Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-12-07

act the number of persons pensioned un.
der 1t Will increase and the iii incr rel SEQ
tween 5000 600 and 100000. The gov
eminent justly appreciates the services
sion payments liberal beyond precedent
to them, their widows and orphans.
MORE SCHOOLS IN ALASKA.
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
rtory of Alaska, and favorable action
Is invited thereon
GROWTH AND NEEDS OF HAWAII.
Much interesting information is given in
the report of the governor of Hawaii
as se TO e b and perod om
7, 1898. the date of the approval OF the
joint resolution of the congress providing
the date of the approval of the act pro-
vlding government for the territory =
and thereafter. The last Hawaiian cen.
population of 100000 of which 3l,019. wero
native Hawaiians. The number Of Amer.
leans reported was S;4S5. The results OF
the Islands to have a total population OF
reported in 1896 of A,oSl; or AZ per cent;
There has been, marked progress In the
educational. agricultural and railroad de-
veopment OF the islands. The governor
of Hawaii recommends Legislation looking
as may exist on the public lands, with a
view OF promoting land settlement.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The department of agriculture has been
extending it's 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 fore
casts for ocean going vessels; continuing
inquiry as to animal disease looking IN
to the extent and character of food adult
preservation and intelligent harvesting
of our wood lands studying soils that
producers may cultivate with better
knowledge of conditions. and helping to
clothe desert places with grasses suita-
BILE to our arid regions. Our island pos
sessions 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 scien-
tific investigation of material In the states
and territories has been inaugurated. r.
rigation problems in our semi-arid re-
gions are receiving careful and Increased
An extensive exhibit at Paris Of the
products of agriculture has made the
people. of many, countries more familiar
with the varied products of our Holds
and their comparative excellence. The
collection of statistics regarding our crops
Is being improved and and sources OF H. inf ed
that producers may have the earliest
advices regarding crop conditions. There
M Sss Il w ssen Tn have SHOWN
more appreciation of the services of the
department.
THE TWELFTH CENSUS.
The director of the census states that
the work in connection with the twelfth
to, -i,ntg fl NrDrn
national undertaking, ordered by the
congress each decade, has finally re-
suited in the collection of an aggrega-
ton of statistical 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 agriculturists, their farms
and products, its educational and re-
ligious opportunities. as well as ques-
lions pertaining to sociological condi-
tions. The director. while confident of his
ability to complete the different branches
of the undertaking in the allotted time.
finds himself embarrassed by the lack of
a trained force properly equipped for
statistical work, thus raising the ques-
ton whether in the interests of economy
and n thorough execution of the census
work there should not be retained in the
government employ certain number OF
experts not only to aid In the preliminary
organization prior to the taking of the
decennial census. but in addition to have
the advantage in the feld and office work
Oh tne DuTtdu Ol lTdlueu dSSlSldHtS u
facilitate the early completion of this
enormous undertaking.
| recommend that the congress at it's
present session apportion representa-
ton among the several states as provided
by the constitution.
THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
That there may be secured the best
service possible in the Philippine islands,
| have issued. under date of November
10, 1900, the following order: 1.-THE United
n M fnd
to render such assistance as may be prac-
ticable to the civil service board created
under the act of the United States Phil
ipplne commission for the establishment
and maintenance of an honest and eff
cient civil service in the Philippine is
lands; and for that purpose H.E, eu to conduct t
Philippines islands, upon the request of
the civil service board of said islands,
upon by the said board and the said
United States civil service commission"
The civil service commission is great
~ embarrassed IN its work for want OF
lcal and other. assistance. Its needs are
fully set forth in its report. I invite
urge i UPON the ' Congress es that this impor,
tant bureau of the public service. which
passes upon the qualitlcat ions and char
acter of so large number of the off,
GERS and employees of the government,
should be supported by all needed APP
to secure promptness and
efficiency.
FAVORS AN EIGHT-HOUR LAW.
In my annual message of December 5.
1895, | called attention to the necessity
for some amendment of the alien con-
tract law. There still remain important
of the rightful application of
the eight-hour law for the benefit OF
labor and OF the principles of arbitration.
and / again commend these subjects to
he careful attention of congress.
A HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY.
The transfer of the government to this
,ity is q fact of great historical interest.
Among the people there is feeling OF
genuine pride in The capital of the repub-
lie. 1T Is matter of interest In this
connection that in 1900 the population OF
he District of Columbia was 14093; to-
lay it is 21S,7lS. The population of the
,ity of Washington was then $40; to-
lay 1t is 2lS19 The congress having pro-
,ided for IAN appropriate national cele..
1ration of the centennial anniversary or
he establishment of the seat of govern
nent in the District of Columbia" the
committees authorized by it have pre-
pared a programme for the 18th of De-
,ember 1900, which date has bene selected
IS the anniversary dav. Deep interest has
,een shown in the arrangements for the
celebration by the members of the COM
nittees of the senate and house or rep
the committee of govern
,rs appointed by the president and the
committees appointed by the citizens and
=, n n nitaptc of the District of Columbia