Dresden enterprise and Sharon tribune. (Dresden, Tenn.) 1907-1997, 1916-07-07

ing accurate Typographical surveys
made of the water shed drainage area
of valleys, by assigning government
engineers to the work, at no addition
al cost to the government or the peo-
pie. Every graduate from the Ma
tional Military School at West Point
+ is a graduated Civil Engineer, from
the greatest school of engineering in
the country, and in times of peace,
some of these United States army Of
ficers, when not otherwise employed,
could be assigned to the engineering
work of the Typographical surveys.
This would entail no additional ex-
pense to the Federal Government, as
these army officers are already on the
pay roll, and we know are assigned to
the various schools throughout the
country to give instruction in military
tactics. This does not mean that the
Federal Government will drain the
swamp lands at it's expense, but topo-
graphical surveys would show whether
or not given drainage project is
feasible, and would operate as an aid
to our drainage projects. But | do
not wish to be misunderstood as ia
vOring the proposition that the Fed
eral Government sustain any part of
the expense of purely private enter
prise. | make this statement in view
of the rumor or report that l would
favor the expenditure of Federal
funds expended in aid of private in
terest, and in denial of that report.
1t is the duty of the Federal Gov
eminent to lend it's aid to public en-
terprises, such as Rural Education,
Agriculture, and Good Roads, and
keeping our navigable streams open
to navigation. This is not expanding
public funds in aid of private enter
prise, but is Federal Aid to those
things, from which the whole public
derives a benefit.
In recent years the Southern States,
and other agricultural sections, have
demanded of their representatives
in the Congress that this unjust and
unwarranted discrimination cease, and
that fair percentage of Federal
funds derived from the indirect tax
paid by agricultural districts be APP
propriated back in aid of the higher
development of this great national re-
source, agriculture. And it is crafty
ing to know, that in these recent years
members of the Congress, represent
ing Southern States, are favoring
Federal Aid to Rural Education, Ag-
riculture and Good Roads. The men,
Der of the Congress representing this
Congressional District has not favored
this legislation, but has PERSIST
EMILY OPPOSED 1T. And he en-
joys the distinction of being practical
ly the only member of the Congress
a Southern State, or an
agricultural district, who is opposed
to this character of legislation.
On January 25th of this year, the
Shackelford Bill was before the Con-
gress, and passed the Lower House. of
the Congress by vote of 282 for the
bill, and 81 against it. This bill re-
Ceived the support of every member
of the Congress from Tennessee ex-
cept Mr.. Garrett. 1t received the sup
port of practically every member of
the Congress representing a Southern
State, or an agricultural district, and
that the Democratic
party at it's National Convention had
specifically committed the Democratic
representation in the Congress to this
bill by specific declaration, favoring
! ederal Aid to postal roads, or roads
used in supplying the Rural Delivery
Mail Service, and Notwithstanding the
State Democratic platform of our own
state made specific declaration in sup
port Of that legislation, we find Mr..
Garrett still opposed to the legislation
and his vote so recorded against that
great bill that means so much to the
future prosperity of the South! That
bill was opposed almost entirely by
members Of the Congress represent
ing the wealthy manufacturing states
of the East, and the large cities, and
we can understand how the argument
against the bill made by Mr. Walsh
Of Massachusetts met with favor at
he hands of Congressman represent
ng the wealthy manufacturing states
If the East, and the centers of popu-
ation-the big cities-but we are INV
lble to understand how a member Of
he Congress representing district
where the sole industry is AGRICUL-
CURE, could oppose that measure.
s it conceivable that the Democratic
,arty, state and national, is wrong in
avOring that legislation; that every
'ther member of the Congress from
Tennessee is wrong; that all the intel
igent statesmen representing South
IN States in the Congress are wrong,
md Mr.. Garrett ALONE right? When