epmmlttee OF one from eaon .
the SAN states anu terntorles, win sen
etor warren OF NEom'hs' u ispupn ,ssli
as euairheh' Tor uno purpose Vi ui"i'in
an irrigation measure
LUIS committee nporeu ehrnes'iy IN
faithfully ana hnally presented 10 IN
sui, representation ,'pm the West VI
ehlsn VAS necelNeu Wy tueu1, 'n.,ouuev
'h .he senate py Don'eot iiahso' us us
hepuuAean, enu ~ 'ne rouse w wv
tesen.atlNe NeNlanuN, Nnleu p',' WI
suoseluen, ""ieipl.no"u', "as ,"S ,ouaI,
uo" 'or tue preSeu' nu''o"a' iF''h""O
act; 1000 =,
oh May ~ ipU-' III presenting tSe ID
90 .ns iouse GInsreS S'.. S ,,, :,
terIed 70 IreSlueht l.o'Se,e'. > mes"
on nr's"''on ana Iu ',, tne Sa .h M ~ J
snure'y, vnus a"ln,uns 'nu. ."e W ~
oen. 'l,"usnIe ,uI tne measure va" "
strongest az 'hal uhle'
President Alters Hiil.