The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-06-19
SENATOR BORAH'S THREAT
TO HOLD UP CIVIL BILL

quire a vast amount of time; and per-
haps, in view of other matters which
are pending and which are deemed to
be more important-though l do not
think so-we can not expect that leg
islation be had upon those subjects.
For instance, we might concede that,
so ia. as legislation dealing with the
grazing lands in the west is concern
ed that it could hardly De framed,
put into shape, and passed at this
session. We might concede that, so
far as the power question is con-
cerned, it would require more time
than we could possibly give to it at
this session; but do want so say,
Mr.. President, that there is no sub
ject before congress Of more con-
Germ and consequence, not only to the
people of the west but to the entire
country, than the question of the
proper solution of the power prob
lem.
There is now in process of organ
izatiou and creation in rn1s country
the most gigantic combination de-
signed to control the power possibili-
ties of this country that we have had
any knowledge of in the entire his
tory of combinations. Men represent
ing $500, 100000 are behind the
movement to take control; and the
attitude which. the government has
assumed for the last few years en-
ables them to do so with greater
prospect of success. / would not say
that law dealing with That question
could be passed at this session, re-
quiring the consideration and study
that it will, but do say that we
could we'll afford to spend time upon
the subject and in my judgment,
some other matters which will be
death with in a superficial way could
be put aside for the purpose of deal
ing with this matter in a substantial
way.
Urgers Two Appropriations
81 do not, however, rise to urge those
two particular proportions. There are
some measures here which we can
enact after a few hours considera-
ton. They are measures which have
been discussed. They have been ham
mered into shape, committees from
the house of representatives and from
the senate, in connection with the sec
rotary of the interior, have gone over
them and worked them out. Some Of
them have passed this body, and it
would only require few hours to
make them statutes; and the result
would be of incalcuable benefit to
the people of the west who are trying
to settle up the arid lands and make
homes there. These people have dis
closed great courage, a great love for
homes, in taking hold of these desert
lands, and we owe duty to them and
that is to act promptly and to act eff
ficiently."
Senator Borah pointed out that two
of the bills which he is supporting,
the 20 year bill, and the bill amend
ing the homestead law, have already
passed the senate, and with proper
management could pass the house in
a few hours. AS soon as the house
gets rid of the sundry civil bill it will
have little to occupy its time for the
remainder of the session, other than
consideration of senate amendments
10 the appropriations bill, and rather
than meet and adjourn twice week,
as it did when the senate was con-
sidering the tariff and the currency
bills, Senator Borah argued that the
house might-give few hours, or a
few days, if necessary, to the consid-
Grafton of legislation so vital to the
entire west Continuing, Senator
Borah said:
Pleads for Settlers
81 say 10 the congress of the United
States now, and l weigh my words,
that II this session ends without the
passing of that bill it will be a most
wrongful and unjust thing to thou
sands of settlers who have been in
vited by the government to go upon
those lands. 1t will work an irrepar-
able injury to them. They never can
be compensated. They will have CIV
en- up all they have, and their sacri-
fees upon those desert places, will
have been made in vain.
81 appeal to the congress and to
The administration in power to con-
slider the welfare of these people,
though they be but few as compared
with the 90,000,000 people of the
United States, and to pass this meas
lre before this session ends. 1t will
be not only an act of justice, but an
lct of humanity, and it will be an act
If injustice and inhumanity If we fail
70 do 1t.
II do not know whether we shall