The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1903-12-11

throughout the empire. ana 20 introAue,
other desirable administrative reforms
Rural Free Delivery.
r. The rural free-delivery service has beer
steadily extended. The attention OF IN.
congress = asked 70 the question OF In.
compensation OF the letter carriers anc
clerks Engaged In the postal service. es
pecially on the new rural free-deiivery
routes. Mcre routes have been installed
since the hrst OF July last than In any
Ike period In the departments history
While due regard 10 economy must BE-
Kept In mind In the establishment OF new
routes. yet the extension OF the rura
free-deiivery system must be continued
LOT reasons or sound public policy. No
has resulted in greater Immediate bench,
20 the people OF the country districts
Rural free delivery. taken in connection
WIN the telephons. the bicycle. and the
trolley. accomplishes much toward les
sening the isolation OF farm life and
making II brighter and more attractive
international Expeditions.
1 trust that the congress will continue
10 favor In all proper Ways the Louisiana
Furchase exposition. This exposition. COM
memorates the Louisiana purchase. which
was the first great step In the expansion
winch made Us continental nation. The
expedition OF Lewis and Clark across the
continent followed thereon, and marked
the beginning of the process OF exploration
ana colonization which thrust our national
oouhdaries 70 the Pacific. The acquisition
OF the oregon country. including the pres
ent states OF Oregon and Washington was
a fact OF INN ense importance In our his
Tory hrst giving US our place on the Pa
cine seaboard. and making ready the way
ior our ascendency IN the commerce of the
I greatest OF the oceans. The centennial OF
our establishment upon the western coast
10 be celebrated al Portland. Ore, by an
exposition IN the summer OF 1905. and this
event shouid receive recognition and sup
port from the national government.
Our Insular Possessions.
| recommend that an appropriation be
made for building lighthouses in Hawaii.
and taking possession OF those already
built. The territory should be REIN
bursed for whatever amounts IL has al
ready expended for lighthouses. The
governor should be empowered TO sus-
pend or remove any official appointed by
him., without submitting the matter to
the legislature.
OF our insular possessions the Philip
pines and Porto Rico IL is gratifying to
say that their steady progress has been
such as 10 make IL unnecessary TO spend
much time In discussing them. Yet the
congress should ever keep in mind that
q peculiar obligation rests upon us to
further in every way the welfare OF
these communities. The Philippines
should be knit closer to us by tariff ar
raneements; 1t would OF course be i'm
the islands to the high pitch OF Industrial
prosperity and OF governmental efficiency
TO which they will in the end by degrees
attain; and, the caution and moderation
shown in developing them have been
among the main reasons why this devel-
opment has hitherto gone on so smooth
~. Scrupuous care has been taken In
the choice of governmental agents. and
the entire elimination OF partisan politics
from the public service. The condition
OF the islanders Is in material things far
t.Aft ttrats L.f MI 49,.
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
evinced by those having unlawful in
closures OF public land 10 remove their
fences. Nearly 100000 acres SO in
closed have been thrown open on demand.
In but comparatively few cases has II
been necessary TO go into court To ac-
complish this purpose This work will be
vigorously prosecuted until all unlawful
Enclosures have been removed.
Experience has shown that in the west
ern states themselves. as well as in the
rest OF the country. there is widespread
conviction that certain OF the public land
laws and the resulting admnlstra tive
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 sna. rate Of
lowed by a corresponding increase in
home building There is tendency 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 broadcast sense. and
o.
claimed under the national irrigation law.
the remaining public lands should be held
rigidly for the home builder. The atten-
ton Of the congress Is especially direct
ed to the timber and stone law. the
desert- land law. and the commute ton
clause of the homestead law. which in
their operation have in many respects
conficted with wise public-land policy.
The discussions In the congress and else
where have made II evident that there Is
a wide. divergence OF opinions between
subjects: and that the opposing sides
have strong and convinced representa-
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. 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. H. Newell. chief hydrogra-
pher OF the geological survey TO report
at the earliest practicable moment upon
the condition. operation and effect OF the
present land laws and on the use. con-
dtion. 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 practica BILE disposition of the pub
lie lands 10 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 II will make such other
reports and recommendations as fts
study OF these questions may suggest.
The commission Is to report Immediate
~ upon those points concerning which
its Judgment Is clear: on any point upon
which II has doubt II will take the time
necessary TO make investigation and
reach final judgment
The Army and Navy.
The effect Of the laws providing a zen
eral stan for the army and for the more
effective use or the national guard has
been excellent. Great Improvement has
been made In the efficiency OF our army
in recent years. Such schools as those
erected at Fort Lcavenworth and Fort
Riley and the institution OF fall maneuver
work accomplish satisfactory results.
The good effect OF these maneuvers upon