Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-12-10

Roosevelt cares more for the stage and
generally sees the play to the end Among
the cabinet officers Attorney General
Knox is the most regular attendant. In
fact he and Mrs. Knox are quite con-
firmed "frst-nighters Lyman ]. Gage
and Mr.. Vanderlip used to 90 to every
thing when they We're in Washington.
Senator Hanna contributes regularly to
the box office, as do Senator Beyeridge
and Senator Lodge. But the best pat
rons are the diplomatic corps and the
set which train with the Countess Cas-
sini. When in the city the Letters go to
everything that is good. and the De ISo-
yens have box for the season.
-.
The mania for illustrations has taken
such a firm hold upon the government
officials who get up annual and other pc
riodic reports that the powers have beer
compelled to call halt. Half-tone pho
tographs have been inserted in almost
everything in the line of report until
they threaten to become illustrated mag
azines. In the Department of Agricul-
ture a rule has been issued that ONLY
illustrations which are absolutely nec's-
sary to illuminate the text shall be per-
Initted. The War Department has be-
come so voluminous with its pictures and
language that it takes ten large volumes
of 1000 pages each to compass the an
nual history and recommendations. Books
on forestry, irrigation and other special
lines of research are being illustrated
most extravagantly, some of them being
on fine glazed paper. with wide margins
and all but de luxe bindings.
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The nineteenth annual report of the
United States civil service commission
announces progress in the competitive
system, including rural free delivery,
portion of the field services of the War
Department, the census Office permanent
employees and the employees appointed be-
cause of Increased work during the war
with Spain. OF 66,029 persons examin-
ed, 14,9S3 received appointments, rein
statements or transfer, a large increase
over any preceding year. Legislation APP
plying the merit system to the District
of Columbia is recommended.
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The annual report of the general land
Office shows that 10, LASS, $50 acres of pub
lie lands were disposed of during the
year, an increase of nearly 100000
acres over last year. An increase of
100000 acres of forest reserves is
noted and the withdrawal and proper po-
Icing of the forested lands during the
year is shown to have made the work
self-supporting and means of revenue.
Besides this, it has placed needed timber
supplies within lawful reach of the pub
lie. Great progress ia reforestation is
reported.
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The annual report of Gen. A. w.
Greedy, chief of the army signal corps,
says that 1,121 miles of land lines and
submarine cables have been put into OPP
Grafton in Alaska during the last two
years Considering the nature of the
country and its remoteness, this is said
to be phenomenal. improvements in
Cuba consist of a system of $500 miles,
connecting all points of Importance. Total
miles in Philippines~is 1926 submarine
cables and 5,108 of land lines.
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Admiral Taylor of the bureau of navi-
cation says in his annual report that the
navy is in need of 1850 more officers,
and, as the graduates from the naval
academies do not fill the demand. recon-
mends an increase of one midshipman
for each Congressman and Senator, one
from the District of Columbia and ten
annually at large. The officers on our
battleships average II, as compared to
80 in England, &c in France and 20 in
Germany.
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In his annual report Secretary of War
Root recommends the following: The re-
establishment of the army canteen: co;I-
solidation of the supply departments of
the army; general staff; the organiza
ton of State troops as second line of
defense; more liberal appropriations for
the training of militia in the field with
regular soldiers, and the establishment of
camps of instruction in the North, South,
East and West.
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An improved musket has been adopted
uv the army, which. though weighing
only nine and a half pounds, considerably
| less than the German and Mauser, has
greater velocity and penetration. The
rod bayonet is one advantageous feature.
| 1t lightens the weight of the gun and
! dispenses with the bayonet and scabhard.
| in place of which intrenching tools may
be carried by the soldier.
Admiral Dewey, who is to be in charge
ers, has decided to give the men as mans
/ holidays as possible to compensate fce
| tic hard work of the summer and -
make them anxious TO please. The sqraG-
rons will scatter at Christmas, for in
/ stance. and go TO convenient i2stS, "a
/ men to be given weeks holiday.
| -:
The Navy Department issued an order
! to the Naval Academy at Annapolis re-
| ducing the usual four-year course to three
! years The change. which was made re-
/ cause of the pressing need of naval or
/ GERS, went into eject Immediately. This
| plan does not shorten the length of 81
vice of mIdshipman, which has always
! been six years.
An official report from Robert Watch
orn. government inspector. was made
public at Washington which discloses
scheme by which certain steamship
| lines are securing Europe for ineligible
emigrsnts, taking them to Canada in
order tlat they may thus get into the
! United States Illegally.
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Figures by she treasury bureau Of sta
| tisties show the total exports for Septem-
her. 1902. to be $115. ,9S4, the largest
ever shown for this month with the one
exception of September. 1900 when the
high water mark was 100000 more.
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The United States Navy Department