Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1908-10-08

COuUcu0dUAOu W Olc1AS duU CdII1CIS.
When he was elected to congress,
there were only nine rural routes
in the district: now
there are more than $50 with COM
plete county service in Otter Tail
and Clay and part of Becker County.
bringing the daily mail to everv
farmers home. thereby increasing
the attractiveness and convenience
of home life upon the farm.
The work of extending the rural
delivery system is still going on and
Mr.. Steenerson as a member of the
posU Office committee is in position
TO see that the interests Of the ninth
congressional district is well taken
care of. Suppose the district should
elect new congressman. is there
any assurance that he will be given
a place on this com mittee? This
consideration alone is strong argu-
ment in favor of retaining Mr..
Steenerson in cOngress.
In order to carry out the recon-
mendations Of President Roosevelt
and Secretary of War Taft for the
strengthening of our national de-
lenses. MI. Steenerson. as chairman
of the committee on The Militia. in
troduced In the last session of con-
gress the bill to promote the
efficiency Of the militia and forced it
through the house against the op-
positiofs 81 toti, republican and de-.
mocratic floor leaders. The passage
of this bill against such opposition
fixed Mr.. Steenerson's position In
the house as one of the strong men
of that body. whose influence will
count for a great deal In the future.
This Is one of the laws the passage
of which is especially commended in
the republican national platform and
by the president.
Mr.. Steenerson took strong stand
both in the 59th congress and in the
last session for tariff revision. He
introduced two bills providing for a
tariff commission. and urged their
consideration uoon the Committee
on Ways and Means. 1t was largely
through his efforts that a resolution
was tinallv agreed upon in the last
session OF congress under which all
questions relating to the subject
of tariff revision and REIMBURSEMENT
are now being investigated by the
committee so the Senate and House
preparatory to revision early next
year.
Drainage is a matter that has al
ways been close to Mr.. Steenerson's
heart. and earlv in his congressional
career he introduced national
drainage bill. which. although not
yet passed. brought to the attention
of congress and the country the fact
that the reclamation of wet lands
by drainage is fully as Important as
the reclamation of desert land by
irrigation. He has also given his at
tention to the drainage Of govern
ment lands in this state. and has Sc
cured appropriations for preliminary
surveys with that end in view. 1t is
Mr.. Steenerson's intention to press
his national drainage bill. and with
the gain made in favor of the meas
ure in the last congress, he. has higf
hopes of ultimately securing IT.
passage. This bill brought Mr.
Steenerson's broad statesmanshil
prominently before the country ant
some of the leading journals alluded
to him as "a benefactor of his race. ;
In all legislation for the regulation
of railroads, concerning public lands
Indians and for the conservation o
our natural resources, he has takel
an active part.
I In addition to these matters o
general concern. Mr.. Steenerson ha'
also secured the passage Of q larg
I number of private bills. such as pri
vate pension bills. public buiidinI
bills. relief of soldiers. granting per
!nission to build bridges and dam
over navigable streams; and for tn
relief Of settlers on the publi
\ domain. 1t may be interesting t
4 learn that Mr.. Steenerson secure
the enactment at the last session 9
congress Of no less than tWenty-fou
bills Of special nature, as follows
II pension bills. drainage bills.
Continued on page 8.