Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-06

ElcECdSSu TO E,01A, reaching INTO a states
and territories, and serving population
Of 1,S0l,524 The number of applications
now pending and awaiting action nearly
equals all those granted up TO the present
year about 1900 routes will have been es-
tahlshed, providing for the daily delivery
OF mails at the scattered homes of about
S,500,000 of rural population.
Value of Rural Delivery.
This service ameliorates the isolation of
farm life, conduces to good roads, and
QuickenS and extends the dissemination of
general information. Experience thus far
has tended to allay the apprehension that
il would be so expensive a to forbid its
general adoption or make it a serious bur-
den. Its actual application has shown that
it increases postal receipts, and can be &C
compan1ed by reductions IN other branehes
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.
Very efficient service has been rendered
by the navy in connection with the insur-
rectioH in the Philippines and, recent dis
turbance in China.
a very satisfactory settlement has been
made of the long-pending question of the
manufacture of armor plate. \ reason
able price has been secured and the ne
cessity for a government armor plant
avoided.
I approve of the recommendations of the
secretary of the navy for new vessels and
for additional officers and men which the
required increase OF the navy makes neceS-
Sary. l commend to the favorable action
of the congress the measure now pending
Tor the erection OF statue to the mem
DRY of the late Admiral David D. Porter.
l commend also the establishment of a
national naval reserve and of the grade
of vice admiral. Provision should be made,
as recommended by the secretary, for suit
able rewards for special merit. Many
officers who rendered the most distin-
guiShed service during the recent war with
Spain have received in return no recogni-
ton from the congress.
Oar Public Lands.
The total area Of public lands as given
by the secretary of the interior is approx
imately 1.071. SSi, f62 acres. of which 917.-
1S2 acres have been reserved for various
purposes. The pubIclands disposed of dur
ing, the year amount to 18,453SS796 acres,
including 62,42S.09 acres. of Indian lands,
an increase of 4,271, 1870 over the preced-
ing year. The total receipts from the sale
of PUBLIC lands during the fiscal year
were $4,319, 15S.10 an increase of $3.50, =
62G.76 over the preceding year.
The results obtained from our forest
pO1cN nave demonstrated us WISDOM ana
the necessity in the interest of the pub
nc for its continuance and increased ap-
preparations by the congress for the car
rying on Of the work. On June go 1900.
there were 81 forest reserves, created. by
presidential proclamation under section
"a Of the act of March 5, 1891, embracing
an area of 46425,529 acres.
The Forest Reserves.
During the past year the Olympic re-
serve, in the state of Washington, was
reduced 255.G40 acres, leaving it's present
area at 1,92S,S40 acres. The Prescott re-
serve, in Arizona, was increased from 10
1,121690 acres to 1,1S0.SO0 acres. A new
reserve. the Santa Yne =. in in California,
created during this year. On October 10,
1900, the Crow Creek forest reserve, in
Wyoming, was created with an area of
$3.50 acres.
Pensions.
At the end of the fiscal year there were
Oh the pension roll 993,225 names, a net
increase of 2,O10 over the fiscal year 1899.
the year was 1914. The amount dis
bursed for army pensions during the year
was $134, 200 1924, and for, navy, pensions
M 1U5a 65 of 81
to be covered into the treasury, which
shows an increase over the previous
were 6S4 names added to the rolls during
the year by special acts passed at the
first session of the Fifty-sixth 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
tons Of this act the number of persons
pensioned under it will increase and the
Increased annual payment for pensions
will be between So, OGG, Geo and $1,000, eco.
The government justly appreciates the
services of it's soldiers and sailors by
making pension payments liberal beyond
precedent to them, their widows and or
phans.
There were 26,54O letters patent granted,
including reissues and designs, during
trade marks, 6S2 labels and So prints reg
istered. The number of patents which eX-
pired was 1888; II The he total receipts for
lures were 81. 247 S27.5S, showing Surplus
of $110 400.71.
The attention Of the congress is called
to the report of the secretary of the in
terror touching the necessity for the fur
Their establishment of schools in the ter
ritory of Alaska, and favorable action
is invited thereon.
Progress In Hawaii.
Much interesting information is given
in the report of the governor of Hawaii
as to the progress and development OF
the islands during the period from July
Z 1898, the date of the approval of the
joint resolution of the congress provid-
ing for their annexation, UP to April 80,
1900, the date of the approval of the act
providing a government for the terri
The last Hawaiian census, taken in the
year 1896, gives a total population of
109 O2O. of which 31.019 were native Ha-
waiians. The number Of Americans re-
ported was 8,4S5. The results of the fed
eral census. taken this year, show the
islands to have total population of 154,
ported in 1896 of 44,9S1. or 41.2 per cent.
There has been marked progress in the
educational, agricultural and railroad de-
velopment of the islands.
In the territorial act Of April so, 1900,
section Z of said act repeats chapter 81
of the civil laws of Hawaii, whereby the
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
ton and others, as embodied in the re-
port of the secretary Of the interior.
The Twelfth Census.
The director of the census states that
the work in connection with the twelfth
census is progressing favorably. This
gress each decade, has finally resulted in
the collection of an aggregation of stats.
growth of the country, its manufacturing
and mechanical resources, it's richness in
mines and forests, the number OF its agrf-
culturists, their farms and products, its
educational and religious opportunities, as
we'll as questions pertaining to sociological
conditions.
The labors of the officials in charge of the
bureau indicate that the law of March
8, 1899 requiring the completion of the four
important and most desired subjects, name
w. population, agricultural, manufacture
ing and vital statistics, will be completed
j within the prescribed limit.
The field work incident to the above in
vi &c f1ni hpH and c
a result the population of the states and
territories. Including the Hawaiian islands