Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1903-12-07

1T sound puefT policy. No goVernme.i,
tai movement of recent years has re
suited 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
sening The isolation of farm life AMI
making it 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
man and women from the farms to the
cities; for they rebelled at loneliness
and lack of mental companionship. Il
is unhealthy and undesirable for the
cities to grow at the expense OF the
country; and rural free delivery is not
only good thing in itself, but is good
because it is one of the causes which
check this unwholesome tendency to-
wards the urban concentration OF our
population at the expense of the conn
try districts. 1t is for the same reason
that we sympathize with and approve
of the policy of building good roads.
The movement for good roads is one
country districts.
Lewis and Clark Exposition
l trust that the congress will con-
tinue to favor in all proper ways the
Louisiana purchase exposition. This
exposition commentaries the Louisia-
ma purchase, which was the first great
step in the expansion which made us
. AZ axna6itinn
of Lewis and Clark across the conti-
nent followed thereon, and marked the
beginning of the process of exploration
and colonization which thrust our ma
tional boundaries to the Pacific. The
acquisition of the oregon country, in
Guiding the present states of oregon
and Washington. was a fact of i'm
mense 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. The CEN
tenniaI of our establishment upon the
western coast by the expedition of
Lewis and Clark is to be celebrated at
Portland. Oregon, by an exposition in
the summer of 1905, and this event
should receive recognition and support
from the national government.
Development of Alaska
call your special attention to the
territory of Alaska. The country is de-
veloping rapidly. and it has an assured
future. The mineral wealth is great
and has as yet hardly been tapped.
1a, Nd
kept under national control will be
business as permanent as any other,
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
Alaska is situated in the far north;
but SO are Norway and Sweden and
Finland; and Alaska can prosper and
play it's part in the new world just as
those nations have prospered ana
played their parts in the old world.
Proper land laws should be enacted;
and the survey of the public lands i'm
mediately begun. Coal land laws
should be provided whereby the coal
land entryman may make his location
and secure patent under methods kim
bred to, those now prescribed for home
stead and mineral entrymen. Salmon
hatcheries, exclusively under govern
ment control, should be established.
The cable should be extended from
Sitka westward. Wagon roads and
trails should be built, and the building
of railroads promoted in all legitimate
ways. Light houses should be built
along the coast. Attention should be
paid to the needs of the Alaskan In
dams; provision should be made for
an officer. with deputies, to study their
needs, relieve their immediate wants,
and help them adapt themselves to the
new conditions.
Alaskan Salmon Fisheries
The commission appointed to inves-
tigate, during the season of 1908, the
condition and needs of the Alaskan
salmon fisheries, has finished its work
in the field. and is preparing a detailed
report thereon. A preliminary report
reciting the measures Immediately re-
quired for the protection and preserva
ton of the salmon industry has already
been submitted to the secretary of
commerce and labor for his attention
and for the needed action.
As to Hawaii
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 light houses.
The governor should be empowered to
remove or suspend any official appoint
ed by him, without submitting the mat
ter to the legislature.
The Philippines and Porto Rico
OF our insular possessions the Phil
ippines and Porto Rico it is gratifying
to say that their steady progress has