The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1903-12-10

compensation of the letter carriers and
clerks engaged in the postal service, es-
pecially on the new rural free-dellvery
routes. More routes have been installed
since the first of July last than in any
like period in the department history.
While due regard to economy must be
kept in mind in the establishment of new
routes, yet the extension OF the rural
free-deliVery SySt.m must he continued,
for reasons of sound public policy. No
governmental movement of recent years
has resulted in greater immediate benefit
to the people of the country districts.
Rural free delivery, taken in connection
with the telephone. the bicycle, and the
trolley, accomplishes much toward les
SEEMING the isolation of farm life and
making 1t brighter and more attractive.
In the immediate past the lack of just
such facilities as these has driven many
of the more active and restless young
men and women from the farms to the
cities: for they rebelled at loneliness and
lack OF mental companonship. 1t is un-
healthy and undesirable for the cities to
grow at the expense of the country: and
rural free delivery is not only a good
thing in itself. but is good because it is
one of the causes which check this I'M
wholesome tendency towards the urban
concentration of our population at the
expense of the country districts. 1t is
for the same reason that we sympathize
wi, with ra and approve r of the policy Of build;
roads is one fraught with the greatest
benefit to the country districts
International Expositions.
l trust that the congress will continue
to favor in all proper ways thu Louisiana
Purchase exposition This exposition COM
memorateS the Louisiana 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 beginning of the process of exploration
and colonization which thrust our national
boundaries to the Pacific, The acquisition
OF the Oregon country, including the pres
ent states of Oregon and Washington, was
fact of immense Importance in our his
tory; first giving us our place on the Pa
cific seaboard, 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. Ore, by an
exposition in the summer Of 1905, and this
event should receive recognition and sup
port from the national government.
Development of Alaska.
| call your special attention to the terri
tory o. Alaska. The country is develop
ing rapidly. and it has an assured future
The mineral wealth is great and has as yet
hardly been tapped. The fisheries if wise
Is handled and kept under national con-
troll will be business as permanent as
any other, and Of the utmost Importance
to the people. The forests If properly
guarded will form another great source OF
wealth. Portions of Alaska are fitted for
farming and stock raising, although the
methods must be adapted to the. peculiar
conditions of the country Alaska is sit
uated in the far north; but so are Norway
and Sweden and Finland; and Alaska can
prosper and pay its part in the new world
just as those nations have prospered and
played their parts in the old world. Proper
land laws should be enacted; and the sur
Vey of the pubic lands immed iately begun.
Coal land laws should be provided where
by the coal land entryman may make his
location and secure patent under methods