Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-12-12

the people of the islands to the high |
pitch of industrial prosperity and Of I
governmental efficiency TO which they
viii 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. |
Serupnlous care has been taken In the |
choice Of governmental agents and the |
entire elimination of partisan politics |
from the public service. The condition |
OF the islanders IL 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.
PRESENTATION 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 the disposal OF public lands.
~The study 81 the opportunities OF
reclamation at the vast extent az arid
land shows that whether this reclama'
ton is done uy Individuals. corpora
lions or the state. tie sources Of water
supply must ba effectively protected
and the RESERVOIRS guArifd ~ the pres
ervation Of the forests nj the head
waters of the streams, The necessity
| for perpetuating our forest resources
whether ia public or private hands, is
| recognized now as 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 wcevil that
has done much damage and threatens
| the entire cotton Industry. | suggest
to the congress the prompt enactment
of such remedial Legislation as its iudg-
ment may approve.
| No other class OF our citizens de-
serves SO wen of the nation as those
to whom The nation owes its very be-
ling, the veterans of the civil war. Spe-
4 &ldl aIlcutiUu rs dSkt0 W tAt EANSiitnt
work OF the pension bureau in expedite
ing and disposing of pension claims.
During the fiscal year ending July !,
1908, the bureau settled 251, 9S2 claims,
an average Of 800 claims for each
working day Of the year. The number
Of settlements since July /, 1908, has
bean 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
$50 persons were appointed through
competitive examinations under the
s.cfvil service rules. This was 12,G72
3more than during the preceding year
hand 40 per cent of those who passed
fthe examinations This abnormal
3growth was largely occasioned by the
textension of classification to the rural
free delivery service and the appoint
i ment last year OF over 5000 rural car
4 riers A revision of the civil service
\ rules took effect ON April Is last, which
Il has greatly improved their operation.
The completion OF the reform of the
civil service is recognized by good citi-
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
n the machinery provided for their en-
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
service act.
THE ARMY AND NAVY.
The effect OF the laws providing a
lgeneral 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
sof our army In recent years. Such
schools as those erected at Fort Leav-
senworth and Fort Riley and the insti-
tuition of fall maneuyer work accom-
lplish satisfactory results. The good eff
Eject of these maneuvers upon the ma
Iaional 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
maneuyers in the various sections OF
the country.
l heartily congratulate the congress
upon the steady progress IN building
up the American navy. We cannot
afford let-up in this great work. 10
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- |
tons akin TO those of actual warfare.
Our officers and enlisted men are learn |