Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1903-12-09

the National Government.
Cotton Weevii
The cotton-growing States have re-
Gently been invaded by a weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry. | suggest to
the Congress the prompt enactment of
such remedial legislation as it's judg-
ment may approve.
Indian Affairs.
The Indian agents should not be de-
pendent for their appointment or ten
ure OF office upon considerations of
partisan politics; the practice OF APP
pointing. when possible. eX-army Off
GERS or bonded superntcndents to the
vacancies that occur is working well.
! Attention is invited to the wide
| spread illiteracy due to lack of public
| schools in the Indian Territory
| Prompt heed should be paid to the
need OF education for the children in
this Territory.
sefety-Arplance Law.
In the matter of the safety-appliance
| law mucn good has already been ac-
| complished. The law should be vigor-
! oUsly enforced.
Pensions.
No other class of our citizens de-
| serves so well OF the Nation as those
Co WhOm the Nation owes it's very he
/ ing. the veterans of the civil war Spe-
cial attention is asked to the excellent
| work OF the Pension Bureau in expend-
ing and disposing OF pension claims.
| During the fiscal year ending puly !.
1903. the Bureau settled psi $50 claims.
! an average of S25 claims for each work
| ing day of the year The number OF set
| temeut since July |. 1903. has been in
excess OF last years average. approach
ing 1000 claims for each working day
and it is believed that the work of the
| Bureau will he current at the close of
the present fiscal year
Civil Service Extension.
During the year ended June 80 last
| Z''oo' persons were appointed through
competitive examinations under the
! ciVll-service rules. This was 1912 more
than during the preceding year. and 40
| per cent or those who passed the ex-
animation. This abnormal growth was
largely occasioned by the extension OF
classification to the rural free-delivery
! service and the appointment last year
/ oi over 9O0O rural carriers \ revision
| oi the civil-service rules took effect on
| april 10 last. which has greatly i'm
| proved their operation. The completion
OF the reform of the civil service is rec
ogniZed by good citizens everywhere as
a matter of the highest public import
nnce' anu the Success OF the merit sys-
TEN largely depends upon the effec
tiveness of the rules and the machin-
cry provided FOR their enforcement A
very gratifying spirit of friendly CO.
operation exists in all the Departments
OF the Government in the enforcement
ana uniform observance OF both the
letter and spirit of the civil-service act.
| Executive orders OF July 3, 1902: March
70. 1903, and July 6. 1903, require that
| appointments of all unclassified labor
ers. both in the Departments at Wash
ington and In the field service. shall
Dc made with the assistance of the
United States Civil Service Commits
sion. under a system of registration to
test the relative fitness OF applicants
Tor appointment or employment. This
system is competitive. and is open to
all citizens of the United States quail
ned In respect to age. physical ability.
moral character. industry, and adam
liability for manual labor; except that
IN case of veterans of the civil war the
element of age is omitted.
Board Of Charities.
Ihe report of the Board OF Chari-
ties for the District OF Columbia is
submitted for the consideration of
Congress. 1t is qualifying statement.
bureau OF Corporations.
me message urges the establish ment
OF Bureau of Corporations. This in
the opinion of the President will ac-
complish much good.
The Army.
On the subject of the army the mos
sage is lucid and full. congratulating
the country on the high efficiency be-
ing reached.
The Navy.
The needs of the navy are set forth
in strong manner, much emphasis
Deing laid on the need for war vessels
CT modern constructions
Receipts and Expenditures.
The receipts OF the Government have
Deen in excess OF the expenditures for
the year, and a safe balance is on the
right side.
Public Land Laws.
Our public land laws need revision
sadly. A great deal OF fraud has crept
into their administration. and scandals
are common. 1t is urged that they be
thoroughly revised.
lsthmian Canal.
BY the act of June 2S. 1902. the Con
gress authorized the President to en-
ter into treaty with Colombia for the
building of the canal across the
isthmus OF Panama; it being provided
that In the event Of failure To secu. @
such treaty after the lapse Of a rca.
sonable time, recourse should be had
10 building a canal through Nicaragua.
IL has not been necessary TO consi,icr
thls alternative. as | am enabled TO
lay before the Senate a treaty provid-
ing Tor the building of the canal across
l the isthmus OF Panama. This was the
| route Whlch commended itself 10 the
deliberate Judgment OF the Congress
and we can now acquire by treaty the
rlsht TO construct the canal over this
route. The question now, therefore. is
not ~ which route the Isthmian canal