Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1901-12-06

those who saved the union. They did the
one deed which II left undono would have
meant that all else In our history went for
nothing. But for their steadfast prowess In
the greatest crisis OF our history, all our
annals would DO meaningless, and our great
experiment In popular freedom and self gov
eminent q gloomy failure. Moreover. they
not only left us a united nation, but they Left
us also as a heritage the memory Of the
mighty deeds by which the nation was kept
united. We are now indeed one nation. one
in fact as well as In name: we are united
in our devotion to the nag which is the sym:
Dol OF all national greatness and unity; ana
the very completeness OF our union enables
US ALL In every part Of the country. to glory
In the valor shown alike by the sons OF the
North and the sons OF the South In the
times that tried mems souls.
Merit system Endorsed.
1.-THE merit system of making appointments
Is In its essence as democratic and American
as the common schools system itself. II sim
ply means that In clerical and other positions
where the duties are entirely non -polticai;
all applicants should have fair held and
no favor, each standing on his merits as he
Is able to show them by practical test Writ
ten competitive examinations offer the only
available means In many cases for applying
borers are employed. q system Of registra-
ton undoubtedly can be widely extended.
There are, Of course, places where the writ
ten competitive examination sI cannot nm Dc sp-
an ideal solution, but where under existing
political conditions 1t is. though an imperfect
means, yet the best present means Of get
ting satisfactory results
1T is important to have this system OBJ
tain at home but 1t is even more important
to have 1t applied rigidly In our insular pos
sessions. The administration Of these Islands
Of partisan politics as the administration OF
the army and navy. All that We ask from
the public servant In the Philippines or Porto
Rico Is that he reflect honor on his country
by the way In which he makes that coun-
try's rule a benefit to the peoples who have
come under II. This Is all that we should
ask. and we cannot afford to be content with
less"
Treatment of Indians.
The message points out the defects in our
present consular service, and recommends the
passage of bills now before Congress that
will Increase its efficiency. OF the Indian
problem It says
SIN my Judgment the time has arrived
when we should definitely make up our minds
to recognize the Indian as an Individual ana
not as a member Of tribe The General
Allotment Act is a mighty pulveriZng engine
to break up the tribal mass. 1t acts direct
ly upon the family Of the indyiduai' ,n vnaes
have already become citizens OF the United
States. We should now break up the tribal
funds, doing for them what allotment does
for the tribal lands; that is, they should DO
divided into individual holdings. stop
should be put upon the indiscriminate per-
MISSION 70 inuauS ~ tnadnn 70 maLe the
Inc eHort sI ,' 10 othar nav On bis own
lndlah w0rA IKE any o' im,, ma 20 tho Indian.
shouid ha mada The same as those of the
whites.
things are more important than to preserve
them from the terrible physical and moral
degradation resulting from the liquor traf-
fic We are doing all we can to save our own
Indian tribes from this evil. Wherever By
international agreement this same end can be
attained as regards races where we DO not
possess exclusive control, every effort should
az besneak the most cordial support from
the Congress and the people for the st. Louis
Exposition to Commemorate the One Hun
dredth Anniversary of the Louisiana Pur-
chase This nurchase was the greatest in
stance Of expansion in our history. 1t def
initeIv decided that we were to become
great continental republic by far the fore
most mower in the Western Hemisphere. The
natjopal government should be represented
at the exposition by \ full and complete SET
Of exhibits
..Tbe people of Charleston, with great en-
orgy and civic shirt. are carrying on an ex-
nosit,on which will continue throughout most
70 The nreaent session of the Congress.
heartily commend this exposition to the COCO
couragement that can be given 1t.
"For the sake Of good administration. SOUND
economy. and the advancement Oh scienoe si ' hs
mado permanent government bureau. This
n,or,d insure better cheaper and more sat-
$500 work in the interest not only Of
nmr BUSINESS hut of statistic, economic and
oon,ai science
'o''"'
Growth of Postal Service.
1.-THE remarkable growth OF the Pos.a. ..
vice is shown In the lact ina. es . ru'r nasr.
have doubled and us expenul.ufesI ~, nrosrs..
y doubled within Twelve years. ,tI s prcsses-
sive development compels sons SO h,,s,nass sn.
ing outlay but IN THIS perlou y, uus .o n,,ch
ergy and prosperity us receip's 81" V.I A.
faster than It's expenses tnat ,n s AMI" en- ~
felt has been steadily reduced rom 1880,
779 in 1897 to s3,923,'2i IN Isol. Alions .i 80.
postal advances the success y. rua, %
delivery wherever estapIsneo mas oesu o.,
marked. and actual experiences mas ma a.. ~ ~
benefits so plain, that the oetnano LUZ II"
tension is general and urgent. ,.,-
ut is Just that the great asrleusu, . KY ~.
lation should share IN the lmpIovemeh. y, ".
service. the numper OF ruIai ivuees h,~.aA
operation is 6,Oo9, practicaiIy al ooa sn,,
within three years, ana mere are o,Otv 1p X,
cations awaiting action. ~ ls eApee.eu 10.
the number In operation at inc e. cioS1 y, III
current fiscal year Will reach o'ovv ny ~
will then be daily carried TO tne ooors ..
5,700 900 OF our people VINO nave here.oioIs
been dependent upon distant omces. anu ShH
third of all that portion OF the country WHEEL
ic I'D la