Gilpin observer., 1900-12-06

quire an army OF about 10000, and that
during present conditions in Cuba and
the Philippines the President should
have authority to increase the force to
the present number of 100000 Includ-
ed in this number authority should be
given to raise native troops in the Phil
ippines up to 5000, which the Taft
commission believe will be more effect
i've in detaching and suppressing guer-
rillas, assassins and ladrones than our
own soldiers.
"The full discussion of this subject
by the secretary Of war in his annual
report is called to your earnest atten-
ton.
MEDALS OF HONOR.
II renew the recommendation made
in my last annual message that Con-
gress provide a special medal of hon
or for the volunteers, regulars, sailors
and marines on duty in the Philippines
who voluntarily remained in the SER
vice after their terms of enlistment
had expired.
II favor the recommendation of the
secretary of war for the detail of Off
GERS from the line of the army when
vacancies occur in the adjutant gen
htpaiI-
ment, pay department, ordnance de-
partment and signal corps. The army
cannot be too highly commended for
it's faithful and effective service in act
i've military operations in the field and
the difficult work of civil administra-
ton.
RURAL FREE DELIVERY.
"The continued and rapid growth of
the postal service is sure index OF the
great and increasing business activity
of the country. Its most striking new
development is the extension of rural
free delivery. This has come almost
wholly within the last year. At the
beginning of the fiscal year 1S99-19OO,
the number of routes in operation was
only 391. and most of these had been
running less than twelve months. On
the 18th of November, 1900, the num-
Der had increased to 2,614, reaching in
to forty-four states and territories and
serving population of 1901, ,524. The
number of applications now pending
and awaiting action nearly equals all
those granted up to the present time,
and by the close of the current fiscal
year about 1000 routes will have been
established, providing for the daily de-
livery of mails at the scattered homes
of about 3,5OO,OOO rural people.
1.-THE service ameliorates the isola-
ton of farm life, conduceS to good
roads, and quickens and extends the
dissemination of general information.
Experience thus far has tended to al
lay the apprehension that it would be
so expensive as to forbid its general
adoption or make it serious burden.
Its actual application has shown that
it increases postal receipts, and can
be accompanied by reductions in other
branches of the service, so that the
augmented revenues and the accom-
plished savings together materially re-
duce the net cost. The evidences
which point to these conclusions are
presented in detail in the annual re-
port of the postmaster general, when,
with its recommendations, is recon-
mended to the consideration of the
Congress. The full development Of
this special service. however. requires
such n large outlay of money that 1t
should be undertaken only after a care
full study and thorough understanding
of all that it involves.
THE NAVY.
VERY efficient service has been rem
dered by the 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 ques-
ton of the manufacture of armor plate.
A reasonable price has been secured
and the necessity for n government ar
NOR plant avoided.
"I approve of the recommendations
of the Secretary of the Navy for new
vessels, for additional officers and men,
which the required increase of the
navy makes necessary. l recommend
to the favorable action of the Congress
the measure now pending for the erec-
ton of statue to the memory of the
late David ID. Porter. / commend also
the establishment of n national naval
reserve and of the grade of vice admi-
raj. Provisions 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
recognition from the Congress.
PUBLIC LANDS.
"rhe total area of public lands Is
given by the Secretary of the Interior
as approximately 1.O71 ISL ,662 acres,
of which 917 ,935. $50 acres are undis-
posed of and 154, ,7i5,7S2 acres have
been reserved for various purposes.
The public lands disposed of during
the year amount to 13.453, ,SS7.06 acres,
including 2,423.09 acres d Indian
lands, an increase of 71,474.S0 over
the preceding year. The total receipts
from the sale Of public lands during
the fiscal year We're S4,3I9, 1910, an
increase Of $1,000, ,G20.76 over the pre-
ceding year.
'"The results obtained from our forest
policy have demonstrated Its wisdom
and the necessity in the interest of the
public for its continuance and Increased
appropriations by the Congress for the
carrying on OF the work. on June 3O
1900, there We're thirty-seven forest re-