Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1901-12-13
among those whose sons 90 down to the

oiiOliB tIlOSC WbVeS oOiio 81 NONh w tii'
sea in ships. Unless Our commerce il
always to be carried in foreign bottoms
we must have war crafts to protect it
A great debt is owing from the pub.
lie to the men of the Army and Navy.
They should be so treated as to enable
them to reach the highest point of ef
fciency, so that they may be able to re-
spond instantly to any demand made up
on them to sustain the interests of the
Nation and the honor of the flag. The
individual American enlisted man is pro-
badly on the whole more formidable
fighting man than the regular of any
other army. Every consideration should
be shown him, and in return the highest
standard of usefulness should be eXacted
from him. 1t is we'll worth while for the
Congress to consider whether the pay Of
enlisted men upon second and subsequent
enlistments should not be increased to
correspond with the increased value OF
the veteran soldier.
Civil Service.
The merit system of making appoint
ments is in its essence as democratic
and American as the common school
system itself. 1t simply means that in
clerical and other positions where the
duties are entirely non-political, all ap-
plicants should have fair field and no
favor, each standing on his merits as
he is able to show them by practical
test Written competitive examina-
tons offer the only available means in
many cases, for applying this system In
other cases, as where laborers are en-
ployed, a system of registration I'M
can be widely extended. There
are, of course, places where the writ
ten competitive examination cannot be
applied, and others where it offers by no
means an ideal solution, but where under
political conditions it is, though an i'm
perfect means, yet the best present means
IF getting satisfactory results.
Interstate Commerce.
In 1887 a measure was enacted for
the regulation of interstate railways,
known as the Interstate
Commerce Act. The cardinal provi-
ons of that act were that railway
rates should be just and reasonable
and that all shippers, localities, and
should be accorded equal
treatment.
The act should be amended The rail-
way is public servant. Its rates should
,e just to and open to ali shippers alike.
The Government should see to it, that
within its jurisdiction this is SO, and
should provide a speedy, inexpensive
md effective remedy to that end
Uprising in China.
The general terms of the settlement
# the questions growing out of the an
i-foreign uprising in China of 1000,
aving been formulated in a joint note
ddrcsscd to China by the representa-
ives of the injured powers in Deem
er last, were promptly accepted by the
chinese Government. After protracted
differences the plenipotentiarieS Of the
everal powers were able to sign final
rotocol with the Chinese plenipoten-
iaries on the 9TH of last September,
citing forth the measures taken by
lima in compliance with the demands
f the joint note, and expressing their
abstraction Herewith. 1t will be laid
efore the Congress, with report OF
he plenipotentiary on behalf of the
United States, Mr.. William Woodville
}ockhill
The Consular Service.
The consular service is now organ
,ed under the provisions of law pass
in 1886, which is entirely inadequate
D existing conditions. The interest
hown by so many commercial bodies
the country in the reorgan-
zation of the service is heartily COM
lended to your attention.
ST. Louis Exposition.
| bespeak the most cordial support
rom the Congress and the people for |
ne St. Louis Exposition to commemo-
ate the One Hundredth Anniversary |
f the Louisiana purchase. This pur
base was the greatest instance of ex-
ansion in our history. 1t definitely |
ecided that we were to become a great |
ontinental republic, by far the fore
lost power in the Western Hcmis-
here. 1t is one of three or four great
lndmarks in Our history-the great
1rning points in Our development.
The Charleston Exposition.
The people of Charleston, with great
nergy and civic spirit, are carrying
n an Exposition which will continue
most of the present session
the Congress. l heartily recommend
lis Exposition to the good will of the
eople. 1t deserves all the encourage
lent that can be given it.
At Peace With the Nations.
The death of Queen Victoria caused |
lie people of the United States deep and
eartfelt sorrow, to which the Govern
tent gave full expression When Pres
lent Mckinley died, our Nation in turn
eceived from every quarter of the Brit
h Empire expressions of grief and
no less sincere The death of
lie Empress Dowager Frederick of Ger
lany also aroused the genuine sympathy
the American people; and this sym
athy was cordially reciprocated by
Germany when the President was assas-
mated. In the midst of our affection
e reverently thank the Almighty that
e are at peace with the nations of man
ind; and we firmly intend that Our pol
v shall be such as to continue unbroken
lese international relations of mutual
,spect and good will
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.