The free press. (Southern Pines, N.C.) 1898-19??, 1903-12-11

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per cent Of those who passed the ex-
animation. This abnormal growth was
largely occasioned by the extension Of
classification to the rural free delivery
service and the appointment last year
Of over 5000 rural carriers. A revision
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 rec
ognized by good citizens everywhere as
matter of the highest public import
ance, and the success of the merit sys-
tenn largely depends upon the effec-,
tiveness of the rules and the machin-
cry provided for their enforcement. A
very gratifying spirit of friendly CO.
operation exists in all the Departments
of the Government in the enforcement
and uniform observance of both the
letter and spirit of the civil-service act.
Executive orders Of July 8, 1902; March
26, 1908, and July 8, 1903, require that
appointments of all unclassified labor
ers, both in the Departments at Wash
ington and in the field service, shall
be made with the assistance of the
United States Civil Service Commits
sion, under a system of registration to
test the relative fitness of applicants
for appointment or employment. This
system is competitive, and is open to
ali citizens of the United States quail
fled in respect to age physical ability,
moral character, industry, and adap-
liability for manual labor; except that
in case of veterans Of the civil war the
element of age is omitted.
Board of Charities.
The report of the Board of Chart
ties for the District of Columbia Is
submitted for the consideration Of
Congress. 1t is qualifying statement.
Bureau of Corporations.
The message urges the establishment
of Bureau of Corporations. This in
the opinion of the President will &C.
complish much good.
The Army.
On the subject of the army the mes
sage is lucid and full, congratulating
the country on the high efficiency be-
ing reached.
The Navy.
The needs of the navy are set forth
in a strong manner, much emphasis
being laid on the need for war vessels
Of modern constructions.
Receipts and Expenditures.
The receipts of the Government have
been in excess of the expenditures for
the year, and safe balance is on the
right side.
Public Land Laws.
Our public land laws need revision
sadly. A great deal of fraud has crept
into their administration and scandals
are common. 1t is urged that they be
thoroughly revised.
Isthmian Canal.
BY the act of June %, 1902, the Con-
gress authorized the President to en-
ter into treaty with Colombia for the
building of the canal across the
Isthmus of Panama. it being provided
that in the event of failure to secure
such treaty after the lapse of rea-
sonable time, recourse should be had
to building canal through Nicaragua.
1t has not been necessary to consider
this alternative, as | am enabled to
lay before the Senate treaty provld-
ing for the building of the canal across
the Isthmus of Panama. This was the
route which commended itself to the
deliberate judgment of the Congress,
and we can now acquire by treaty the
right to construct the canal over this
route. The question now, therefore, is
not By which route the Isthmian canal
shall be built for that question has
been definitely and irrevocably de-
cided. The question is simply whether
or not We shall have an IsthmiaD
canal
Provisions of Treaty.
By the provisions Of the treaty
the United States guarantees and will
faintain the independence Of the Re-
public Of Panama. There is granted
to the United States in perpetuity the
use, occupation an6 control Of strip
ten miles wide and extending three
nautical miles into the sea at either
terminal, with all lands lying outside
Of the zone necessary for the con.