Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-12-06

| with the states and territories IN re-
I search along useful lines; making prog
| ress in meteorological work relating TO
| lines of wireless telegraphy and forecasts
| for ocean-gofng vessels; continuing in
Quiry IS to amman disease; looking into
| the extent and character of food adul-
terati0n: outlining plans for the care,
| preservation and intelligent hary esting 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
| our arid regions Our island possessions
| are being considered that their peoples
| may be helped TO produce the tropical
| products now so extensively brought into
Of improving our roads has been active
during the year; help has been given to
many localities, and scientific investiga-
ton of material in the states and ter
ritories has been inaugurated Irrigat ton
problems In our Semi-arid regions are
receiving careful and increased consider
alton.
Agricultural Exhibit at Paris.
An extensive exhibit at Paris of the
products of agriculture has made the
peoples OF many countries more familiar
with the varied products Of our fields and
their COMPARE tive 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 time when those for
WHOM 1t was 6SIablSneu nave SHOWN
more appreciation of the services of the
department.
In my annual message of December 5.
1898, [ called attention to the necessity
for some amendment of the alien con-
tract law. There still remain important
features of the rightful application of
labor and of the principle of arbitration,
and I again commend these subjects to
the careful attention Of the congress.
Civil Service fer Philippines.
That there may be secured the best serv-
issued, under date of November 10, 1900, the
following order:
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-
tablishment and maintenance of an honest
and efficient civil service in the Philippine
islands, and for that purpose to conduct
examinations for the civil service of the
civil service board of said islands, under
SUCH regulations as may be agreed upon
by the said board and the said United
States civil service commission.
The civil service commission is greatly
embarrassed in its work for want of an
adequate permanent force for clerical and
other assistance. Its needs are fully set
forth in its report. l 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 all
needed appropriations to secure prompt
ness and efficiency.
Hall of Public Records
am very much impressed with the state
ment made by the heads of all the depart-
ments Of the urgent necessity of hall Of
public records. In every departmental
building in Washington, so far as ] am
informed, the space for official records is
not only exhausted, but the walls of rooms
u rn in vol hn
space of many rooms is filled with file
cases, and garrets and Easements, which
We're never intended and are untitled for
their accommodation, are crowded with
them. Aside from the Inconvenience there
is great danger, not only from fire. but
from the weight of these records upon
timbers not intended for their support
| There should be a separate building espe-
cially designed for the purpose of receive
ing and preserving the annually accumu-
lating archives of the several executive de-
partments. Such a hall need not b a
costly structure, but should be so arranged
as to admit of enlargement from time to
time. l urgently re- mmend that the con-
gress take early action in this matter.
l transmit to the congress a resolution
adopted at a recent meeting Of the Ameri-
can Bar association o concerning In the pro-
February 4, 1901. Fitting exercises have
been arranged, and it is earnestly desired
by the committee that the congress may
participate in this movement to honor the
! memory of the great jurist.
Washington Celebrations
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.
1t is matter of interest in this con-
nectiOn that IN 1900 the popula ton of the
District of Columbia was 1903: to-day it
is 2IS,71S The population of the city of
Washington was then 1910; to-day it is
21S,196.
The congress having provided for IAN
appropriate national celebration of the
centennial anniversary of the establish
p enr Of e Columbia, the committ e
authorized by, it have prepared pro
which date has been selected as the an
niversary day. Deep interest has been
shown in the arrangements for the cele
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
habitants of the District Of Columbia
generally. The programme. in addition
to a reception and ether exercises at the
executive mansion, provides commemora-
tive exercises to be held jointly by the
senate ard house Of representatives in the
a reception in the evening at the Cor
coran Gallery of Art in honor of the
governors of the states and territories.
Conclusion.
: In our great prosperity must guard
against the danger IL invites OF an eX-
travagance in government expenditures
and appropriations; and the chosen rep
resentativeS of the people will l doubt
DOT. furnish an eXamp!e in their legiSla-
; ton of that wise economy which in q sea-
son OF plenty husbands for the future.
, In this era Of great BUSINESS activity and
, opportunity caution s not untimely. 1t
will not abate. but strengthen, confidence.
It will net retard. but promote, legitimate
industr.a a and commercial i -, ex =
tons and perils requiring constant vigil
ance to avoid It must not be used to in
vite conflicts, nor for oppression but for
the more effective aintenance of those
principles of equal and justice upon
which our institutions and happiness de-
pend Let US keep always in mind that
the foundation of our government is lib
erty; Its superstructure. peace.
WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Dec 4, 1900.