The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-12-13
VARIOUS
National Library Census Bureau
Rural DeIivery-Postal Proqress.

Perhaps the most characteristic educa-
tlonal movement OF the past fifty years
Over 5000 libraries in the United States
are accommodating material, striving to
give greater efficiency to the material
administrator. They naturally look for
assistance to tho federal library, which,
though still the library Of congress, Is the
one national library. Of the United States:
Already the largest single collection of
BOOKS on the western hemisphere, and GER
tain to increase more rapidly than any
other; this library has opportunity to rom
DER TO the Libraries Of this country-to
American scholarship-service of the high
est Importance.
The census office should DO q permanent
better. cheaper and more satisfactory
work. ~
Postal reyenues ave doubled and ex-
years; h annual deficit has been re-
duced from $11, All, ITO in 1897 to So, 1923, 727 in
i9ol. me success Of rural free delivery
has been SO marked that the demand for
Its extension Is urgent. .
Rural Delivery.
The great agricultural population should
share In the improvement of the service.
The number of rural routes Is 5000, prac-
aiealiy "a an established within three years.
IS expected the lumber at the close Of the
fiscal year will reach 5000. Mall Will then
pc carried to the doors of 100000 people
astStoioiG oepeHaent upon distant OFFICES,
and one,third Of all the country adapted
to 1t will be covered by his service.
PoStal progress has long been hampered
by the heavy burden imposed through
matter. While second-class matter makes
nearly three-nfths of the weight of ell
mall, It paid for the. last fiscal year only
9, 294, 445 Of the aggregate revenue Of SILL
6S1, 1873. If the pound rate, which reduces
the large loss thus entailed, cnu which
vas nSea to encourage dissemination OF
ma were limited 10 legitimate
newspaper and periodicals no exception
could be taken. That expense would be
me cost OF a liberal public policy for a
justlllable end. But much matter which
ENJOYS the privileged rate Is outside the
intent OF the law. The proportion of such
matter Is estimated to be one-half the vol
udne OF second-class mall. TIL department
has now undertaken to remove the abuses
by a %stricter application of the law, and
1t should be sustained.
Chinese Trouble.
The settlement Of questions growing out
o. tne ant1-foreign uprisings In China in
1sot, haylng been formulated in a Joint
December last, was accepted by the Chi
nese government. The pieni%potentiartes
81 Cb1 the powers signed a protocol with tho
September, setting forth the measures
taken by China. 1t will be laid before
ft % with a report Of the ]plenlpo-
Mr.; William WoodvIlle Rockhill, to whom,
high praise Is due for tact, good judg-
H T ana energy displayed.
Inc Chinese government has agreed to
better the water approaches to Shanghai
una Ileh Is1n and an International con-
servancy board has been provided for i'm
p pision eq Of Of the Shanghai river. A re-
has been assented to, substituting specifc
Tor ad Valorem duties, and an eXpert has
been sent by the United States to assist
4 fra ms work. a list of articles to remain
Tree Oh uutv. Including Hni,r norno3 .-l
rice, gold and silver coin and bullion. has
been agreed upon. ~ $3.50
During these roubIes our government
mas unsWervingly advocated moderation.
ana mas materially aided in bringing
about an adjustment which tends to en-.
tba "od the T Gen1 Of China; We advocate
ment of enlarged commercial opportuni-
ties on the coasts, but access to the in
terror by the waterways. Only by bring
ing China INTO peaceful community Of.
trade with all peoples can the work now
ausplciously begun be carried to fruition,
we necessarily claim parity of treatment
the empire for our trade and
citizens with those of all other powers.
We view with lively interest and homes
tho Pan.American congress at the Mex
lean capital. The delegates of the United
crate In all matters promising ADVANTAGES
to the great family Of American
Wealths. '
Death Of Victoria.
The death of Queen Victoria caused
deep sorrow. When President Mckinley
died our nation in turn received from ev-
cry Quarter Of the British empire express
sions Of grief and sympathy. The death
Of the Empress Dawager Frederick Of
Germany also aroused the sympathy Of
the American people; and this sympathy
was cordially ,reciprocated by Germany
when the president was assassjnated. In
deed, from every quarter of the civilized
presidents death, assurances Of such grief
and regard as to touch the hearts OF our
people. In the midst Of our affiction we
reverently thank the Almighty that we
are at peace with the nations of mankind:
and we firmly intend hat our policy shall
be such as. to continue unbroken these In.
ternational relations Of mutual respect
and good will. Theodore Roosevelt.
White House, December 3. 1901.