Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1900-12-06

act the number OF persons pensl0ned u4.
der II will increase and the increas2
tween 100000 and 100000 The gov
eminent Justly appreciates the services
Of Its soldiers and sailors by making PEN
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.
ther establishment Of schools In the ter.
ritory 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
ms to the progress and development of
the islands during the period from July
7, 1898, the date of the approval OF the
joint resolution Of the congress providing
for their annexation, up to April ~, l%c,
the date Of the approval of the act pro.
vidng government for the territory
and thereafter. The last Hawaiian cen,
aus, taken In the year lS9b, gives total
population of 100000 of which Sl,0l9 wero
native Hawaiians. The number of Amer
leans reported was S,AS5 The results OF
the federal census taken this year, show
the islands to have total population OF
lb400l, showing an Increase over that
reported In 1896 of li9Sl. or Az per cent.
There has been marked progress IN mo
educational, agricultural and railroad de-
velopment of the islands The governor
of Hawaii recommends legislation looking
10 the development of such water supply
ms may exist on the public lands, with u
view Of promoting land settlement
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
mt. 90 ,o,.Jo,, IL hnc haQU
extending its work during the past year,
reaching farther for new varieties of
seeds aud 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 biography and fore
casts for ocean going vessels continuing
inquiry as to animal disease; looking m
TO the extent and character OF food adul-
tcration. outlining plans for the care.
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 mas
been active during the year; help has
been given to many localities, ana scien-
tinc investigation of material In the states
and territories has been lnaugurated. lr-
rigatlon problems In our semi-arid re-
gons are receiving careful and Increased
| consideration.
An extensive exhibit at Paris of tho
products Of agriculture has made the
people Of many countries more familiar
with the varied products or our fields
and their comparative excellence. The
collection of statistics regarding our crops
Is being improved and sources or lnf0r.
nation are being enlarged, to the end
that producers may have the earliest
advlces regarding crop conditions. There
has never been n time when those for
whom II was established 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
census Is progressing fayorably, This
national undertaking, ordered by tho
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.
number Of It's agricullurists, their farms
and products, Its educational and re-
ligious opportunities, as well as ques-
! lions pertaining to sociological condl-
lions. 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 or
n trained force properly equipped for
statistical work, thus raising the, ques-
In ...l.. IL, l,tn af ApAt "
and thorough execution OF the census
work there should not be retained In the
government employ certain number or
experts not only to aid In the preliminary
organization prior to The tnking of the
! deccnnial census, but In addition to have
the advantage In the field and office work
of the bureau Of trained assistants to
facilitate the early completion OF this
enormous undertaking,
| recommend that the congress at It's
present session apporlion representa-
| tion among the several states rs 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
| ~ 1900, the following order, "fhc United
| States civil service commission IL directed
| to render such assistance as may be prac-
tlCable to the clvl service board created
| under the net Of the United States Phil
| ipplne commission for the establishment
and maintenance Of an honest ana elii-
cent civil service In the Philippine is-
lands, aud for that purpose to conduct
examinations for the civil service Of the
Philippines Islands, upon the request OF
the clyll service board of said Islands,
under such regulations as may be agreed
l.. tl.. al YI a,t.l a
| United States civil service commission"
The clvil service commission liz great
ly embarrassed In It's work for want of
, an adequate permanent force for eler-
ical and other assistance Its needs are
a9llH, sSsI forth he IN , !s report invite
urge upon the congress that this impor-
tant bureau OF the public service which
passes upon the qualifications and char
aCter Of 80 large number Of the oiil-
GERS and employees OF the government,
should be supported by all needed ap.
preparations to secure promptness and
efficiency
FAVORS AN ElGHT-HOUR LAW.
In my annual message Of December 8.
1sJs, | called attention to the necessity
for some amendment Of the allen con
tract law There still remain important
features Of the rightful application OF
IHt tlBnlaHDUT INV IUT Tue u'Htiit ~
labor and of the principles Of arbitration,
and | again commend these subjects to
the careful attention Of congress.
A HISTORIC ANNIVERSARY,
The transfer Of the government to this
city is n fact of great historical interest.
Among the people there is u feeling Of
genuine pride In the capital of the repub-
lc II Is a matter Of interest IN this
connection that In 1900 the population OF
the District Of Columbia was li,O53; to-
day II IL 2B7lS, The population of the
city Of Washington was then $40 to-
day II In 2ls,l 1856 The congress having pro-
yldod for IAN appropriate national oele.
bMlon Of the centennial anniversary OF
the establishment Of the sect Of govern
ment IN the District Of Columbia the
committees authorized by II have pre-
parod q programme Tor the l2th OF De-
ctmbef, 1870, which date has bene selected
as the anniversary day. Deep Interest has
been shown In the ARRANGEMENTS FOR ths
celebration by the mcInbeif of the COM
nlttces Of the senate aal house OF rep