Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1903-12-12
Need For Treaties Making Bribery Elk.
tradit ahlA

/
tradltable.
Steps have been taken by the State
Department looking to the making OF
foreign powers. The need OF more er-
fective treaties covering this crime Is
manifest The exposures and prosecu-
lions of official corruption in St
Louis, Mo-, and other cities and States
have resulted in number OF givers
and takers of brides becoming fugi-
tlves in foreign lands. Bribery has not
been included in extradition treaties
heretofore, as the necessity for II has
not arisen. While there may have been
as much official corruption In former
years, there has been more developed
and brought to light in the immediate
past than in the preceding century OF
our country's history. 1t should be the
policy of the United States to leave no
place on earth where corrupt man
fleeing from this country can rest in
peace. There Is no reason why bribery
should not be included In all treaties
as eXtraditable.
Alaskan Boundary.
The Alaskan boundry dispute has
been one of long standing The Presi-
dent congratulates the country on its
amicable settlement, and incidentally
remarks upon the great development OF
this valuable area Of our possessions.
The President calls attention at
length to the settlement Of claims
against Venezuela held by Great
Britain, Germany and Italy, and re-
marks upon the important part played
by our government in the just settle
| nP 10 arly
the growing sentiment Of the nations
favoring peaceable settlements in such
cases.
International Arbitration.
Last year the Interparliamentary
Union for International Arbitration
met at Vienna, six hundred members
OF the different legislatures of civilized
countries attending. 1t was provided
that the next meeting should be in
1904 at St. Louis, subject to our Con-
gress extending an invitation. Like the
Hague Tribunal this Interparliamen-
tary Union Is one of the forces tending
towards peace among the nations OF
the earth, and 1t is entitled to our sup
port. trust the invitation can be ex-
tended.
Rural Free Delivery.
The rural free-delivery service has
been steadily extended. The attention
OF the Congress is asked to the ques-
ton of the compensation of the letter
carriers and clerks engaged in the pos
tai service, especially on the new rural
free-delivery routes. More routes have
been installed since the first Of July
last than in any like period in the De-
partment. While due regard to econ
omy must be kept in mind in the es-
tablshment of new routes, yet the ex-
tension of the rural free-delivery sys-
TEN must be continued, for reasons OF
sound public policy. No governmental
movement of recent years has resulted
in greater immediate benefit to the
people of the country districts. Rural
free delivery, taken in connection with
the telephone, the bicycle, and the troll
ley, accomplishes much toward lessen
ing the isolation Of farm life and max
ing it brighter and more attractive.
Louisiana Purchase Exposition.
| trust that the Congress will con-
tinue to favor in all proper ways the
Louisiana Purchase Exposition. This
Exposition commentaries the Louisi-
ana purchase, which was the first great
step In the expansion which made us q
continental nation. The expedition OF
Lewis and Clark across the continent
followed thereon, and marked the be-
ginning 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 sea.
board, and making ready the way fol
our ascendency in the commerce Of the
greatest of the oceans. The centennial
of our establishment upon the western
coast by the expedition OF Lewis ant
Clark is to be celebrated at Portland
ner 81 1906 81 ana aHfhH is e9ent II h8a
ceive recognition and support from
the National Government.
Cotton WeeviI.
The cotton-growing States have re-
Gently been invaded by weevil tha
has done much damage and threaten.
the entire cotton industry. suggest t
the Congress the prompt enactment o.
such remedial legislation as its judg
ment may approve.
Indian Affairs.
The Indian agents should not be de
pendent for their appointment or ten
ure Of office upon considerations o
partisan politics; the practice of ap
pointing, when possible, ex-army off
GERS or bonded superintendent to tn,
vacancies that occur Is working well
Attention is invited to the wide
spread illiteracy due to lack Of publ
| n 10 IN
Prompt heed should be paid to tn
need Of education for the children IL
this Territory.
Safety-AppIiance Law.
In the matter Of the safety-applianc
law much good has already been &C
complished. Tho law should be vlgor
ously enforced.
Pensions.
No other class of our citizens de
, | serves SO well OF the Nation as thos
, to whom the Nation owes its very be
ing, the veterans of the civil war. Spe
cial attention Is asked to the excellen
, work of the Pension Bureau in expend
, ing and disposing of pension claims
During the fiscal year ending puly
1908, the Bureau settled PSI, 1882 claims
an average of 1926 claims for each work
n ing day of the year. The number Of sci
, Element since July 1, 1908, has been !
excess Of last years average, approach
: ing 1000 claims for each working da!
and it is believed that the work of tn
. Bureau will be current at the close {
: the present fiscal year.
|. Civil Service Extension.
During the year ended June 30 lai
1856 persons were appointed throug
: competitive examinations under tt
: civil-service rules. This was 1912 mol
!. than during the preceding year, and
( per cent of those who passed the o.
9 animation. This abnormal growth We
y largely occasioned by the extension {
: classification to the rural free-deliver
t service and the appointment last yet
y of over 5000 rural carriers. A revisio
d of the civil-service rules took effect G
: April Is last, which has greatly in
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