Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-09-30

torieS, HleHtlOHeu III tHe law, Is ulrect-
ly affected by the national statute-the
outcome of intelligent and persistent
efforts Of leading citizens, providing
for the reclamation Of the arid lands
for the benefit of home seekers Dur
ing the years Of the development Of the
measure which finally received the vote
of every member of the upper house
of congress 1t encountered opposition,
based to Il large extent upon the view
that the aim of its promoters was to
secure the benefits of irrigation to
private owners ut government expense.
The aim OF the statute is however to
enable this vast territory to reclaim
Its arid lands without calling upon the
taxpayers Of the country ut large to
pay for It, Whether the purposes of
the bill will be fully accomplished must
depend in large measure upon the abil-
ity. sObriety of judgment, independ-
ence 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
lamatiOn Is but in its infancy. The to-
tai cost Of construction OF the neces-
sary head gates, dams, main canals,
bitches. reservoirs and pumping sta
tons was ut that time Il little over
$93,OOO.OO0. which of itself suggests
the hundreds of millions that may
eventually be invested in the territory
nv hn Of f,,tn
tude Of the conception and the enor-
nous expense its carrying out involves
make us realize the overwhelming I'M
pOrtnnce of n broad, capable 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 lia-
bility.
Panama Canal.
An isthmian canal has long been the
hope Of our statesmen and the avOw-
ell aim of the two great parties, as
their platforms IN the past show. The
Panama route having been selected,
the building of the canal should be
pressed to completion with all reason
able expedition.
The methods by which the executive
acquired the Panama canal route and
rights are II source of regret to many.
To them the statement that thereby
great public work was assured to the
profit of our people is not a sufficient
answer to the charge of violation of
national good faith. They appreciate
that the principles and healthy cOnvic-
tiOns 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 III, will have u more benef-
cent influence on our future destiny
than all our material upbuilding, and
that we should ever remember that
the idea of doing wrong to a small
or, weaker nation that we, or even all
mankind, may have resultant good
Is repugant to the principles upon
which our government was founded.
Under the laws Of the United States
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 8 per cent of our total
exports and imports. For seventy
years prior to 1860, when the Repub-
lican party came into power. our mer-
chant marine carried an average OF
15 per cent Of our foreign commerce.
BY 1877 1t had dwindled to - per cent.
Now we carry but contemptibly
small fraction Of our exports AMI i'm
ports.
American shipping in the foreign
trade was greater by over 100000 tons
| In 1910, nearly 100 years ago, than 1t
was last year. In the face Of the con-
tinuous decline In the record of Amer
lean shipping during the last forty
three years the promise OF the Repub-
lican party to restore 1t IL without ell
cOuragement. The record Of the DEM
Ocratic party gives assurance that the
task can be more wisely intrusted to
| 1t.
1t Is an arduous task to undo the ef-
feet Of forty years Of decadence and
requires 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.
investis alton Of Government Depart
ments.
Recent disclosures. coupled with the
rapid augmentation of government ex-
| penditures, show n need Of an investi-
CATION Of every department of the gov
eminent. The Democrats In congress
demanded 1t. The Republican majori-
| ty refused the demand. The people
can determine by their vote In No
vember whether they wish an honest
and thorough investigation. A Demo-
cratic congress and executive will as
sure 1t.
Army and Navy.
We are Justly proud OF the officers
and men of our army and navy. Both,
however, have suffered from the per-
sistent injection of personal and pOlit-
ical influence Promotions and appoint
ments have been frequently based ON
favOritism instead Of merit. TrinlS
and court martials have been set aside
under circumstances indicating polit-
zeal interference. These and other
abuses should be corrected.
Pensions For Our Soldiers and Sailors.
The national Democracy favors lib
eral pensions to the surviving soldiers
and sailors and their dependents on
the ground that they deserve liberal
treatment 1t pledges by its platform
adequate legislation to that end. But
1t denies the right Of the executive to
usurp the power Of congress to legis-
late on that subject. Such usurpation
was attempted by pension order No.
7S, and effect has been given to 1t by
congress that dared not resent the