Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-09-22
SPEECH AT MORRILL,
Irrigation and Kindred Topics Are
snhiect of Addreaa.

Irrigation and Kindred Topics Are
Subject of Address.
MORRILL,, Neb., Sept n.-CSpecial.)-
Senator Burkett, Congressman Kinkaid, II.
T. Dobbins, editor Of the Lincoln News, and
other republican candidates arrived here to-
day and the senator delivered the first Of
his campaign speeches in the irrigation sec
ton Of the Platte valley. A conference OF
settlers had been called at which irrigation
and kindred topics we're the chief subjects
discussed. The crowd was large and en-
thusastic.
Senator Burkett was a pioneer In irriga-
ton and has always responded generously
to every call OF the settlers for the develop
ment Of this valley. and he was given a
rousing reception here as an indication OF
the friendllness towards him OF the people
of this vicinity. People came for many
miles around TO - and hear the man, who,
as their represeN alive, had led the fight
against the conservative east ten years ago
when the irrigation problem was in its in
fancy, and who, from that time to this,
has been with them in every emergency.
In his speech today he took occasion to
thank the people for their kind reception
to him and for their generous treatment at
the primaries, and to congratulate the state
upon the pushing. enterprising bunch OF
men there were up here opening up the
valley and turning a desert into a great
garden. He spoke highly Of President Taft
in his perseverance through criticism and
his success over much Of opposition in &C
complishng the splendid legislation of the
last session, and thus sustaining and enact
ing into laws the policies of his great prede-
cessor. Theodore Roosevelt.
Il am proud of all Nebraska" said the
senator in speaking Of the part that he had
taken in behalf or irrigation, but 1 take a
little special and personal pride in this
particular part of the state, for 1 feel that
had something to do with making 1t what
1t is for l was one of the original fighters
for irrigation. 1t does my heart good to
look over this beautiful valley with its
towns. and think that 1t was brought about
by the little assistance that the gov
eminent gave to the people through the
irrigation law. 1t is a real live testimonial
to the beneficence of progressive ideals in
governmental functions. Government aid
to irrigation is an established fact today
and no man is found to criticise it, but a
dozen years ago we western congressman
had the struggle of our lives to get II
started against the opposition OF our older
and, perhaps, more conservative colleagues
Of the east"
The senator reviewed rapidly the embar-
easements that had come to the settlers
and to the work Of irrigation during these
ten years, and said that the track of the
enemy of such legislation could be found
all along the way. First, there were those
who wanted to load it up with such ex-
pensive projects as to make 1t disastrous.
Then there had come the difficulty of the
settlers in making their first payment OF
assessments. Later on the suspension of
work by reason of lack of money in the
irrigation fund, and last, and perhaps most
disastrous, the holding of settlers on their
land for a period longer than was required
ing title to 1t, when the government itself
was to blame for not having furnished the
water
The senator paid a high tribute TO Con-
gresham Kinkaid for his. devotion to the
peoples welfare. and his energy in cor
recting some of these evils. Together we
bombarded the department" said the sena-
tor, until the time of payment was ex-
tended from December to March, and ]
had the honor of introducing the bill, which
although as passed was not as good as
introduced it, but which, as it finally be
came a law, authorized you to transfer
your title and thus to leave your home
stead after you had fulfilled the obligations
Of the hOmesteader, even though the gov
eminent was not able to close your contrac
by reason IL its inability to supply you witt
water"