Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-12-04
For Sale by ]. W. Merritt
Opp. Court House.

municipal In Their Character. he government
should to it. for instance. that the hygienic
and sanitary legislation affecting Washington is
Of high character. The evils of slum dwellings,
whether in the shape of crowded and congested
tenement house districts or of the back alley
type, should never be permitted to grow up in
Washington. The city should be model in every
respect for all the cities of the country The
charitable and correctional systems OF the Dis
trict should receive consideration at the hands Of
the congress to the end that they may embody
the results of the most advanced thought in these
fields. Moreover, while Washington is not great
industrial city, there is some industrialism here,
and our labor legislation, while it would not be
important in itself, might be made model for
the rest OF the nation. We should pass, for in
stance, wise employers liability act for the Dis
trict of Columbia. and We need such act In
navy yards Railroad companies in the Dis
trict ought to be required by law to block their
frogs. s.,.tv .,n,,.,o. law 60, ~. h.+ts- n,o.
lection Of the lives and limbs of railway
ployees, which was passed in 1898, went into full
effect on Aug. l. 1901. 1t has resulted in avert
ing thousands Of casualties. Experience shows,
however, the necessity of additional legislation
to perfect this law bill to provide for this
passed the senate at the last session 1t is to be
hoped that some such measure may be
acted into law.
There is growing tendency to provide for the
publication OF masses Of documents for which
there is no public demand and for the printing of
which there is no real necessity. Large numbers
OF volumes turned out by the government
printing presses for which there is justification.
Nothing should be printed by any Of the depart
ments unless 1t contains something of permanent
value, and the congress could with advantage cut
down very materially all the printing which
1t has become customary to provide. The
excessive cost OF government printing Is strong
argument against the position of those who are
inclined on abstract grounds to advocate the gov
ernment's doing any work which with pro-
priety be left in private hands.
Gratifying progress has been made during the
year in the extension OF the merit system of max
Ing appointments in the government service. It
should be extended by law to the District Of Co.
lumbia. 1t is much to be desired that
sular system be established by law a basis
providing for appointment and promotion only in
consequence Of proved fitness.
Through wise provision of the congress at its
last session the White House. which had becom
disfgured by incongruous additions and changes,
has now been restored to what it was planned to
be by Washington. In making the restorations
near as possible to the early plans and to supple
ment these plans by careful study Of such
buildings that OF the University Of Virginia,
which was built by Jefferson. The White House
is the property Of the nation and SO far as is
compatible with living therein it should be kept
1t originally was. for the same reasons that
we keep Mount Vernon it originally The
stately simplicity OF its architecture is ex-
preston Of the character OF the period In which
It was built and is in accord with the purposes
t was designed to serve. 1t Is a good thing to
preserve such buildings as historic monuments
which keep alive sense of continuity with the
nations past.
The reports Of the several executive depart
ments are submitted to the congress with this
communication. THEODORE ROOSEVELT.