Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-12-11

-ut SCrNNHt w Ifut d'Ftof a'ttN' 49, -
lection OF law. it, people have repealed
v demonstrated against our neglect 10 al
lord them the maintenance and protection
guaranteed by the terms OF the
treaty whereby the Territory was ceded 10
The United States. For more than SIX
ieen years they have pleaded 10 vain TOT
hat which they should have received
without the asking. They have no law
FOR the collection OF debts, the support Oh
the conveyance OF property the
of estates, or the enforce
ment OF contracts; none, indeed, Tor the
punishment OF criminals, except sucn Is
are offered against certain customs, coih
merce and navigation acts.
The resources OF Alaska, especially In
fur, miues, aud lumber, are considerable
In extent and capable OF large development
while in its geographical situation IL Is one
Of political aud commercial Importance
The promptings OF interest, therefore, ~
well IS considerations OF honor and good
faith demand the immediate establishment
Of civil government in that Territory.
GOING FOR THE RAILROADS.
Complaints have been numerous and ur-
gent. lately, that certain corporations con-
trolling In whole or In part the facilities
tor the interstate carriage OF persons and
over the great railroads OF
the country have resorted in their dealings
with the public to divers measures unjust
and oppressive In their character. In
some instances the State governments have
attacked and suppressed these evils, but
In others they have been unable To afford
adequate relief because OF the Jurisdiction
al limitations which are imposed upon
then by the federal constitution. The
,,s--'idn how far the national government
nav lswsp,' interfere IN the premises, snd
what IL any supervIs.~. " - -,
10 exercise. is one which mertv, -
rul consideration. While We cannot Ia.
10 recognize the Importance OF the vast
railway systems OF the country sud their
great and beneficial Influences upon the
development OF our national wealth, we
~ the other hand remember that no indi'
Vidusl and no corporation ought 10 be in
vested with absolute power over the utter
est OF any other citizen or class Of citizens.
The right OF these railway corporations TO
4 fair aud profitable return upon their IN
veStments, and a reasonable freedom In
their regulations must be recognized, out
t seems only just that so far As the con-
stitutional authority will permit, Congress
should protect the people At large In their
Interstate traffic against acts OF injustice
which the State governments are power
less 70 prevent.
NATIONAL FORESTS.
In my last annual message called at
.entiOn 20 the necessity OF protecting by
legislation the forests situated
upon the public domsin. In many portions
81 the West the pursuit Of minerals and
agriculture Is only made practicable by re-
sort - irrigation. While successful irri-
cation would De impossible without the aid
afforded by forests in contributing 10 the
aud constsncy OF the supply OF
water. during the past year severe suffer
Dg and great loss OF property have been
by profOse foods followed by
periods OF unusually low water In many OF
he great rivers Of the country. These ir-
-egulsrities were in great measure caus-
"a hv the removal from about the sources
u the streams in question, OF the timber
BY which the water supply had been noun
shed and protected. The preservation OF
such portions OF the forests on the nation
/, domain - essentially contribute TO the
.qusole low Of important water courses is
ii the highest cons, quence. Important
tributaries OF the Missouri, the Columbia
md the Saskatchewan rises in the noun
aims Of MOntAnS, near the northern bound
NV OF the United States, between the
Black Feet and Fiat in Head IOdian reser-
,atiOn. This region is unsuitable for set
lement. but from the rivers which hOw
rom II depends 10 the future agricultural
cultivation Of y vast tract OF country. The
attention Of Congress j. called 20 the ne
,essity OF Withdrawing from public sale
his part OF the public domain and estab-
ishing there forest reserve.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS.
The industrial exhibitions which have
,een held in the nited States during the
present year attracted attention IN many
orsign countries where the establishment
u these enterprises had been made public
through the foreign agencies of this gov
,rument. The Industrial exposition ~
Boston, and the Southern exposition AT
louisville, were largely attended by the
Exhibitors OF foreign countries, notwith-
tandiug the absence OF any professional
'haraCter 10 the undertakings. The cen
eunIal exposition 20 be held next year 10
New orleans IN commemoratlOn Of the
entenery OF the first shipment OF cotton
rom port OF The United States, bids fair
o meet with ike gratifying success.
Unier the act OF Congress OF the 10Th OF
February, 1855, declaring tnst exposition
y be national and international in charac-
eT. al foreign governments with which
I Hax
.een invited 70 participate. The promot-
p received assurances OF the lively inter
- which IL excited abroad.
DISTRICT or COLUMBIA.
The report OF the Commissioners OF the |
district OF Columbia is herewith transmit |
"a. ! s>k for IL your careful attention, |
specially 10 those portions which relate
d the assessments of arrears OF taxes and |
ister supply.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The Commissioners who were appointed |
nder the act OF Jan. Is, 1888, entitled an
CT 70 remodel aud improve the civil ser
ice Of the United States, entered prompt |
: upon the discharge OF these duties. A
cries OF rules framed in accordance with /
De spirit Of the statutes was approved \
nj promulgated by the President la
ONE particulars wherein they seemed de-
.ctive those rules were subsequently
mended. Ii will be perceived that they
iscountensnced any political or religious
-St> for admission 10 those offices OF the
QOlic service 70 which the statutes relate.
he act Is limited ia its original applica-
on % the classified clerkships In the sew
raj executive departments AZ Washington,
umoering about > GOO, anu 10 similar POI
tiOus in customs departments aud post
tllces where as many as 1lty persons are
nployed. \ classification OF these posi-.
Ous analogous 70 that existing in the
7ashiDgton Offices was duly wade before
he law went into effect Eleven customs
stricts and % post offices We're thus
rought under the Immediate operation OF
le statute.
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