Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-12-11
SU PPLE MI r M It.

result of long discussion and negotia-
ton, places our commercial relations
with the great Oriental Empire on a
more satisfactory footing than they
have ever heretofore enjoyed. II pro-
vides not only for the ordinary rights
and privileges OF diplomatic and con-
sular officers. but also for an impor-
tant extension Of our commerce by in
creased facility OF access 10 Chinese
ports. and for the relief OF trade by the
removal of some OF the obstacles which
have embarrassed il in the past.
| call your attention TO the reduced
cost in maintaining the consular ser
vice for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1903, as shown in the annual report OF
the Auditor for the State and other
Departments. as compared with the
year previous. For the year under con-
sideration the excess OF expenditures
royer receipts on account OF the con-
sular service amounted 10 s26. l2512
as against sS6 .972 80 for the year end
ing June 80. l9c2. and sl47 ,0iO.l6
fol the year ending June 80, 1901. This
is the best showing in this respect for
the consular service for the past four
teen years, and the reduction in the
cost OF the service to the Government
has been made in spite of the fact that
the expenditures for the year in ques-
ton were more than $4,000 greater
! than for the previous year.
Rural Free Delivery.
The rural free-delivery service has
/ been steadily extended. The attention
/ o. the Congress is asked TO the ques-
! ton of the compensation OF the letter
| carriers and clerks engaged in the pos
I tai service, especially on the new rural
/ fTee-delivery routes. More routes have
! been installed since the first OF July
last than in any like period in the De
partment. While a due regard to econ
omy must be kept in mind in the es-
| adjustment of new routes, yet the eX-
! tension OF the rural free-delivery sys-
TEN must be continued. for reasons oil
sound public policy No governmental
| movement OF recent years has resulted
| in greater immediate benefit TO the
people of the country districts. Rura.
! free delivery. taken In connection with
/ the telephone. the bicycle, and the troll
/ ley. accomplishes much toward lessen
| ing the isolation of farm life and max
| ing ii brighter and more attractive.
| Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
trust that the Congress will con.
tinue to favor in all proper ways the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition. This
| Exposition commentaries the Louisi-
| ana purchase. which was the first great
step in the expansion which made us a
continental nation. The expedition OF
Lewis and Clark across the continent
| followed thereon, and marked the be-
ginning of the process of exploration
and colonization which thrust our ma
tional boundaries 10 the Pacific The
acquisition Of the Oregon country, in
Guiding the present States of Oregon
and Washington, was a fact of i'm
mense Importance in our history; first
giving us our place on the Pacific sea
| board and making ready the way for
our ascendency in the commerce Of the
greatest of the oceans. The centennial
/ OF our establishment upon the western
coast by the expedition of Lewis and
Clark Is to be celebrated at Portland
Oregon, by an exposition in the sum-
mer of 1905, and this event should re-
ceiye recognition and support from
the National Government,
F0'CiSN FoSScSslSHos
1t Is urged that we do all we can ia
help Hawaii by constructing light
houses and helping to build up the
commercial interests of the islands.
OF our insular possessions the Philip
pines and Porto Rico it is gratifying
to say that their steady progress has
been such as to make it unnecessary tG
spend much time in discussing them
Yet the Congress should ever keep In
mind that peculiar obligation rests
upon us to further In every way the
welfare of these communities, The
! Philippines should be knit closer to us
by tariff arrangements. 1t would, OF
course, be impossible suddenly to raise
the people of the islands TO the high
pitch of industrial prosperity and OF
governmental efficiency to which they
will in the end by degrees attain; and
the caution and moderation shown In
developing them have been among the
main reasons why this development
has hitherto gone on so smoothly
Scrupulous care has been taken in the
choice of governmental agents, and
the entire elimination OF partisan poll
tics from the public service, The con-
dition of the islanders is in matera
things far better than ever before, while
their governmental. intellectual. anC
! moral advances has kept pace with
their material advance. No one people
ever benefited another people more
than we have benefited the Filipino:
by taking possession fthe islands.
Public Land Laws.
Tho zach ranaiptc oe +bo Coporo
Land Office for the last fiscal year were
81 ,024, 1885. an increase of S4762..
Sl6.47 over the preceding year. or thi:
sum, approximately, $S,461, 493 will &c
to the credit of the fund for the re-
clamation of arid land, making the
total of this fund, up to the 30th O
June, 1903, approximately. SIC, 191 1886
A gratifying disposition has beer
evinced by those having unlawful in
closures of public land to remove theil
fences. Nearly two million acres so in
closed have been thrown open on de
mand In but comparatively few case!
has it been necessary to go into cour
to accomplish this purpose. This worl
will be vigorously prosecuted until al
unlawful Enclosures have been re
moved
Our public land laws need revision
sadly, A great deal of fraud has crep
into their administration, and scandal!
are common 1t is urged that they b,
thoroughly revised,
Cotton Weevil.
The cotton-growing States have re
Gently been invaded by weevil tina
has done much damage and threatens