The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-05
Miscellaneous Topics.
FOREST PROTECTION.


FOREST PROTECTION
In my last annual message l called atten-
zion to the necessity of protecting by suita-
hle legislation the forests situated upon the
public domain. In many portions OF the
West the pursuit of general agriculture is
only made practicable by resort to irrigation,
while successful irrigation would be impos-
sible without the aid afforded by forests il
contributing to the regularity and constan-
ey of the supply of water. During the past
year severe suffering and great
loss of property have been occasioued
by profuse foods, followed by periods
of unusually low water in many OF the great
rivers of the country These irregularities
we're, in great measure, caused by the re-
moval from about the sources of the streams
in question of the timber by which the water
supply has been neurished and protected.
The preservation of such portion OF the for
ests on the national domain essentially
contribute to an equable flow of important
water-courses is of the highest consequence.
The important tributaries of the Missouri,
the Columbia and the Saskatchewan rise in
the mountains of Montana, near
the northern boundary of the United
States between the Blackfeet and
Flathead Indian reservations. This region
is unsuitable for settlement, but upon the
rivers which flow from it depends the future
country. The attention of Congress is called
to the necessity of Withdrawing from public
sales this part of the public domain and es-
tablishing there forest preserve.
INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITIONS.
The industrial exhibitions which have been
held in the United States during the present
year attracted attention in many foreign
countries, where the announcement of those
enterprises had been made public through the
foreign agencies of this government. The
industrial exhibition at Boston and the
Southern exposition at Louisville were
largely attended by exhibitors of foreign
countries, Notwithstanding the absence of
any professional character in those under
takings. The Centennial Exposition, to be
held next year at New Orleans in comment
Grafton of the centenary of the first shipment
of cotton from port of the United States,
bids fair to meet with like gratifying sue
cess. Under the act of Congress of the 10th
of February, 1888, declaring that exposition
to be national and international in its charac-
ter, all foreign governments with which the
United States maintain relations have been
invited to participate. The promoters of
this important undertaking have already
received assurances of the lively interest
which it has excited abroad.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
District of Columbia is herewith submitted
ask for it your careful attention, especially
for those portions which relate TO assess
ments, arrears of taxes and water supply.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The commissioners who were appointed
under the act of January Is, 1883, entitled
IAN act to regulate and improve the civil
service of the United States" entered
promptly upon the discharge of these duties
A series of rules, framed in accordance with
the spirit of the statute, was approved and
promulgated by the President. In some par
tieulars wherein they seemed defective,
those rules were subsequently, amended. 1t
will be perceived that they discountenance
any political or religious tests for admission
to the Offices of the public service to which
the statute relates The act is limited in its
original application, to the classified clerk
ships in the several executive departments at
Washington, umbering about g. 600, and to
similar positions in customs districts and
postoffices where as many as fifty persons are
employed. A classification of these posi-
tions analogous to that existing in the Wash
ington offices was duly made before the
law went into effect. Eleven customs
districts and twenty-three postoffices were
thus brought under the immediate operation
of the statute. The annual report of the
Civil-seryce Commission, which will soon be
submitted to Congress, will doubtless afford
the means of more definite Judgment than
/ am now prepared to express as to the merits
of the new system. l am persuaded that its
effects have, thus far proved beneficial. It's
practical methods appear to be adequate for
the ends proposed, and there have been no
serious difficulties in carrying them into
effect Since the 10Th of July last
no person. so far as am
aware, has been appointed to the public
service in the classified portions thereof, at
any of the departments or at any of the post
Offices and customs districts above named,
except those certified by the commission TO
be the most competent on the basis of ex-
aminatiohs held in conformity to the rules.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
At the time when the present executive
entered upon office, his DEATH removal,
designation or inability to discharge his du-
ties would have left the government without
constitutional head. 1t is possible of
curse, that similar contingency may
rain arise unless the wisdom of Con-
Hess shall provide against its recurrence.
fhA S-nate. at its last session, after