Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-12-14
AGRICrLTIG RI.

The report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture gives a very full and inter-
csting account of the several divisions
OF that Observation-Disclosures az
ricultural, statistical, chronological! and
chemical--and the benefits conferred
by each on the agricultural interests of
the country. The whole report il a
complete history of the workings of that
Department i'll all its branches, showing
the manner III which the farmer, mer-
chant and miner is farmer, and the
extent to which he is aided in his pur-
suits. The Commissioner makes a re-
commentator that measures be taken
by Congress to protect and induce the
planting of forests, and suggests that
no part Of the public lands should be
disposed of without the condition that
one-tenth of it be reserved in timber
where it exists, and where it does not,
IN inducement should be offered for
the planting of it.
THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY.
In accordance with the terms of tho
act OF Congress, approved March 3,
1871, providing for the celebration of
the one hundredth anniversary of Amer
lean Independence, a Commission has
been organized consisting of two menu
bers from each of the States and Terri.
tories. The Commission has held two
sessions, and has made satisfactory pro-
gress in the organization and in tho
initiatory steps necessary for CARRYING
out the propositions of the act, and for
executing the provisions also of the act
of June first, 1871, creating Cen
trail Board of Finance. A preliminary
report of progress has been received
from the President of the Commission,
and is herewith transmitted. It will be
the duty of the Commission Mt your
coming session to transmit the report
of the progress made and to lay before
you the details relating to the exhibi-
ton of American and foreign arts,
products and manufactures. which, by
the terms of the act, is to be held un-
der the auspices of the Government of
the United States, in Philadelphia, in
the year 1876. This celebration will be
looked forward to by American citizens
with great interest as making century
of greater progress and prosperity than
is recorded in the history of any other
nation, and providing it's further good
purpose in bringing together on our
soil the people of all commercial ma
tons OF the earth, as a measure calcu-
lated to secure international good feel
ing.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The desire has been felt to correct
the abuses which have grown upon tho
Civil Service of the country, through
the defective method of making ap-
pointment to offices which have been
regarded too much rs tho reward of po-
litical services. Under the authority of
Congress, rules have been established
to regulate the terms of Office and mode
of appointments. 1t cannot be cX-
pected that any system of rule can be
entirely effective and prove perfect
remedy for existing evils till they have
been thoroughly tested by actual prnc-
tice and amended according to the re-
quircments of the service. During my
term of office it shall he my best en-
deavor to apply the rules as to secure
the greatest possible reform in the Civil
Service of the Government; but it will
require the direct action of Congress to
render the enforcement of the system
binding upon my successor, and hope
that the experience of the past year to-
gether with appropriate legislation by
Congress, may reach satisfactory So
luton of this question and secure to
the public service, for all time, prac-
teal method of obtaining faithful and
efficient officers and employees.
(Signed U. s. GRANT.
Executive MANSION, Dec. 2, 1872.