The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1900-12-06

sive to forbid its general adoption or mako
IL serious burden. Its actual application has
shown that 1t increases poetal receipts md can
be accompanied by reductions In other branches
of the service. so that the augmented rev.
enues and the accomplished savings together
materially reduce the net cost. Tho evidences
which point to these conclusions presented
In detail in the annual report Of the post
master general which, with its recommends
ticns. is recommended to the consideration Of
the congress. The full development Of this spe.
cial service, however, requires such large outs
lay of money that 1t should be undertaken only
after careful study and thorough understand
ing Of all that it involves.
Very efficient service has been rendered by
thu navy In connection with the insurrection
in the philippines and the recent disturbance
in China. A very satisfactory settlement has
been made of the long-pending question of tho
n.nafaeture of armor plate. reasonable
price has been secured and the necessity for
government armor plant avoided.
NEW VESSELS FOR NAVY.
approve OF the Recommendations Of the
Secretary of the Navy for new vessels and
for additional officers and men which the re-
Gutred increase of the navy makes necessary.
1 commend to the favorable action Of the con-
gress the measure now pending for the erection
of u statue to the memory Of the late Admiral
David ID. Porter. ! commend also the estab-
lshment of national naval reserve and of tho
grade of vice admiral. Provision should he
made. as recommended by the secretary, for
suitable rewards for special merit. Many Of
ficers who rendered the most distinguished SER
vice during the recent war with Spain have re-
cctved In return recognition from the con-
gross.
The total area OF public lands as given by
the Secretary of the Interior Is approximately
1,o7l ,s62 ncres. Of which 9t7.ss5,sso acres
are undisposed of and l54,745,7s2 acres have
been reserved for various purposes. The pub
lie lands disposed of during the year amount
to Is. 49, So. Ss acres including g. 90 acres
OF Indian lands an increase of 4,2T. 4T4 so over
the preceding year. The total receipts from
the sale of lands during the fiscal year were
Si.37a75s 80 increase of 1905. 62o.76 over the
preceding year. s4a
The results obtained from our forest policy
have demonstrated Its wisdom and the peces-
si;y in the interest of the public for its con-
tinuance and increased appropriations by the
congress- for the carrying on of the work. On
June 80, 1900, there were thirty-seyen forest
reserves, created by presidential proclamations
embracing area of 46, 42A.529 acres.
During the past year the Olympic reserve.
In the state OF Washington reduced $685.
0i0 acres. leaving Its present area at 1.923.S4O
acres. The Prescott reserve in Arizona was in
creased from 1920 to 42S $50 acres, and the
Big Horn reserve in Wyoming, was Increased
from 1,127, $50 acres to 1.1so.soo acres new
reserve the Santa Ynez. in California. EN-
bracins an area Of lA5,Ooo acres, was created
during this year. On Oct. 10, 1900, the Grow
Greek forest reserve in Wyoming. was created
with area of $50 acres.
At the end of the fiscal yenr there were on
the pension roll 3.225 names. net increase
of 200 over the fiscal year 1885, The number
added to the rolls during the year was 45,344
TIE amonnt disbuised for army pensions dur
ing the year was Sl34, 700. "a, and for navy
pensions sS,76l 5sS.41 total of slas .462 1870. 65
leaving an nncXpended balance of $o5i2.7 $685. 5 to
he covered into the treasury, which shows ar
increase over the previous years expenditure
of s101, 077.70. There Were 6ss names added to
the rolls during the year by special acts passed
at the first session of the ffty-sixth congress.
Tie net of May. 1900, among other things.
provides for extension Of income to widows
rcrsoned under said act to $3.50 per annum. The
Secretary of the Interior believes that by the
operations of this act the number of persons
pensoned under it will increase and the in
creased annual payment for pensions will he
between S3.0oo,000 and s4,0oO,o0o. The govern
ment justly appreciates the services OF Its sol
d;ers and sailors ny making pension payments
liberal beyond precedent for them, their wild.
ows and orphans.
