The river press., 1904-10-26
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-RooseveIts Per-
sonaI Triumph.
The Democratic party would have the

The Democratic party would have the
uniEitiated believe that it is responsible
for all good things. Where it could not
be successfully contradicted within Il
given time, it would not hesitate to
claim the credit for the Decalogue, the
Christian era, the discovery Of America
the Declaration Of Independence. the. ad-
ministrations Of Washington and Lin
coln. the construction of the Panama
canal, or, in fact, any old thing.
The Democratic press now has the
hardihood to openly assert that the party
Of negation and calamity is responsible
for the National Irrigation Act. In
keeping with the traditional revelations
of it's notorious ''hindsight'' it has dis
covered that this same National lrriga
ton Act of President Roosevct's is cal
culated to add a new industrial empire
to the United States. 1t would fain give
this the ''me-too" accent. but it is too
late. What are the recorded facts?
Lot History Speak.
The first move on the part Of the fed
eral government to reclaim the arid West
began as far back as 1880, under Presi-
dent Harrison's Republican administra-
tion. 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 bill appropriated $1O0.OOO for topo-
graphical surveys for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1880 The money was to
he 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,
and Major Powell was directed to make
his report as early as possible. Upon
dis report and the recommendations Of
the Secretary OF the Interior, the $780,
OOO was supplemented by an additional
appropriation of $25OOOO by the passage
OF an act for the further investigation
Of the arid regions. A committee of
Senators was appointed to visit the arid
regions Of the different Western States
and territories, during the summer OF
1890. 1t completed it's work Of investi-
CATION and made it's report after having
Travelled $4,000 miles and having been on
the road fifty days.
Republicans Lead the Way.
The Republican national convention
held in Philadelphia in June. 1900, re-
ferred to irrigation in the national plat
form AS follows: 'ln further pursuance
OF the constant policy Of the Republican
party to provide free homes on the pub
he domain we recommend adequate Ma
tiCnal legislation to reclaim the arid
lands Of the United States, preserving
the control Of the distribution OF water
for irrigation to the respective States
and territores.' The Democrats, Of
course, initiating and following the lead
OF the Republican party in ali matters
Of progress, adopted the following plank
in their platform at Kansas City in July.
1900: "We favor an intelligent system
of improving the arid land Of the West,
storing the waters for the purpose OF
irrigation and the holding of such lands
for actual settlers"
Roosevelt Prime Mover.
In his message to the Fifty-sevcnth
Congress President Roosevelt clearly and
vigorously urged the enactment OF legis-
lation in aid Of development by irrigation
of the great arid portions OF our coull-
try. Encouraged by the Presidents
earnest and vigorous recommendation.
the members Of both branches of Con-
grcss from the arid aud Semi-arid States
met III the early days OF the session, ap
pointed a committee Of one from each Of
the said States and territories, with Sen
ator Warren of Wyoming, a Republican,
as chairman, for the purpose Of drafting
an irrigation measure.
This committee lahored earnestly and
faithfully, and finally presented to the
full representation from the West bill
which was accepted by them. introduced
in the Senate by Senator Hansbrough
a Republican. and in the House by Rep
resentative Newlands which bill. with
subsequent amendments. was the founda-
ton for the present national irrigation
act.
On May IA, 1902. in presenting the bill
to the House Congressman Newlands re-
fcrred to President Kooscvelt's MESA &c
on irrigation and quoted the same in it's
entirety. thus admitting that the Presi-
dents iAAnence for the measure was the
strongest at that time.
President Alters Bill.
This measure was known as the Hans
brougli- Newlands bill, and became the
basis upon which the committee work
was done but as drafted it never became
p law. It was discussed by a self-con-
stituted committee Of representatives
from all the States concerned, which met
nearly every day during December and
on Dec. Is agreed upon the form of the
revised bill, which. after still further
changes by the Senate committee. passed
the Senate without revision on March ,,
1902
But in the form in which it was rec
commended by the general committee OF
which Mr.. Newlands was secretary. and
in which it passed the Senate, the bill
was unacceptable to President Roosevelt,
As a6ording spectators and large lanG
owners opportunity to monopolize the
benefits of the act. Mr.. Roosevelt there
fore sent for Senator HAnsbrough: ant
Representatives Metcaf. Moody ant
Reeder. all Republicans. who would have
charge of the bill in the House. and warn
ed them that unless changed in certair
respects he should be compelled to veto
it.
Checkmates the Sharks.