The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1913-08-01


bond purchaser as has been represent
ed in certain parts of the state. II
you will think about this calmly, you
will come to the conclusion have
reached that the interest of the set
tier and the bond purchaser are iden-
teal. The man who invests his money
in irrigation enterprises is anxious
only that his capital and interest shall
be assured and that he runs no great
: risk of loss of either. The settler
upon our irrigation tracts is interest
ed in making his purchase under con-
ditions which he will be able to meet.
Naturally he desires the terms of his
! contract to be such that there will be
no danger Or default on his part. He
desires the rate of interest which he
is compelled to pay be as low as rea-
sonably can be expected and does not
want his payments to fall due at a
time when it is not just to expect him
to be able to make them Whatever,
therefore, makes for the good of the
settler, and which assures his ability
to pay at the time indicated in his
contract, makes also for the good of
the investor because it assures him,
that while his money must be invest
ed for long period, the ultimate re-
turn thereon is perfectly SAT e. You
will see, therefore, that this move
ment on the part of the state govern
ment to find solution Of this great
problem, is one that is primarily in
the interest of our settlers and you
will agree with me in saying, that if
the proper. solution can be found, it
will 60 further to make for the per-
manent prosperity of the state than
any other matter which is before the
people for consideration at the pres
ent time.
Another matter of Importance to
which | desire to call your attention
is that of the more rapid sale of our
state lands. Certain limitations up
on the sale of these lands are placed
in the constitution of this state, the
idea being to check the sale of such
lands in order that the same may be
held in reserve, either for an adj
vance in price or for the benefit of
coming generations. Under the lin
itations imposed by the constitution,
it will require something like one
hundred eighty-five years for us to
dispose of our holdings. Under the
present plan, the principal secured
from the sale of these holdings, is
kept intact, but the interest thereon
is added yearly to the proper fund
and becomes available for current
use.
1t is now proposed to amend the
constitution of the state in such a
manner as to permit of more rapid
sale of our state holdings, provided,
of course, that none of them shall be
sold at less than the minimum price
per acre fixed by the constitution.
This plan was first advanced and for
some time has been advocated by our
state land commissioner, Mr.. Geo. A.
Day, and a plank was last year incor
porated in the Republican state plat
form, as a result of earnest advocacy
by Mr.. T. E. Picotte, editor of he
Wood River Times, who WIS dele
gate from Blaine county, favoring the
submission of such proposed amend
ment to the people of this state for
their consideration. I supported this
plank in the campaign and strongly
recommended favorable considera-
ton in my first message to the legis-
lature. also urged the approval
of such an amendment in an article
which l prepared for the Meadows
Eagle and which appeared in its is
sue of January 18th, 1918. The leg
islature failed to submit for your con-
sideration the proposed amendment
although it was prepared and intro
duced by Senator Davis of Power
county. This amendment passed the
senate but was lost in the house,
largely, think, through failure on
the part of it's members t. lderstand
the results that would fC!!1w its adot-
ten. This is, of course a moment
Gus question and one t'at requires
careful study and uiaticn in Or
der to be- fully understood. At first
consideration it seems a radical de-
parture from ideas heretofore accept /
ed as correct and the subject must be
discussed in order that it may be
understood. am confident that II
the people come to understand this
matter fully they will adopt the nee
essarry constitutional amendment at
~.