The Roswell daily record. [volume] (Roswell, N.M.) 1903-current, 1903-12-07

this sum, approximately, $8,461, 493
will go to the credit of the fund for
the reclamation of arid land. making
the total of this fund up to the 30th
of June, 1903, approximately, $16,-
! 191, 1896.
Revision of Public Land Laws
Experience has shown that in the
western states themselves. as well
as the rest of the country, there is
widespread conviction that certain
of the public LAND laws and the re-
sulting 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 especially in view when these
laws were passed. The rapidly in
~creasing rate of disposal of the pub
lie lands is not followed by a cor
responding increase in home build
ing. There is a tendency to mass in
large holdings public lands, espec-
tally timber and grazing lands. and
thereby to retard settlement. l re-
new and emphasize my recommends
ton of last year that so far as they
are available for agriculture in it's
broadcast sense, and to whatever eX-
tent they may be reclaimed under
the national irrigation law. the re-
naming public lands should be held
tention of the congress is especially
directed to the timber and stone law,
the desert land act and the commu-
tation clause of the homestead law,
which in their operation have in
many respects conficted with wise
public land policy.
Indian Affairs.
The Indian agents should not be
dependent for their appointment or
tenure of office upon considerations
of partisan politics; the practice of
appointing, when possible, ex-army
officers or bonded superintendent
to the vacancies that occur is work
ing well. Attention is invited to the
widespread illiteracy due to lack of
public schools in the Indian Terrific
ry. Prompt heed should be paid to
the need of education for the chill
dren in this territory.
Safety Appliance Law.
With the increasing railway mile
age of the country, the greater num-
Der of men employed, and the use of
larger and heavier equipment, the ur
gency for renewed effort to prevent
the loss of life and limb upon the
railroads of the country, particular
ly to employees is apparent.
Pensions.
No other class of our citizens de-
serves SO well of the nation as those
to whom the nation owes it's very
being, the veterans of the civil war.
Special attention is asked to the ex-
cellent work of the Pension Bureau
in expediting and disposing of pen
sion claims. During the fiscal year
ending July 1, 1908, the Bureau set
tied 251,9S2 claims, an average of
825 claims for each working day of
the year. The number of settlements
since July 1. 1908. has been in ax-
cess of last years average, ap-
preaching 1000 claims for each work
ing day. and it is believed that the
work OF the Bureau will be current
the close of the present fiscal
year.
The Army.
The effect of the laws providing a
general staff for the army and for
the more effective use of the Ma
tional Guard has been excellent.
Great improvement has been made
in the efficiency of our army in re-
cent years. Such schools as those
at Fort Leavenworth and
Fort Riley and the institution of fall
maneuver work accomplish satisfac-
tory results. The good effect of these
maneuvers upon the National Guard
is marked, and ample appropriation
should be made to enable the guards
mel of the several states to share
in the benefit.
The only people who are satisfied
with a system of promotion by mere
seniority are those who are content
ed with the triumph of m%ediocrity
over excellence. On the other hand
a system which encouraged the ex-
ercise of social or political favor
itism in promotions would be worse.
But it would surely be easy to de-
wise a method of promotion from
grade to grade in which the opinion
of the higher officers of the service
upon the candidates should be de-
I1non fha -cfondinr on1 nro- |