The Tupelo journal., 1903-12-11

say. that their steady progress has been
such as to make 1t unnecessary to spend
much time in discussing them. Yet the
congress should ever keep in mind that
q peculiar obligation rests upon US to
turtner In every way the welfare of
these communities. The Philippines
should be knit closer to us by tariff ar
engagements. 1t would. of course. be inn
possible suddenly to raise the people of
the Islands to the high pitch of industrial
to which they will in the end by degrees
attain; and the caution and moderation
shown IN developing them have been
opment has hitherto gone on so smooth
~. ScrupulouS care has been taken in
the choice of governmental agents. and
the entire elimination of partisan politics
from the public service. The condition
or the islanders is in material things far
better than ever before, while their gov
ernmental, intellectual and moral adj
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
evlnced by those having unlawful In
closures of public land to remove their
fences. Nearly 100000 acres SO in
closed have been thrown open on demand
In but comparatively few cases has 1t
oeen necessary TO go into court to ac-
complish this purpose. This work will be
vigorously prosecuted until all unla Wful
Enclosures have been removed.
Experience has shown that in the west
ern states themselves. as well as in the
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
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 endency to
mass in large holdings public lands. es-
thereby to retard settlement. | renew
and emphasize my recommendation of
last year that so far as they are available
for agriculture in its broadest sense. and
to whatever extent they may be re-
4fclaimed under the national irrigation law,
the remaining public lands should be held
rigidly for the home builder. The atten-
tion of the ongre 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 ongre and else
where have made it evident that there is
a wide divergence of opinions between
those holding opposite views on these
subjects; and that the opposing sides
have strong and convinced representa-
LIVES VI WtiSHt DOtH WllIl1 anu 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-, I have appointed a COM
mission composed of w. A. Richards,
commissioner of the general land office;
Clifford Pinchot. chief 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
tina - a~1 ~ffA1 - ~
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 public lands are needed to effect the
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 it will make such other
reports and recommendations 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 it will take the time
necessary to make investigation and
reach a final judgment.
Progress of Irrigation.
The work of reclamation of the arid lands
Of the west is progressing steadily and sat
isfactortly under the terms of the law set
ting aside the proceeds from the disposal
of public lands. The corps of engineers
known as the reclamation service. which
is conducting the surveys and
lions, has been thoroughly organized, es-
pecial pains being taken to secure under
the civil service rules a body of skilled, ex-
perlefceG and efficient men. Surveys and
examinations are progressing throughout
the arid states and territories, plans for
retaining works being prepared and
passed upon by boards of engineers before
approval by the secretary of the interior.
In Arizona and Nevada, in localities where
such work is prominently needed, con-
struction has already been begun. In other
parts of the arid west various projects are
well advanced towards the drawing up of
contracts, these being delayed in part by
derstandlng as regards rights of way or
acquisition OF real estate. Most of the
works contemplated for construction are
of national Importance, involving inter-
state questions or the securing of stable.
self-Supporting communities in the midst
of vast tracts of vacant land. The nation
as a whole is of course the gamer by the
creation of these homes, adding as they do
to the wealth and stability of the country,
and furnishing a home market for the
product or the east and south. The re-
cIamatlon law. while perhaps not ideal,
appears at present to answer the larger
needs for which it is designed. Further
legislation Is not recommended until the
necessities OF change are more apparent.
The Civil Service.
During the year ended June 30 last %. 5ss
persons were appointed through COMPETE
tive examinations under the civil service
rules. This was u. 672 more than during the
preceding year, and 10 per cent. of those
who passed the examinations. This alb
normal growth was largely occasioned by
the extension of classification to the rural
free delivery service and the appointment
last year of over 1000 rural carriers. A re-
vision of the civil service rules took effect
on April Is last, which has greatly i'm
proved their operation. The completion of
the reform of the civil service is recognized
by good citizens everywhere as a matter
of the highest public Importance, and the
success of the merit system largely depends
and the machinery provided for their
enforcement. A very gratifying spirit
OF friendly cooperation exists in all
the departments of the government in the
enforcement and uniform observance of
both the letter and spirit of the civil serv-
act. Executive orders of July 3. 1902:
appointments of all unclassiied laborers.
both In the departments at Washington
and In the field service, shall be made with
the assistance of the United States civil
registration to test the relative fitness of
applicants for appointment or employment.
rms system is competitive, and is open to
all citizens of the United States qualified
In respect to age, physical ability, moral
character. industry and adaptability for
manual labor; except that in case of vet
Grams OF the civil war the element of age is
omitted. This system of appointment is
distinct from the classified service and does
not classify positions of mere laborer I'M
ger the civil service act and rules. Regu-
latlons in aid thereof have been put in
operation in several of the departments
ana are being gradually extended in other
parts OF the service. The results have
Deen! very satisfactory, as extravaganza
has been checked by decreasing the number
OF unnecessary positions and by increasing
the efficiency of the employees remaining.
The Army and Navy.
The effect of the laws providing a gen