The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-12-06

In which IT drifted by. the statement
that the primary obligation rested
upon the government to inaugurate
movements for the reclamation OF
swamp lands and the proper care OF
the country's rivers To prevent OVER
flow. and such devastation as was
frequently caused In the Mississippi
valley. He charged that the govern
ment has seriously neglected Its duty,
though IL had adopted very nberal
policy In irrigating 100000 acres OF
arid lands of the West. The South
needs federal aid for reclaiming the
Mississippi valley. but the government
had made no move in that direction
This sally brought Governor Sha-
froth to his feet in defense of the
governments irrigation plans In the
West, informing Governor Hadley
that the federal money thus used
was loan and not a girr
Governor Hadley stated that he
owned some Western lands and knew
all about the plan. but stuck. MS
original position that the government
was neglecting its duty in the matter
OF Southern swamp lanis
Governor Donaghey declared he did.
said the government had guaranteed
interest on railroad lands and built
roads in the Philippine islands,
and left the people of the Mis-
stssippi valley to shift for themselves.
He made the statement that he had
seen hunters killing bears in swamp
/ lands Of the river that ought TO be
devoted to agriculture.
Conservation OF Bears.
Governor Gilchrist interrupted him
TO know If he didn't believe in the
conservation OF bears
Cover Donoghey declared he did,
but not at the sacrifice of agricul-
ture.
Governor Brown, OF Georgia, said
there were 2,700,0o acres Of swamp
land in Georgia, and he believed the
federal government should aid III re-
claiming them
Governor Hawley OF Idaho, de-
Tended the governments course in
the irrigation project, and believed
the States should band themselves for
the Accomplishment OF reclamation
plans.
Governor Eberhart, of Minnesota.
agreed with him. Minnesota, he said.
had reclaimed thousands of acres of
swamp land at slight cost and ITS
plan had been successful without aid
from the government.
The discussion got quite Interesting
at one point when three governors
were on their feet at once, debating
the question of irrigation and re-
| clamatIon, and Governor Dix re-
minded them they had drifted far
| away from the subject.
Governor Gilchrist told the COVER
! nors that the little State of Florida
had constructed 500 miles of inland
! waterways. and started in on the de-
! hated subject Of federal aid, when
! Governor Dix interrupted him with
| the statement that the income tax
matter was yet 10 he discussed.
"No Incomes to Tax"
! Governor Gilchrist made his point
/ however. before he sat down, with
! the remark that mot. many Of us
| have any incomes to tax"
And there was little interest in the
| income tax Only Governor Donaghey
| ventured any remarks on the sub
! iect, and he stated that his legisla-
| ture had passed the hill, but he had
vetoed It, He understood that the
| right Of the governor to veto the pas
sage Of a resolution amending the
federal constitution had been ques-
toned, but not yet settled.
| II was stated that only two States
| have passed 1t.
| After giving a ten minute hearing
| to Miss Kate Bernard, State commits
| sioner of charities OF oklahoma. who
made a plea for uniform laws on child
abor the governors took q recess fo'
| lunch,