The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-07

of the policy of building good roads.
The movement for good roads is one
fraught with the greatest benefit to the
Expeditions.
I trust that the congress will con-
tlnue to favor in all proper ways the
Louisiana Purchase exposition. This
exposition commentaries the Louisiana
purchase, which was the first great step
in the expansion which made US con-
tinental 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
uonal boundaries to the Pacific. The
acquisition of the Oregon country, in
Guiding the present states of Oregon
and washington, was fact of immense
Importance in our history; first giving
as our place on the Pacific seaboard,
and making ready the way for our as
tendency in the commerce of the great
est of the oceans. The centennial of
our establishment upon the western
coast by the expedition of Lewis and
Clark is to be celebrated at Portland,
mer of 1905, and this event should re-
ceive recognition and support from the
national government.
call your special attention to the
developing rapidly, and it has an as
sured future. The mineral wealth is
great and has as yet hardly been tap
ped. The fisheries, If wisely handled
and kept under national control, will
be a business as permanent as any
other, and of the utmost Importance to
the people. The forests if properly
guarded will form another great source
of wealth. Portions of Alaska are fit
ted for farming and stock raising. al
though the methods must be adapted
to the peculiar conditions of the coun-
try. Alaska is situated in the far
north; but so are Norway and Sweden
and Finland; and Alaska can prosper
and play it's part in the New World
Just as those nations have proSpered
and played their parts in the Old
World. Proper land laws should be
enacted; and the survey of the public
lands Immediately begun. Coal land
laws should be provided whereby the
coal land entryman may make his loca-
ton and secure patent under methods
kindred to those now prescribed for
homestead and mineral entrymen.
Salmon hatcheries, exclusively under
government control, should be estab-
lished. The cable should be extended
from Sitka westward. Wagon roads
and trails should be built, and the
building of railroads promoted in all
legitimate ways. Lighthouses should
be built along the coast. Attention
ka Indians; provision should be made
for an officer, with deputies, to study
their needs, relieve their immediate
wants, and help them adapt themselves
to the new conditions.
Salmon Fisheries.
The commission appointed to investi-
gate, during the season of 1908, the con-
dition and needs of the Alaskan salmon
fisheries, has finished it's work in the
field, and is preparing a detailed report
thereon. A preliminary report reciting
the measures Immediately required for
the protection and preservation OF the
salmon industry has already been sub
mitted to the secretary of commerce
and labor for his attention and for the
needed action.
I recommend that an appropriation
be made for building lighthouses in
Hawaii, and taking possession of those
already built. The territory should
be reimbursed for whatever amounts
it has already expended for light
houses. The governor should be en-
powered to suspend or remove any Off
cial appointed by him, without sub
hitting the matter to the legislature.
Philippines and Porto Rico.
OF our insular possessions the Philip
pines and Porto Rico it is gratifying to
say that their steady progress has
been such as to make it unnecessary
to spend much time in discussing them.
Yet the congress should ever keep In
mind that 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 arrangements. 1t would, or
course be impossible suddenly to raise
the people of 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 development
has hitherto gone on so smoothly.
hos fob in no
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 better than ever before, while their
governmental, intellectual and moral
advance has kept pace with their ma
terial advance. No other people ever
benefited another people more than we
have benefited the Filipinos by taking
possession of the islands.
Receipts of Land Office.
The cash receipts of the general land
024, 1885, an increase of 1852 .81647
over the preceding year. OF this sum,
approximately. SIS, 461. 4J3 will go to the
credit of the fund for the reclamation
fund up to the 30th of June, 1903, APP
proximately, SIS, 191, s36.
A gratifying disposition has been
evinced by those having unlawful in
closures of public land to remove their
fences. Nearly two million acres so in
| closed have been thrown open upon
demand. In but comparatively few
cases has it been necessary to go into
court to accomplish this purpose. This
work will be vigorously prosecuted un-
til all unlawful Enclosures have been
removed.
Experience has shown that in the
western states themselves, as well as
in the rest of the country, there is wide
spread conviction that certain of the
public land laws and the resulting adj
ministratiye practice no longer meet
the present needs. The character and
uses of the remaining public lands diff
fer widely from those of the public
lands which congress had especially in
view when these laws were passed. The
rapidly increasing rate of disposal of
the public lands is not followed by
corresponding increase in home build