The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-06

and our view OF Its mpor64Uc4 nom
every standpoint. and that they win
national government should be repre-
scented by n full and complete set Of ex-
hibits.
Charleston Exposition
The people OF Charleston, with great
energy n civic spirit. are carrying on
an exposition which will continue
throughout most OF the present session
Of h congress 1 heartily commend
this exposition to the good viii OF n
people. II deserves all the encourage
ment that can be given il. The mana
gers of the Charleston exposition have
requested the cabinet officers to place
thereat he government exhibits which
have been at Buffalo. promising TO pay
the responsibility of directing that this
be done. for i feel hat IL is due to Char
lesion to help her in her -praiseworthy
effort. In my opinion the management
should not be required to pay all these
expenses. / earnestly recommend that
the congress appropriate at once the
small sum necessary for this purpose.
The Pan-American exposition at Buff
falo has Just closed. Both from the in
exposition has heen in a high degree
creditable TO the United States. The
terrible tragedy OF the presidents as
s~assination interfered materially with
its being a financial success. The expo
sition was peculiarly in harmony with
the trend OF our public policy, because
it represented an effort TO bring into
closer touch all the peoples of the
western hemisphere, and give them an
increasing sense OF unity. Such an ef-
fort was a genuine service TO the en-
tire American public
The advancement of the highest inter-
ests Of national science and learning
and the custody OF objects of art and OF
the valuable results OF scientific expedi-
ions conducted by the United States
have been committed to the Smithson-
ian Institution. In furtherance OF its
declared purpose-for the increase ana
diffusion of knowledge among mem
the congress has from time to time
given il other important functions.
Such trusts have been executed py the
Institution with notable fidelity. There
should be no malt in the work Of the
Institution, in accordance with the
plans which its secretary has presented.
for the preservation of the vanishing
races OF great North American animals
in the national geological park. The
urgent needs of the national museum
are recommended to the favorable con-
sideration of the congress.
Public Libraries
Perhaps the most characteristic edu-
cational movement of the past fifty
years is hat which has created the
modern public library and developed il
into broad and active service. There
are now over five thousand public libra
ries in the United States, the product
of this period. In addition to accumu-
lating material, they are also striving
ing by organization, by Improvement in
method. and by cooperation, to give
greater efficiency to the material they
hold, to make it more widely useful,
and by avoidance of unnecessary dupli-
cation in process to reduce the cost of
it's administration.
In these efforts they naturally look
for assistance to the federal library,
which, though still the library Of con-
gresS, and so entitled, is the n nation
al library Of the United States. AL
ready the largest single collection OF
books or the western hemisphere, and
certain 70 increase more rapidly h
any other through purcase, exchange,
and the operation Of the copyright law,
this library has a unique opportunity to
render to the libraries of this country
to American scholarShip-Service Of the
highest Importance. 1t is housed in a
building which is the largest and most
magnificent yet erected for library
uses. Resources are now being pro-
vided which will develop the collection
properly, equip it with apparatus and
service necessary to it's effective use.
render it's photographic work widely
available, and enable it to become, mo-
merely a center of research, but the
chief factor in great cooperative efforts
for the diffusion of knowledge and the
advancement of learning.
The Census ONCE
For the sake of good administration,
sound economy, and the advancement
of science, the census office as now con-
should be made a permanent
government bureau. This would insure
better, cheaper, and more satisfactory
work. in the interest not only of our
business but of statistic, economic, and
social science.
The Postal service
The remarkable growth of the postal
is shown in the fact hat its
revenues have doubled and it's expendi-
have nearly double within twelve
years. It's progressive development
compels constantly increasing outlay.
in this period of business energy and
prosperity it's receipts grow so much
faster than it's expenses that the an
nuaI deficit has been reduced from SILL
All, 779 in 1897 to SO, 923,7 27 in 1901.
Among recent postal advances the Sue
cess of rural free delivery wherever es-
tablished has been so marked. and
experience has made its benefits
so plain, that the demand for its extern
sion is general and urgent
1t is just that the great agricultural
should share in the i'm
provement Of the service. The number
Of rural routes now in operation is
6.009, practically all established within
three years, and there are 5000 appli-
cations awaiting action. 1t is expected
the number in operation at the
close of the current fiscal res viii
reach $500. The mail will then be
daily carried to the cor of 500, 600 OF
people who have heretofore been
Upon distant Offices. and one
third Of all that portion OF the country
is adapted to it will be covered
this kind Of service
The full measure of postal progress
which might be realized has long been
hampered and DISTRACTED by the heavy
burden imposed on the government
the intrenched and well under
abuses which have grown UP in
connection with second-class mail mat
The extent Of this burden appears