Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-12-10


ped. The fisheries, II wisely handled
and kept under national control. viii
be business as permanent as any
other, and of the utmost Importance
to the people. The forests II properly
guarded viii form another great
source of wealth. Portions OF Alaska
are htted Tor farming and stock rails
ing. although the methods must be
adapted to the peculiar conditions OF
The country. Alaska is situated in the
lar Norm. but SO are Norway and
sweden and Finland. and Alaska can
prosper and play ils part in the New
Word just as those nations have pros
pered and played their parts In the
Old World Proper land laws should
ue enacted; and the survey OF the pub
lie lands Immediately begun. Coal
and laws should be provided whereby
lie coal land entryman may make his
location and secure patent under
methods kindred 10 those now pre-
icriLed for homestead and mineral
,ulrymen. Salmon hatcheries, eXclu
siyeiy under government control,
mould be established. The cable
should be extended from Sitka west
ward. Wagon roads and trails should
nc built, and the budding Of railroads
promoted in all legitimate ways.
Lighthouses should be built along the
.oast Attention should be paid 10 the
needs OF the Alaska Indians; provis-
,on should be made Tor an ohicer. with
leputes, TO study their needs, re-
ieve their immediate wants. and help
them adapt themselves to the new con
iitions
Alaskan Salmon Fisheries.
The commission appointed TO inves-
gate, curing the season OF 1908. the
ondition and needs OF the Alaskan
salmon fisheries, has finished It's work
u The field, and is preparing detail
cd report thereon. A preliminary re
port reciting the measures Immediate
required Tor the protection ana pre-
,ervatiun OF the salmon industry has
,lready been submitted to the secre-
AIRY OF commerce and labor for his
attention and for the needed action.
Hawaii.
recommend that an appropriation
0e made Tor building lighthouses in
Hawaii. and taking possession OF those
iIready buil.. The Territory should
Ne reimbursed for whatever amounts
Il has aIreldy expended for light
1ouses. The governor should be en-
covered to suspend or remoye any oiii-
ial appointed by him, without sub
hitting the matter to the legislature.
The Philippines and Porto Rico.
OF our insuar possessions the
Philippines and Porto Rico 1t is graft
wing TO say that their steady progress
tas been such as to make II unneces-
,ary TO spend much time In discussing
hem Yet the congress should ever
oeep In mind that peculiar obliga-
ION rests upon us to further In every
@ay the welfare OF these communi-
Ies. The Philippines should be knit
loser to us by tariff arrangements.
| would, ol course, be impossible sud
lenly to raise the people of the islands
% the high pitch of Industrial pros
Jerity and OF governmental efficiency
which they will in the end by de
,rees attain. and the caution and
moderation shown in developing them
ave been among the main reasons
Why this development has hitherto
,une on so smoothly. Scrupulous care
,as been taken in the choice of gov
rnmental agents, and the entire elm
nation OF partisan politics from the
iublic service. The condition of the
ISLANDERS is in material things far bet
er than ever before, while their gov
,rnmental. intellectual and moral ad-
yance has kept pace with their ma
erial advance. No one people ever
benefited another people more than
We have benefited the Filipinos by TAX
ng possession OF the islands.
Receipts OF General Land Office.
The cash receipts of The general
and office for the last fiscal year We're
d1,0gi, 1896. an increase OF S4,762,-
,1G47 over the preceding year. OF
his sum. approximately, SS,4Gl, ABB
viii go to the credit OF the fund for
he reclamation of arid land. making
he total of this fund, up TO the 30th
II June, 1908, approximately, $16,l91,-
1876.
removal OF FENCES SApout OH'd"id'
Enclosures of Public Lands.
A gratifying disposition has been
WINGED by those having unlawful in
closures of public land to remove their
ences. Nearly two million acres sc
ncosed have been thrown open on
lemand. In but comparatively lew
ases has ii heen necessary to go into
,ourt TO accomplish this purpose. This
work will be vigorously prosecuted
ntil all uni full Enclosures have been
,emoved
Necessity fc 'evision of Public Land
Laws.
Experience has shown that In the
western states themselves, as well as
n the rest OF the country, there is
widespread conviction thar certain OF
he public land laws and the resulting
administrative practice no longer
meet the present needs The charac-
er and uses OF the remaining public
,ands differ widely from those OF the
public lands which congress had es
1ecially in view when these laws were
'lssed, The rapidly increasing rate
disposal of the public lands is not
oil ed by corresponding increase
II home building. There Is n tenden