236 



THE IKRIGATION AGE. 



strong that the defects in these acts will be reported 

 and a remedy found. 



We do not believe that the West is indebted to Mr. 

 Maxwell in any way. He has been well paid for his 

 time and he has abused the privileges of his position. 

 We regard the irrigation bill as a measure over which 

 one should not become insanely enthusiastic. It rep- 

 resents a departure in the policy of the Government. 

 It is the first measure which has extended aid in any 

 manner towards the construction of irrigation works, and 

 it marks the first time in the history of the country 

 that public works have been provided for by a loan 

 from the treasury. If the law is not carried out by 

 an independent and fearless administration but little 

 will be accomplished under its provisions. Funds must 

 be provided, and those in charge of the reclamation 

 service must be capable of carrying on the construction 

 of meritorious projects without regard to the theories 

 or advice of such men as the leader of the National 

 Irrigation Association. 



While we have admitted that the recent act of 

 Congress will bring about no revolution in the reclama- 

 tion of the arid region, yet we believe that, such as 

 it is, it merits the support of all who desire to see 

 the West ultimately become the great agricultural coun- 

 try that nature intended it should be. We stand for 

 the irrigator who has had the courage and stability 

 to bring about the existing extensive development. It 



gator" we will keep abreast of the movement to reclaim 

 the West and continue to champion that which aims 

 to better his condition and to condemn that which tends 

 to steal from him his independence. 



W. W. WOuLuRIDGE. 

 Industrial Agent Great Northern Ry , Hinsdale, Mont. 



seems to us that he is the man who should be first aided 

 through Government construction of irrigation works. 

 He has labored for years to receive some such recog- 

 nition and he can not permit the work to be conducted 

 indirectly by a man who has advocated great issues "as 

 a part of a general compromise measure" ; who has 

 created an association and secured members therefor 

 by deceitful tactics in order that his real purposes 

 might be hidden; who has changed the "objects" of 

 this association, regardless of his own convictions of 

 right, whenever the necessities of intrigue have de- 

 manded; who has sought the courts to repeal laws 

 whereby valid bonds might be repudiated : who, failing 

 in this, has promised his clients that the Government 

 would build their irrigation works providing certain 

 support was advanced. 



We simply ask. is Mr. Maxwell a safe man to be 

 intrusted with the responsibility he has sought and so 

 easily found? 



THE AGE believes that it has performed its duty; 

 that any publication which remains silent when an 

 honest, truthful and fair statement of fact may result 

 in reform does not deserve the support or patronage of 

 the people ; that with the support of the "actual irri- 



THE CRITICAL KANGAROO. 



Twas a growly, spotted Leopard, 



On the plains of Timbuctoo, 

 Who met one Sunday morning 



With a happy Kangaroo. 

 "Your suit is really startling," 



Said the latter, with a smile, 

 "For polka-dots no longer 



Are the proper style; 

 And though no criticism 



On your tailor I would cast, 

 I have a strong suspicion that 



The color isn't fast. 

 For ' But here an interruption 



Most sudden did occur, 

 Which filled the air around them 



With what resembled fur; 

 And the Leopard some time later, 



Much larger round the waist, 

 Mused long in pensive manner 



On that Kangaroo's "good taste." 



St. Nicholas. 



MAXWELL PUCE, PHCKN1X. ARIZ. 



OWED TO MAXWELL. 



A pin feather poet begged us to accept some of 

 his brain work, and as he needed the money, we paid 

 him in advance, expecting him to furnish something 

 worth while Instead, he handed in the following ode, 

 or "owed" as he had it, and, however, diffident we felt 

 about printing it, since we had paid for it we were 

 obliged to use it. Everybody who has bought a pig 

 in a poke will understand that it would have been 

 criminal waste to throw it away. ED. 



Oh, Maxwell, Maxwell, Well ! Well ! Well ! 

 Salt Kiver Valley says you're swell, 

 While others say you're a d d sell ; 

 That's how they put it, what they tell. 

 'Tis whispered in the shady dell, 

 Brought to our ears by "passing bell ;" 

 The waters rushing down pell mell, 

 Through ditches, streams, beneath your spell, 

 Strange stories gurgle, some so fell 

 That those who hear them give a yell, 

 And shout out, "Maxwell, you'll catch h 1." 



(Orchestra crash to cover confusion.) 

 Oh, Maxwell, Maxwell, Well ! Well ! Well ! 



