Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-12-07

lar DelIeE Iudl ever pSLOAS, hhAAS IhSAh
governmental. intellectual and moral
advance has kept pace with their ma
terial advance. No one people ever
benefited another people more than we
have benefited the Filipinos by taking
possession of the islands.
Preservation of Forests.
The work of reclamation of the arid
lands of the west is progressing steadily
and satisfactorily under the terms of
the law setting aside the proceeds
from the disposal of public lands.
The study of the opportunities of
reclamation of the vast extent of arid
land shows that whether this reclama-
ton is done by individuals, corpora
tions or the state, the sources of water
supply must be effectively protected
and the reservoirs guarded by the pres
ervation of the forests at the head
waters of the streams. The necessity
for perpetuating our forest resources,
whether in public or private hands, IS
recognized now as never before. 1t Is
recommended that all matters pertain
ing TO forest reserves, except those in
volving or pertaining to land titles, be
consolidated in the bureau of forestry
of the department of agriculture.
The cotton growing states have re-
Gently been invaded by a weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry. 1 suggest
to the congress the prompt enactment
of such remedial legislation as its judg-
ment may approve.
No other class of our citizens de-
serves so we'll of the nation as those
to whom the nation owes its very be-
ing, the veterans of the civil war. Spe-
cial attention is asked to the excellent
work of the pension bureau in eXpedit-
ing and disposing of pension claims.
During the fiscal year ending July j,
1908, the bureau settled 251, $50 claims,
an average of SO claims for each
working day of the year. The number
of settlements since July 1, 1905, has
been in excess of last years average.
approaching 1000 claims for each
working day, and it is believed that
the work of the bureau will be current
at the close of the present fiscal year.
Extension of civil Service Rules.
During the year ended June 80 last
1886 persons were appointed through
competitive examinations under the
civil service rules. This was 1862
more than during the preceding year
and 40 per cent of those who passed
the examinations. This abnormal
growth was largely occasioned by the
extension of classification to the rural
free delivery service and the appoint
ment last year of over 5000 rural car
rierS. \ revision of the civil service
rules took effect on April 10 last, which
has greatly improved their operation.
The completion of the reform of the
civil service is recognized by good citi-
zens everywhere as a matter of tile
highest public Importance, and the sue
cess of the merit system largely depends
upon the effectiveness OF the rules and
the machinery provided for their en-
forcement. 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
service act.
The Army and Navy.
The effect of the laws providing a
general staff for the army and for the
more effective use of the national guard
has been excellent. Great improve
ment has been made in the efficiency
of our army in recent years. Such
schools as those erected at Fort Leav-
enworth and Fort Riley and the insti-
tuition of fall maneuver work accom-
plish satisfactory results. The good eff
feet of these maneuvers upon the ma
tional guard is marked, and ample ap-
preparation should be made to enable
the guardsmen of the several states to
share in the benefit. The government
should as soon as possible secure suit
able permanent camp sites for military
maneuvers in the various sections of
the country.
l heartily congratulate the congress
upon the steady progress in building
up the American navy. We cannot
afford a let-up in this great work To
stand still means to go back. There
should be no cessation in adding to the
effective units of the fighting strength
of the fleet Meanwhile the navy de-
partment and the officers of the navy
are doing well their part by providing
constant service at sea under condi-
tons akin to those OF actual warfare.
Our officers and enlisted men are learn
ing to handle the battleships. cruisers
and torpedo boats with high efficiency
in fleet and squadron formations. and
the standard of craftsmanship is being
steadily raised. The best work ashore
is Indispensable. but the highest duty
of a naval officer is to exercise COM
mand at sea. 1t is eminently desirable
that a naval general staff should be
established.
Isthmian Canal.
By the act of June %, 1902, the con-
gress authorized the president to enter
into treaty with Colombia for the
building of the canal across the 18TH
mus of Panama, it being provided that
in the event of failure to secure such
treaty after the lapse of a reasonable
time recourse should be had to build
ing a canal through Nicaragua. 1t has
net been necessary to consider this al
tentative, as / am enabled to lay be-
fore the senate a treaty providing for