The Teton peak. [volume] (St. Anthony, Idaho) 1899-1904, 1904-10-06
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-Rooseveit's Per-
sonaI Triumph.
The Democratic party would have the

The Democratic party would have the
.,iritiated believe that it il; responsible
w. oil good things Where it could not
no successfully contradcted within "A
won time. it would not hesitate to
elaim the credit for the Decalogue, the
christian era, the discovery of America,
tho Declaration OF Independence. the ad-
ministrations of Washington aud Lin
coln the construction of the Panama
canal or. in fact. any old thing.
The Democratic press now has the
bsrdihood to openly assert that the party
If negation and calamity is responsible
far the National Irrigation Act In
tecning with the traditional revelations
Of its notorious "hindsight" it has dis
covered that this same National lrriga
non Act of President Roosevelt's is cal
cnlated to add new industrial empire
IN the United States. 1t would fain give
this the me too accent. but it is too
late. What are the recorded facts?
Let History Speak.
The first move on the part of the fed
.ral government to reclaim the arid West
BEGAN as far back as 1889. under Presi-
dent narrison's Republican administra-
ton, when bill was passed by Congress
authorizing an investigation of this sub
ject with view of ascertaining to what
extent the arid regions of the United
States can be benefited by irrigation.
This bin appropriated 100000 for topo
graphical surveys for the fiscal year end
ug June 80 1889 The money was to
be used under the direction of Major
powcll the then head of the geological
survey.
The work was placed under the super
Tsion OF The Secretary of the Interior
md Major Powell was directed to make
bis report as early as possible. Upon
bis report and the recommendations of
he Secretary Of the Interior, the $780,
lVO was supplemented by an additional
ppropratlon of $250,OOO by the passage
an act Tor the further investigation
the arid regions. A committee of
enators was appointed to visit the arid
fgons Of the different Western States
bid territories during the summer of
500 II completed its work OF invest-
ltion and made it's report after having
avele1 1900 miles and having been on
: lie road fifty days.
Republican, Lead the Way.
The Republican national convention
lie fh in Philadelphia in June, 1900. re-
4, FRED ~ irrigation i'll the national plat
I'm as follows: In further pursuance
an the constant policy OF the Republican
III pity to provide free homes on the pub
domain we recommend adequate Ma
Enal legislation to reclaim the arid
,aJ ls Of the United States. preserving
control Of the distribution OF water
IA ln Stata
tha territories The Democrats. of
lrse. initiating and following the lead
mar the Republican party in all matters
% progress, adopted the following plank
their platform at Kansas City in July.
W; I'VE favor an intelligent system
vim improving the arid land of the West
,.o rlhg the waters for the purpose of
hO' CATION and the holding of such lands
6t actual settlers"
co; Roosevelt Prime Mover.
-. his message to the Fifty-seventh
tell lgress President Roosevelt clearly and
c M Oronsly urged the enactment of legis-
=. On III aid Of development by irrigation
Gu the great arid portions OF our coun.
Encouraged by the President S
lest and vigorous recommendation
)ine members of both branches of Con-
man from the arid and semi-arid States
III the early days OF the session, ap-
liu'' 'ea committee of one from each OF
N, Saiu States and territories. with Sen
I'm, warren of Wyoming. Republican
''' naifman, for the purpose of drafting
f maj rrigaion measure.
ods us committee labored earnestly and
'iuil!, and hnally presented to the
a CHI presentation from the West bill
ohe was accepted by them, introduced
senate by Senator Hansbrough
nlpau puoAcan. and in the House by Rep
'a'iVe Newlands, which bill. with
'queht amendments. was the founda
acentl 'of The present national irrigation
Nv May "A, 1902, in presenting the bill
i opd mouse Congressman Newlands re
,hrn 10 PRESIDENT Roosevelt's message
aO'' lsstion and quoted the same in it.
le va H' mus admitting that the Presi
nanIu ahhuence for the measure was the
: Sest at that time
=. fresidsnt Alters Bill.
hS ~ MEASURE was known as the Hans
0 cent rNe"iands bill. and became thu
o.od lyon which the committee worl
P'' 'e, out as drafted it never became
e thru II was discussed by a self-con
.;o. 81 ~ committee of representative,
ei"'Y =, me states concerned, which me-
0 ever every day during December ant
40 Nd a 20 20 agreed upon the form of tn,
he' olil, which. after still further
MS WI ~ " the Senate committee. passed
.ho hat "'' Without revision on March 2
he ~ me form in which it was rec
;+ratiC ~" ny the general committee OF
'i'" W.T. Newlands was secretary, ant
~ Know ~ 1t passed the Senate, the bill
,e+ fot1 s,' to President Roosevelt
IA 'e spectators and large lant
Hela' opportunity to monopolize tn,
me act. Mr.. Roosevelt there
~ Tor Senator Hansbrough; ano
,ou yot a ,H ayes Metcalf, Moody ant
SCI M 80 -. Republicans. who would have
Va , lne pill in the House. and warn
eat, o'' u'@' unless changed in certain
should be compelled to veto
eSmates the Sharks
rschc changes that he REQUIRED
o. taat tho S.ora+srv 90 ~. II