Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-07

reserves are at present unsatisfa ctory, being divided between three bureaus of two departments. It is therefore rec commended that all matters pertaining to forest reserves, except those involv- ing or pertaining to land titles, be con solidated in the bureau of forestry of the department of agriculture.
 The cotton growing states have re- gently been invaded by a weevil that has done much damage and threatens the entire cotton industry I suggest to the congress the prompt enactment of such remedial legislation as it's 5udg- ment may approve.
 In granting patents to foreigners the proper course for this country to follow is to give the same advantages to for eigners here that the countries in which these foreigners dwell extend in return to our citizens-that is, to extend the benefits of our patent laws on inyen- hons and the like where in return the articles would be patentable in the for eign countries concerned where an American could get corresponding patent in such countries.
 INDIAN AFFAIRS.
 The Indian agents should not be de- pendent for their appointment or ten ure of, office upon considerations of par tisan politics. The practice of appoint ing when possible ex-army officers or bonded superintendents to the vacan- cies that occur is working well. At tention is invited to the widespread H. literacy due to lack of public schools in the Indian Territory. Prompt heed should be paid to the need of education for the children in this territory.
 In my last annual message the at- tention of the congress was called to the necessity of enlarging the safety appli- ance law, and it is gratifying to note that this law was amended in impor- tant respects. With the increasing rail, way mileage of the country, the greater number of men employed and the use of. larger and heavier equipment the urgency for renewed effort to prevent the loss of life and limb upon the rail- roads of the country, particularly to employees, is apparent. For the in spectfpn of water craft and the life sav- ing service upon the water the con- gross has built up an elaborate body of protective legislation and thorough method Aof inspection and is annually spending large sums of money. It is encouraging to observe that the con- gross is alive to the interests of those who are employed upon our wonder full arteries. of commerce, the railroads, rFaSM %rANx %psnY1 sengers and billions of tons of freight. The federal inspection of safety ap- pliances, for which the congress is now making appropriations, is service analogous to that which the govern ment has upheld for generations in re- gard to vessels and it is believed will prove or great practlcai benefit both to railroad employees and the travelling public. As the greater part of com merce is interstate and exclusively un- der the control of the congress the needed safety and uniformity must be secured by national legislation.
 No other class of our citizens de- serves so we'll of the nations as those to whom the nation owes it's very being, the veterans of the civil war. Special attention is asked to the excellent work of the pension bureau in expediting and disposing of pension claims. During the fiscal year ending July 1, 1903, the bureau settled 1882 claims, an aver age of 825 claims for each working day of the year. The number of settlements since July 1, 1903, has been in excess of last years average, approaching 1000 claims for each working day, and it is believed that the work of the bu- reau will be current at the close of the present fiscal year.
 EXTENSION OF CIVIL SERVICE
 RULES.
 During the year ended June 30 last 25,566 persons were appointed through competitive examinations under the civil service rules. This was 12,672 more than during the preceding year and 40 per cent of those who passed the examinations. This abnormal growth was largely occasioned by the extension of classification to the rural free delivery service and the appoint ment last year of over 5000 rural car riers. A revision of the civil service rules took effect on April 15 last which has greatly improved their operation. The completion of the reform of the civil service. is recognized by good citi- zens everywhere as matter of the highest public importance, and the sue cess of the merit system largely de- bends upon the effectiveness of the rules and the machinery provided for their enforcement. A very gratifying spirit of friendly cooperation exists in all the departments of the government in the enforcement and uniform ob- servance of both the letter and spirit of the civil service act, Executive or ders of July B. 1902: March 26, 1908, and, July 8, 1903, require that appoint ments of all unclassified laborers, both in the departments at Washington and in the field service, shall be made with the assistance of the United States civil service commission under sys- tenn, of registration to test the relative fitness of applicants for appointment or employment This system is com