The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-12-08
NAVY.

Inc C0mmSuQ8oOu u oN0
Of the navy for more ships a an in-
crease In the personnel OF the nav ~
approved, as well as those Of the estao-
snT ZEN ssca a national io ra si o odsee Who
rendered distinguished service during 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 50. lSo9i
section z 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; q
looking to the development of such water
supply as may exist on the public landss
| with a view of promoting land settlement
| The earnest consideration of the congress
is Invited to this important recommends
| ton and others, as embodied in the re-
port Of the secretary of the interior.
The Twelfth Census
The work of taking the twelfth census
The director Of the census states that
the work in connection with the twelfth
| census is progressing favorably. This
eress each decade. has finally resulted In
the collection Of an aggregation or stats.
tical facts to determine the industrial
and mechanical resources, its richness IN
| mines and forests, the number Of its agri-
| culturists, their farms and products, its
educational and religious Opportunities; a,
The iabors 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
", population. agricultural; manufaetur:
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
IS. $50 acres are undisposed Of, and ia. a.
7s2 acres a been reserved for various
purposes. The publiclands disposed of dur.
including Sa.42a.0s acres of Indian lands.
an increase of 4.271 ,474.s0 over the preced-
ing year. The total receipts. from the sale
were si.s7s.7ss.io. an increase Of Is1.sos.-
$40. 76 over the preceding year.
The results obtained from our forest
| the necessity in the interest OF the pub
lie for it's continuance and increased ap-
preparations by the congress for the car
rying on of the work. On June 80. 1900.
| there were 81 forest reserves. created by
presidential proclamations under section
"a Of the act of March 8. 1891. embracing
an area of 46.425,529 acres
Pensions.
At the end Of the fiscal year there were
on the pension roll $685. 25 names. a net
increase of 2.010 over the fiscal year 1899.
The number added to the rolls during
bursed for army pensions during the year
was 1854. 100, 5S7. "a. and for navy pensions
ss.761, 5SS.41, a total of slsS. 1862. 1896, leav-
to be covered into the treasury. which
shows an increase over the previous
years expenditure Of sloI07Ll0 There
the year by special acts passed at the
first session of the Fifty-sixth congress.
The act Of May. 1900. among other
come to widows pensioned under said
act to $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 $500, COO and si.CC1.ot0.
The government justly appreciates the
services of its soldiers and sailors by
making pension payments liberal beyond
precedent to 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 fuly
with the states and territories in re-
search along useful lines: making prog
ress in meteorological work relating to
for o~cean-going vessels; continuing in
quiry as to animal disease; looking into
the extent and character Of food adult
teration: outlining plans for the care.
preservation and intelligent harvesting Of
our woodlands: studying soils that pro-
ducers may cultivate with better knowl-
desert places with grasses. suitable to
our arid regions. Our island possessions
are being considered that their peoples
products now so extensively brought into
the United States. Inquiry into methods
of improving our roads has been active
many localities, and scientific investiga-
ton Of material in the states and ter
ritories has been inaugurated. Irrigation
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. I have
issued. under date of November 10. 1900. the
The United States civil service commits
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-
t~ablishment 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 aid Islands. under
by the said board and the said United
States civil service commission
The civil service r. &c commission comm ssh - greatly
adequate permanent force for clerical and
other assistance. Its needs are fully set
forth in its report. 1 invite attention to
the report, and especially urge upon the
congress that this important bureau Of the
public service, which passes upon the
qualifications and character of so large q
number of the officers and employees OF
the government, should be supported by al =
needed appropriations to secure prompt.
ness and efficiency.
Washington Celebration.
The transfer Of the government to this
city Is a fact of great historical interest.
Among the people there Is a feeling Of
genuine pride in the capital of the re-
public.
nection that in 1880 the population of the
is 27s,n8. The population Of the city of
Washington was then $40; to-day It IL
21S. 1876.
The congress having provided for IAN
appropriate national celebration Of the
centennial anniversary of the establish.
ment Of the seat Of government in the
District of Columbia" the committees
by 1t have repaired a pro.
gramme for the 18th Of December, 1900
which date has been selected as the an.
day. Deep interest has been
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
mittees appointed by the citizens and in
of the District Of Columbia
generally. The programme, in addition
to a reception and other exercises at the
executive mansion. provides commemora-
tive exercises to be held jointly by the