The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1903-12-09

! of tine islanders is in material things
| far better than ever before, while their
governmental, intellectual and moral
advance has kept pace with their ma
terial advance. No one people ever
! benefited another people more than we
have benefited the Filipinos by taking
possession Of the islands
Preservation of Forests.
The work of reclamation of the arid
lands of the west is progressing steadily
and satisfactorily under the terms of
the law setting aside the proceeds
from tile disposal of public lands.
The study of the opportunities of
reclamation of the vast extent of arid
land shows that whether this reclama'
ton is done by individuals, corpora
tiOns or the state, the sources of water
supply must be effectively protected
and the reservoirs guarded by the pres
ervation of the forests at the head
waters of the streams. The necessity
for perpetuating our forest resources,
whether in public or private hands, is
recognized now ms never before. 1t is
recommended that all matters pertain
ing TO forest reserves, except those in
volving or pertaining to land titles, be
consolidated in the bureau Of forestry
Of the department of agriculture.
The cotton growing states have re.
Gently been invaded by weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry. ! suggest
TO the congress the prompt enactment
of such remedial legislation as its judg-
ment may approve.
| No other class of our citizens de-
serves so well of the nation as those
| to whom the nation owes its very be-
ing the veterans of the civil war. Spe'
cial attention is asked to the excellent
work of the pension bureau in eXpedit-
ing and disposing of pension claims,
During the fiscal year ending July |,
1908, the bureau settled 2j1.9S2 claims,
| an average of 800 claims for each
working day of the year The number
of settlements since July /, 1908. has
been in excess of last years average
| approaching 1000 claims for each
working day, and it is believed that
the work of the bureau will be current
at the close of the present fiscal year.
Extension of Civil Service Rules.
During the year ended June 80 last
25,5GG persons We're appointed through
| competitive examinations under the
| civil service rules. This was 12,G12
more than during the preceding year
and 40 per cent of those who passed
| the examinations. This abnormal
growth was largely occaslOned 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 10 last, which
has greatly improved their operation.
| The completion of the reform of the
| civil service is recognized by good citl-
zens everywhere as a matter of the
| highest public Importance, and the sue
cess of the merit system largely depends
| upon the effectiveness of the rules and
the machinery provided for their Ell
forcement. A very gratifying spirit of
| friendly cooperation exists in all the
| departments of the government in the
enforcement and uniform observance
of both the letter and spirit of the civil
sersice act.
The Army and Navy.
general staff for the army and for the
more effective use of the national guard
has been excellent. Great improve
ment has been made in the efficiency
of our army in recent years. Such
schools as those erected at Fort Leav-
enworth and Fort Riley and the insti-
tuition of fall maneuver work accom-
plish satisfactory results. The good eff
feet Of these maneuvers upon the ma
tional guard is marked, and ample APP
preparation should be made to enable
the guardsmen of the several states to
share in the benefit. The government
should as soon as possible secure suit
able permanent camp sites for military
maneuvers in the various sections of
the country
heartily congratulate the congress
upon the steady progress in building
up the American navy We cannot
afford let-up in this great work. TO
stand still means to go back. There
should be no cessation in adding TO the
effective units of the fighting strength
of the fleet. Meanwhile the navy de-
partment and the officers of the navy
are doing well their part by providing
constant service at sea under condi-
tiOns akin to those of actual warfare.
Our officers and enlisted men are learn
ing to handle the battleships, cruisers
and torpedo boats with high efficiency
in fleet and squadron formations, and
the standard of craftsmanship is being
steadily raised. The best work ashore
is Indispensable, but the highest duty
of a naval officer is to exercise COM
mand at sea. 1t is eminently desirable
that naval general staff should be
established.
Isthmian Canal.
BY the act Of June 2S, 1902, the con-
gress authorized the president to enter
into treaty with Colombia for the
building of the canal across the 18TH.
mus of Panama, it being provided that
in the event of failure TO secure such
treaty after the lapse Of a reasonable
time recourse should be had TO build.
ing canal through Nicaragua. 1t has
tentative, rs | am enabled TO lay be.
fore the senate a treaty providing for
the building of the canal across the
isthmus Of Panama. This was the
poIItp which commanded itcnlf to tbn