There We're $3.50 letters patent granted. in
Guiding reissues and designs, during the fiscal
year ended juno 30, 1890; LOGO trademarks, 6Ss
labels and, % prints registered. The number OF
patents which expired was 1885. The total
receipts for patents were 81 1858 u.s. 30. The eS'
pcnditures were sl.247, s2T.ss, showing surplus
of $1lo, 40o.77.
The attention of the congress Is called to the
report of the Secretary of tile Interior touch-
of schools In the Territory OF Alaska and ia
vcratle action is Invited thereon.
HAWAII AND TIE CENSUS.
The progress and population of Hawaii Is
tbs next subject touched upon and then tho
message takes up the department of agriculture
as foilows
The Department Of Agriculture has been ex.
tending its work during the past gear, reaching
farther for new varieties of seeds and plants;
cooperating more fully with the states and
territories In research along useful lines, max
ing progress in meteorological work relating to
lines of wireless tclegraphy and forecasts for
ocean goin. vessels: continuing inquiry us to
animal disease; looking into the extent and
character of food adulterat!oa outlining plans
for the care. preservation and intelligent har-
vestng Of woodlands; Studying soils that
producers may cultivate with better knowledg.
OF conditions. and helping to clothe desert
places With grasses suitable to our arid re-
slops. Our island possessions are being con.
sidercd that their peoples may be helped to pro-
,lure the tropical products now extensively
brought into the United States. Inquiry into
! methods of improving onr roads has been active
during the year; help has bccn given to many
localities, and scientific Investigation of mate.
rial IN the states and territories bus been in.
augnrated. Irrigation problems in orr semi
,rd regions arc receiving careful md increased
consideration.
EXHIBIT AT PARIS.
An extensive exhibit ut Paris of the prod
ucts of agriculture has made the peoples OF
many countries familiar with the varied
products of our fields and their comparative
excellence. The collection of statistics regard
ing crops is being improved. aud sources
of Information heing enlarged, to the enc
thar producers may have the earliest advices
| Regarding crop conditions. There has neve,
been time when those for whom it was es
tabished have shown more appreciation Of the
services of the department.
CONTRACT LABOR LAWS.
In my annual message of Dec. 5. 1895, call
ed attention to the necessity for some amend
ment of the alien contract law. There still
remain important features OF the rightful appli
| cation of the eight-hour law for the benef
of labor, and Of the principle of arbitration. ant
again commend these subjects to the careful
| attention of the congress.
| CIVIL SERVICE IN PHILIPPINES.
| That there may be secured the best seryic.
| possible in the Philippine Islands. have
| issued, under date OF Nov TO- 1890, the follow
| ing order:
'.The United States civil service commission
| is directed to render such assistance ma.
no rracticable to the civil service board. create,
under the act Of the United States Philippine
commission, for the establishment and main
tenance of nm honest and efficient civil service
1 In the Philippine Islands, and for that purpos
| to conduct exanina tons for the civil service o
| the Philippine Islands. upon the request of tn
civil service board of said islands, under sucl
regulations as may be agreed upon by the salt
board and the said United States civil servic
| commission
The civil service commission ia greatly EN-
| barrassed In its work for want Of an adequat
permanent force for clerical and other assist
| ance. Its needs fully set forth in its re
1 port. invite attention to the report, and es
| pecially urge upon the congress that this i'm
| portant bureau of the public service, whic
passes upon the qualifications and character o
| 30 large number of the officers and employe
of the government. should be supported by al
needed appropriations to secure promptness nm
efficiency.
THE WASHINGTON CENTENNIAL.
The transfer OF the government to this cit
4 ID a fact Of great historical interest Among tn
4 people there Is feeling Of genuine pride in til
1 capital Of the republic. 1t lie matter of in
4 terest in this connection that in 1900 the popu
1 latior of the District Of Columbia was 14,o9a