Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1900-12-06
Rnral Mais psls.erx a success.

The message declares the rural mail de-
livery a success, saying its rapid growth
IS "a sure index OF the great and inereas-
ing business activity Of the country. FMS
life conduces to good roads. and quick
ems and extends the dissemination of gem
era1 information. Experience thus far
has tended to a3lay the apprehension thar
1t would be 50 extensive as to forbid its
general adoption or make it a serious
burden It's actual application has shown
that it Increases postal receipts. ana can
be accompanied By reductions IN other
branches Of the service, 50 that the aug
mented revenues and the accomplished
savings together materially reduce the
Recommendations of the secretary OF
the navy for new vessels and for in
creased force are approved, and the es-
Enlistment of q national naval reserve
and OF. the grade of Eice admiral is recon-
mended. and also provision for suitable
rewards for special merit Inc president
most distinguished service during the re-
cent war with Spain have received N re-
turn no recognition from the congress 1
commend TO the favorable aetlon % ire
congress the measure now pending for
the erection OF a statue to the memory OF
the late Admiral David p. Porter.
On the question OF pensions the message
says:
DAT the end of the fiscal year there vera
on the pension roll 995 so names, q net
increase Of 20l9 over the fiscal year lhsy-
The number added to the rolls during the
year was a5.Ss4 The amount 0ts2QlSsG
for army pensions during the year was
S134 7G0. 5S7. q. and for navy pensions IS, :
ISL 5s3.41, a total Of SIS ,46z lsi 81. leaving
an unexpected balance of S55sz. 45s.23 10
be covered into the treasury, which
shows an increase over the previous
year S expenditure Of SI0l.aIl.l9- There
were 6e4 names added to the rolls during
the wear by special acts passed at the first
session of the F'ifty-sixth congress. Ire
act of May O. 1890. among other things.
provides for an extension or income =
widows pensioned under said act 70 Sz35
per annum. The secretary OF the inter-
Tor believes that by the operations Of this
act the number of persons Eensloned un-
der It VIII increase and the increased an
nual payment for pensions Will De De-
tween 50 900 800 and S40s1Q0 The gov
}ernment Jastly appreciates tA1eT services
of its soldiers and SaisSfS oy making PEN
sion payments liberal beyond precedent to
them, their widows and orphans.
New Apportionnsent Recommended
Apportfonment of representation among
the states under the new census is &C.
commended, as provided BY the constitu-
ton.
the recommendation of the governor of
Hawaii fer the development Of water
supplies on the public lands in the isl
and. especially by irrigation. with q view
of promoting land settlements
Referring to the department OF agri-
culture. the message says.
aThe department of agriculture has
been extending its work during the past
wear. reaching farther for new yarities
of seeds and plants; cooperating more
fully with the states and territories IN
research along useful liness making pro-
eress in meteorological work relating TO
lines of wireless telegTaphy and forecasts
for ocean going vessels; continuing IN
uuiry as to animal disease. looking into
the extent and character OF food adul-
feratfon: outlining plans for the care.
preservation and intelligent harvesting of
our Woodlands; Studying soils that pro-
ducers may cultivate with better knoWl-
edge of conditions, and helping to clothe
desert places with grasses suitable to cur
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 Uni
ted States. Inquiry into methods Of i'm
proving our roads has been active dur
ing the year; help has been given to
many localities. and scientific investiga-
ton of material in the states and terri
tories has been inaugurated. Irrigation
ceiving careful and increased eorisidera-
ton.
IAN extensive exhibit at Paris OF the
products of agriculture has made the peo-
PIE of many countries more familiar with
the varied products of our fields and their
comparative excellence.
The collection of statistics regarding
our crops is being improved and sources
of information are being enlarged to the
end that producers may have the earliest
advices regarding crop conditions There
has never been a time when those for
whom it has been established have shown
more appreciation Of the services OF the
department.
Amend Alien Contract Law.