Iron County register., 1903-12-10


much time in discussing them. Yet the
should ever keep in mind that
a peculiar obligation rests upon US TO
further in every way the welfare OF
should be knit closer to us by tariff ar
1t would. of course, be i'm
possible suddenly TO raise the people OF
the islands to the high pitch of Industrial
to which they will in the end by degrees
attain; and the caution and moderation
shown in developing them nave been
among the main reasons why this deVel-
opment has hitherto gone on so smooth
ly. Scrupulous care has been taken In
the choice of governmental agents, and
the entire elimination of partisan pontlcs
from the public service. The condition
of the islanders Is in material things lar
better than ever before, while their gov
intellectual and moral ad-
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
fences. Nearly 100000 acres so in
closed have been thrown open on demand
In but comparatively few cases has 1t
been necessary 10 go into court to ac-
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 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 es-
niaI1 1t in vic w these were
passed The rapidly increasing rate OF
disposal of the public lands is not fol-
lowed by a corresponding increase IN
home building. There is a tendency to
mass in large holdings public lands es-
pecially timber and grazing lands, and
thereby to retard settlement l renew
and emphasize my recommendation OF
last year that so far as they are available
for agriculture in its broadest sense ana
to whatever extent they may be re-
claimed under the national irrigation law,
the remaining public lands should be held
rigidly for the home builder. The atten-
tlon of the congress is especially direct
ed to the timber and stone law, the
clause of the homestead law, which In
their operation have in many respects
conf1icted with wise public-land policy.
The discussions in the congress and else
where have made it evident that there Is
a wide divergence of opinions between
those holding opposite views on these
subjects; and that the opposing sides
have strong and convinced representa-
tives of weight both within and without
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 COM
mission composed of w. A. Richards
Clifford Pinchot. chief Of tho bureau OF
forestry of the department of agricul'
ture, and F. Fl. Newell chief hydrogra,
pher of the geological survey, to report
at the earliest practicable moment upor
the condition, operation and effect of the
present land laws and on the use, con
diton, 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 practicable disposition of the pub
lie lands to actual settlers who will built
permanent homes upon them, and to Sc
cure in permanence the fullest and mos
effective use of the resources of the pub
lie lands: and it will make such othel
reports and recommendations as it!
study of these questions may suggest
The commission Is to report immediate
ly upon those points concerning which
its judgment is clear on any point upor
which it has doubt it will take the timt
necessary to make investigation ant
reach a final judgment
Progress of Irrigation.
The work of reclamation of the arid lands
of the west is progressing steadily and sat
isfactorily under the terms of the law set
ting aside the proceeds from the disposa
of public lands. The corps of engineer!
known as the reclamation service, which
is conducting the surveys and eXamina
tions. has been thoroughly organized, es
pecial pains being taken to secure unde
the civil service rules a body of skilled, eX
a n Df11 ron In a n
examinations are progressing Throughout
the arid states and territories, plans fo
reclaiming works being prepared ant
passed upon by boards OF engineers befor
approval by the secretary of the interior
In Arizona and Nevada, in localities wher
such work is preeminently needed, con
struction has already been begun. In othe
parts of the arid west various projects ar
well advanced towards the drawing up o
contracts, these being delayed in part b,
necessities of reaching agreements or un
derstanding as regards rights of way o
acquisition of real estate. Most Of tn
works contemplated for construction ar
of national Importance, involving inter
state questions or the securing of stable
self-Supporting communities in the mids
of vast tracts of vacant land. The natiol
as n whole is of course the gamer by tn
creation of these homes, adding as they d
TO the wealth and stability of the country
and furnishing home market for tn
products of the east and south. The re
clamation law, while perhaps not idea
appears at present to answer the large
needs for which it is designed. Furthe
legislation is not recommended until tn
necessities of change are more apparent.
The Civil Service.
During the year ended June 80 last &c, sc
persons were appointed through competi
tive examinations under the civil servic
rules This was l2,672 more than during tn
preceding year, and 40 per cent. of thos
who passed the examinations This ab
normal growth was largely occasioned b.
the extension of classification to the rura
| free delivery service and the appointmer
last year of over 5000 rural carriers. A re
vision of the civil service rules took effeo
on April 10 last, which has greatly in
proved their operation. The completion c
| the reform of the civil service is recognize
by good citizens everywhere as a matte
of the highest public Importance, and tn
success of the merit system largely depend
and the machinery provided for the
enforcement. A very gratifying spir
of friendly cooperation exists in a
the departments of the government in th
both the letter and spirit of the civil ser,
ice act. Executive orders Of July 3, 19O
March 26, 1903, and July s, 1903, require tht
appointments of all unclassifed labofer
| both In the departments at Washingto
and in the field service, shall be made wit
the assistance of the United States civ
service commission, under a system
registration to test the relative fitness
applicants for appointment or employmen
This system is competitive. and is open
all citizens of the United States qualifie
In respect to age, physical ability, NOR
character, industry and adaptability fc
manual labor; except that in case of We
Grams of the civil war the element Of age
omitted. This system of appointment
distinct from the classified service and dot
not classify positions of mere laborer III
der the civil service act and rules Reg
lations in aid thereof have been put
operation in several of the department
and are being gradually extended in oth
parts of the service, The results hay
been very satisfactory as eXtravagan'
has been checked by decreasing the numb
Of unnecessary positions and by increasir
the efficiency of the employees remaining.
The Army and Navy.
The effect of the laws providing a ge
eral staff for the army and for the mo
effective use CT the national guard hi
been excellent. Great Improvement HI
been made in the efficiency of our arm
in recent years Such schools as tho
erected at Fort Leavenworth and Fo
Riley and the institution of fall maneuv
work accomplish satisfactory result
The good effect of these maneuvers up
the national guard is marked, and amI
appropriation should be made to enat
4. -. Al,.1 ,A....