Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-12-06

the President commerds the action of
the past session of Congress. and
makes further recommendation that
the great work be undertaken as early
as practicable.
Arbitration between the United
States and the foreign powers is re-
commended where possible.
The army has been reduced to the
minimum allowed by law. 1t Is small
for so large nation. We can take
pride in both our officers and enlisted
men.
II is urged that the necessary ap-
preparations be made for the con
tinuance of the naval manoeuvres.
Also. that the necessary officers
should be provided for the proper
oversight of the enlisted men.
CIVIL SERVICE.
Gratifying progress has been made
during the year in the extension of the
merit system of making appointments
in the Government service. 1t should
be extended by law to the District CT
Columbia 1t is much to be desired
that our consular system be establish
ed by law on a basis providing for ap
pointment and promotion only in con-
sequence OF proved fitness.
IRRIGATION.
The message suggests the reclama-
ton of the arid lands by irrigation and
also the protection of game.
PORTO RICO.
OF Porto Rico it is only necessary
To say that the prosperity of the island
and the wisdom with which it has
been governed have been such as to
make it serve as an example Of all
that is best in insular administration.
In dealing with the Indians our aim
should be to absorb them into the
body polite. A large amount of educa-
t;onal work must be done among
them.
Continuing the President argues
that irrigated land should provide the
former with never failing source
Of revenue.
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
The President recommends special
care for the Smithsonian Institution.
and commends its good work.
DISTRICT OF COLOMBIA.
number OF recommendations FOL-
low concerning the proper government
of the district.
RAILWAY EMPLOYEES.
The recommendation for the ell
actment of laws for the protection OF
railwae employees is concise and
pointed.
THE POSTAL DEPARTMENT.
The striking increase in the revenues
of the Post-Ofice Department shows
clearly the prosperity of our people and
the increasing activity of the business
of the country.
The receipts of the Post-Ofice De-
partment for the fiscal year ending
June 30 last amounted to $l2l, S4S. 047.
26. an increase OF $l0.216.S53.S7 over
the preceding year. the largest increase
known in the history of the postal SER
vice. The magnitude of this increase
will best appear from che fact that the
entire postal receipts for the year 1860
amounted to but sS.51S,vt7.
Rural free-delivery service is no
longer in the experimental stage; it
has become a fixed policy. The results
following its introduction have fully
justified the Congress in the large ap-
propriations made for its establish
ment and extension. The average
yearly increase in post-office receipts
in The rural districts of the country IS
about two per cent. We are now able.
by actual results. to show that where
rural free-delivery service has been es-
tabiished to such an extent as to en-
able us to make comparisons the year
ly increase has been upward of ten per
cent.
On November l. 1902, 1850 rural
free-delivery routes had been estab-
lished and were in operation. covering
about one-third of the territory or the
United Stetes available for rural free
delivery service. There are now
awaiting the action of the Department
petitions and applications for the es-
adjustment of 10.74S additional routes.
This shows conclusively the want
which the establishment of the service
has met and the need of further ex-
tending it as rapidly as possible. 1t is
justified both by the financial results
and by the practical benefits to our
rural population; it brings the men
who live on the soil into close rela-
tons with the active business world;
il keeps the farmer in daily touch with
the markets; it Is a potential educa-
tional force: it enhances the value of
farm property. makes farm life far
pleasanter and less isolated. and will
do much TO check the undesirable cur
rent from country to city.
Ii is to be hoped that the Congress
will make liberal appropriations for
the continuance Of the service already
established and for it's further extern
sion.
The President commends the action
OF the last Congress on the great i'm
provement made in the White House.
The message is urgent in encour-
aging scientific farming, and farmers
given every advantage to improved
methods of farming
CONCLUSION.
The reports of the several Executive
Departments are submitted to the Con-
gress with this comm lication.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House,