The Morris County chronicle., 1903-12-11

and privileges Of diplomatic and con
sular officers, but also for an important
extension of our commerce by increas-
ed facility of access to Chinese ports
and for the relief Of trade by the re-
moval of some Of the obstacles which
have embarrassed it in the past
trust that the congress will con
tinue to favor in all proper ways the
Louisiana Purchase exposition. This
exposition commentaries the I.ouisi-
ana purchase, which was the first great
step in the expansion which made us
continental nation. The expedition of
Lewis and Clark across the continent
followed thereon and marked the be-
ginning of the process Of exploration
and colonization which thrust our ma
tional boundaries to the Pacific
The acquisition Of the Oregon coun-
try, including the present states Of
Oregon and Washington. was fact Of
immense importance in our history
first giving us our place on the Pacific
seaboard and making ready the way
for our ascendency in the commerce
of the greatest Of the oceans. Tie CEN
tenniaI of our establishment upon the
western coast BY the expedition Of
Lewis and Clark is to be celebrated at
Portland. Gre, by an exposition in the
summer of 1905, and This event should
receive recognition and support from
the national government
Development OF AlasIa.
/ call your special attention to the
territory Of Alaska The country is
developing rapidly, and it has an as
sured future. The mineral wealth is
great and has as yet hardly been tap
ped. The fisheries, if wisely handled
and kept under national control, will
be a business as permanent as any 9th
er and of the utmost Importance to the
people The forests, if properly guard
ed. 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
| Proper land laws should be enacted
and the survey of the public lands inn
mediately begun. Coal land laws
should be provided whereby the coal
land entryman may make his location
and secure patent under methods kim
dred 10 those now prescribed for homo
stead and mineral entrymen Salmon
hatcheries. exclusively under govern
ment CONTROL should be established
The cable should be extended froa
Sitka westward. Wagon roads and
trails should be built and the building
of railroads promoted in all legitimate
ways. Lighthouses should be built
along the coast. Attention should be
paid to the needs Of the Alaska lii
dians. Provision should be made for
an officer, with deputies. 10 study thelr
J needs. relieve their immediate wants
and help them adapt themselves to tlie
new conditions.
I I recommend that an appropriation
be made for building lighthouses in
Hawaii and taking possession of those
already built The territory should be
reimbursed for whatever amounts it
has already expended for lighthouses.
The governor should be empowered to
suspend or remove any official appoint
ed by him. without submitting the
| matter to the legislature.
The Philippines and Porto Rico.
OF our lnsular possessions, the Philip
pines and Porto Rico, it is gratifying
to say that their steady progress has
been such as to make it unnecessary
to spend much time in discussing them
Yet the congress should ever keep in
mind that a peculiar obligation rests
! IN ft1pf bop in,
welfare of these communities. The
Philippines should be knit closer to us
by tariff arrangements. 1t would, of
course, be impossible suddenly to raise
the people of the islands to the high
pitch of industrial prosperity and of
governmental efficiency to which they
will 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 gene on so smoothly
Scrupulous 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 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 the 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 he effectively protected
I 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 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 weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry | suggest