Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1900-12-08

general information. Experience thus far
has tended to allay the apprehension that
II would be so expensive al to forbid its
general adoption or make II a serious bur
den. Its actual application has shown that
1t increases postal receipts, and can be ac-
cOmpanied by reductions In other branches
of the service, so that the augmented rev.
enues and the accomplished savings to-
gether materially reduce the net cost The
evidences which point to these conclusions
are presented In detail In the annual re-
port of the postmaster general which with
its recommendations is recommended to
the consideration Of the congress. The full
development of this special service, how
ever, requires such large outlay Of money
that It should be undertaken only after a
careful study and thorough understanding
Of all that it involves.
The Navy.
The recommendations Of the secretary
Of the navy for more ships and an in.
crease in the personnel Of the navy are
approved, as well as those Of the estab-
lishment Of a national naval reserve and
suitable recognition for IL officers who
rendered distinguished service curing the
war with Spain.
Progress In Hawaii.
The progress and development Of Ha-
wall Is noted and attention called to the
needs of the islands as follows:
In the territorial act of April 30, 1900.
section Of said act repeals chapter "a
of the civil laws of Hawaii, whereby the
government was to assist in encouraging
and developing the agricultural resources
of the republic, especially irrigation. The
governor of Hawaii recommends legislation
looking to the development of such water
supply as may exist on the public lands,
with a view Of promoting land settlement.
The earnest consideration Of the congress
Is invited to this important recommends
tion and others, as embodied In the re-
port of the secretary of the interior.
The Twelfth Census.
The work of taking the twelfth census
is referred to as follows:
The director of the census states that
the work in connection with the twelfth
census is progressing tavorably. This
national undertaking, ordered by the con-
gress each decade has finally resulted in
the collection Of an aggregation of statis-
tical facts to determine the Industrial
growth of the country, its manufacturing
and mechanical resources It's richness in
mines and forests, the number of its agri-
cultursts, their farms and products, its
educational and religious opportunities, as
well as questions pertaining to sociological
conditions.
The iabors of the officials in charge Of the
bureau indicate that the law of March
3, 1899 requiring the completion of the four
important and most desired subjects, name
ly, population, agricultural manufacture
ing and vital statistics, will be completed
within the prescribed limit
Our Public Lands.
The total area of public lands as given
by the secretary of the interior is approx
imately 1,07l, SS1, ,G62 acres, Of which 9l7-
935,SSO acres are undispOsed Of, ard 154, 49,
7S2 acres have been reserved for various
purposes. The publiClands disposed of dur
ing the year amount to 1858, SSL96 acres,
including 62,42309 acres Of Indian lands,
an increase of 4.271 474S0 over the preced-
ing The total TpppiDtc from thp ga IA
of public lands during the fiscal year
were AS79,75S.10. an increase Of $780,
620.76 over the preceding year.
The results obtained from our forest
policy have demonstrated its wisdom and
the necessity in the interest of the pub
lie for its continuance and increased ap-
preparations by the congress for the car
rying on of the work. On June 80, 1860,
there were 81 forest reserves, created by
presidential proclamauons under section
q Of the act Of March 9, 1891, embracing
an area of 46,425,52 acres.
Pensions.
At the end of the fiscal year there were
on the pension roll 993.225 names, a net
increase of 20l0 over the fiscal year 1899.
The number added to the rolls during
the year was 1884 The amount dis
burscd for army pensions during the year
3,7Gl, 533H, a total Of $lSS 49,, 1905, leav-
ing an uneXpended balance of s., ,542, ,I6S Is
to be covered into the treasury, which
shows an increase over the previous
were GSi names added to the rolls during
the year by special acts passed at the
first session of the Fifty-slXth congress.
The act of May, 1900 among other
things provided for an extension of in
come to widows pensioned under said
act to $3.50 per annum. The secretary of
the interior believes that by the opera
tons Of this act the number of persons
pensioned under it will increase and the
increased annual payment for pensions
will be between S3 600 600 and S000 600.
The government justly appreciates the
services of its soldiers and sailors by
making pension payments liberal beyond
precedent 10 them, their Widows and or
phans,
Agriculture.
The department of agriculture has been
extending its work during the past year,
reaching farther for new varieties of
seeds and plants; cooperating more fully
with the states and territories in re-
search along useful lines; making prog
ress in meteorological work relating to
lines of wireless telegraphy and forecasts
for Ocean-gOing vessels; continuing in
the extent and character of food adul-
teratiOn; outlining plans for the care,
and intelligent harvesting Of
our woodlands; studying soils that pro-
UuteIS may culIlNdIe WIN helltT kllONl-
edge of conditions, and helping to elothe
desert places with grasses suitable to
our arid regions. Our island possessions
are being considered that their peoples
may be helped to produce the tropical
products now so extensively brought into
the United States Inquiry into methods
of improving our roads has been active
during the year; help has been given to
many localities, and scientific inVestiga-
ton of material in the states and ter
,t.,1 tt-y,
problems in our semi-arid regions are
receiving careful and increased consider
alton
Civil Service for Philippines.
That there may be secured the best serv-
ice possible IN the Philippine islands have
issued under date of November TO- 1900, the
following Order
sion is directed to render such assistance
as may be practicable to the civil service
board, created under the act Of the United
States Philippine commission, for the es
tablishment and maintenance of an honest
and efficient civil service in the Philippine
examinations for the civil service of the
Philippine islands, upon the request of the
civil service board of said islands, under
such regula tiOus as may be agreed upon
by the said board and the said United
States civil service commission.
The civil service commission IS greatly
in its work for want of an
adequate permanent force for clerical and
other assistance. Its needs are fully set
forth in its report. | invite attention to
the report and especially urge upon the
that this important bureau of the
public service which passes upon the
qualifications and character of so large 4
number of the officers and employees OF
the government should be supported by all
needed appropriations to secure prompt
ness and efficiency.
Washington Celebration.
The transfer of the government to this
city is fact of great historical interest:
Among the people there Is q feeling OF
genuine pride in the capital of the re-
public.
necton that in 1850 the population of the
District of Columbia was 1893; to-day it
is 27S7lS. The population Of the city of
Washington was then S,2lO; to-day it is
2lS,19j.
appropriate national celebration of the
anniversary Of the establish
mont of the seat of government in the
District of Columbia" the committees
authorized by 1t have prepared pro-
gramme for the 18th of December, 1900,
which date has been selected as the an
niyersary day. Deep interest has been
shown in the arrangements for the cele-
bration by the members of the commit
tees Of the senate and house of repre-
sentatives, the committee Of governors
appointed by the president, and the COM
nittees appointed by the citizens and in
labitants of the District Of Columbia
The programme, in addition
10 a reception and other exercises at the
Executive mansion, provides commemora-
i've exercises to be held jointly by the
'enate and house of representatives In the
lall of the house of representatives, and
/ reception in the evening at the Cor
,oran Gallery of Art in honor of the
governors of the states and territories.
Conclusion.