The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1903-12-10

4
clerks engaged in the postal service, es
pecially on the new rural free-deliver
] routes. Mere routes have been Unstable
since the first OF July last than in an
IKE period in the departments history
While due regard to economy must
Kept In mind in the establishment of neN
routes. yet the extension Of the rura
free-delivery system must be continued
for reasons Of sound public policy. N
governmental movement Of recent year
mas resulted in greater immediate benefi
70 the people of the country districts
with the telephone. the bicycle, and tn
trolley, accomplishes much toward les
sening the. isolation of farm life an,
making II brighter and more attractive
International Expeditions.
I trust that the congress viii continu,
70 favor In all proper ways the Louisiana
! purchase exposition. This exposition com.
memorates the Louisiana purchase, which
was the first great step in the expansion
| winch made US continental nation. The
I expedition Of Lewis and Clark across the
continent followed thereon, and marked
me beginning Of the process Of exploration
ana colonization which thrust our nationa
boundaries to the Pacific. The acquisition
OF the Oregon country, including the pres.
ent states OF Oregon and Washington, was
TACT OF immense Importance in our his
tory; frst giving us our place on the Pa
cine seaboard, and making ready the way
ior our ascendency In the commerce of the
greatest Of the oceans. The centennial OF
by the expedition OF Lewis and Clark is
10 be celebrated at Portland Ore, by an
exposition expos In the summer Of 1905. and this
port from the national government.
Our Insular Possessions.
recommend that an appropriation be
made for building lighthouses In Hawaii
and taking possession. OF those already
built The territory should be reim-
bursed for whatever amounts 1t has al
ready expended for lighthouses. The
governor should be empowered to sus-
pend or remove any official appointed by
him.. without submitting the matter to
OF our insular possessions the Philip
pines and Porto Rico it is gratifying to
say that their steady progress has been
such as s,I to make ,l It unnecessary to spend
congress should ever keep in mind that
peculiar obligation rests upon us to
further in every way the welfare of
should be knit closer to us by tariff ar
raagements. 1t would, of course, be i'm
possible 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 devel-
opment has hitherto gone on so smooth
ly. Scrupulous care has been taken in
the choice Of governmental agents, and
the entire elimination Of partisan politics
of the islanders Is in material things far
better than ever before, while their gov
ornamental, intellectual and moral ad-
vance has kept pace with their material
advance. No one people ever benefited
another people more than we have bene-
fitted the Filipinos by taking possession
of the islands.
The Public Lands.
A gratifying disposition has been
evinced by those having unlawful in
fences. Nearly 100000 acres so in
closed have been thrown open on demand.
In but comparatively few cases has 1t
seen ts TO 60 Phs work. win Vi
vigorously prosecuted until all unlawful
Enclosures have been removed.
Experience has shown that in the west
rest of the country, there is widespread
conviction that certain of the public land
laws and the resulting administrative
practice no longer meet the present needs.
The character and uses of the remaining
public lands differ widely from those of
the public lands which congress had es-
pecially in view when these laws were
passed. The rapidly increasing rate Of
disposal of the public lands is not fol-
lowed by a corresponding increase in
home building. There is a tendency to
mass in large holdings public lands, es,,
pecially timber and grazing lands. and
thereby to retard settlement I renew
and emphasize my recommendation of
last year that so far as they are available
to whatever extent they may be re-
claimed under the national irrigation law,
the remaining public lands should be held
rigfdly for the home builder. The atten-
ton Of the congress Is especially direct
ed to the timber and stone law, the
desert-land law. and the communication
clause of the homestead law. which in
their operation have in many respects
confiicted with wise public-land policy.
The discussions in the congress and else
where have made it evident that there is
a wide divergence of opinions between
subjects: and that the opposing sides
have strong and convinced representa-
tives of weight both within and without
the congress; the differences being not
only as to matters of opinion but, as to
matters of fact. In order that definite
information may be available for the use
Of the congress, ! have appointed a com
commissioner of the general land office;
Clifford Pinchot, clSef of the bureau of
forestry of the department of agricul-
ture, and F. II. Newell, chief hydrogra-
pher of the geological survey, to report
at the earliest practicable moment upon
the condition, operation and erect OF the
present land laws and on the use, con-
dition, disposal and settlement of the
public lands. The commission will report
especially what changes in organization
laws, regulations and practice affecting
the pubic JANUS are uCCuSu " SlLSSb
largest practicable disposition of the pub
lie lands to actual settlers who will build
permanent homes upon them, and to Sc
cure in permanence the fullest and most
effective use of the resources OF the pub
lie lands; and 1t will make such other
reports and recommendation as Its
study Of these questions may suggest
The commission is to report immediate
ly upon those points concerning which
its judgment is clear: on any point upon
which it has doubt 1t will take the time
necessary to make investigation and
reach final judgment
The Army and Navy.
The effect of the laws providing a gen
eral staff for the army and for the more
effective use of the national guard has
been excellent. Great Improvement has
been made in the efficiency of our army
in recent years. Such schools as those
erected at Fort Leavenworth and For
Riley and the institution Of fall maneuvel
work accomplish satisfactory results
The good effect of these maneuvers upor
the national guard Is marked, and ample
appropriation should be made to enable
the guardsmen of the several states Il
share in the benefit. The government
should as soon as possible secure suitable
permanent camp sites for military man
euvers In the various sections OF the
country. The service thereby rendered
not only to the regular army, but to the
national guard of the several states. will
be so great as to repay many times ovel
the relatively small expense. We should
not rest satisfied with what has beer
done. however; The only people who are