The sun., 1903-12-08

must be continued. for reasons of sound
public policy. No governmental movement
of recent years has resulted in greater
immediate benefit to the people of the coin'
try districts. Rural free delivery. taken
in connection with the telephone; the bicy-
toward essetiing the isolation of farm
life and making II brighter and more az
tractive In the immediate past the lack
of Just such facilities AZ these has driven
many of the more active and restless young
men and women from the farms to the cities
for they rebelled at loneliness and lack OF
mental companionship, II is unhealthy
and undesirable for the cities to grow. at
the expense of the country; and rural free
delivery is not only good thing IN Itself
but is good because il is one OF The callsc'
which check this unwholesomc tendency
toward the urban concontra ION OF ON
population a, the expense OF the country
districts.
GOOD ROADS,
II is for the same reason that W" sympa,
thize with and approve, of the policy ol
building good roads. The movement for
good roads is one fraught with the greatest
benefit TO the country districts.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE EXPOSITION.
trust that the Congress will continue
TO favor in all proper ways the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition This exposition COM
mcmorates the Louisiana Purchase. which
was the first great step III he expansion
which made us a continental nation. Inc
expedition of Lewis and Clark across the
continent followed thereon and marked
the beginning of the process of exploration
and colonization which thrust our national
boundaries to the Pacific,
LEWIS AND CLARK ExPOsITIoN.
The acquisition of the Oregon country,
including the present States Of Oregon and
Washingt on, was fact Of immense i'm
to- IA iutN first
place on the Pacific seaboard, and making
ready the way for our ascendency in the
commerce of the greatest OF ~" oceans
The centennial of our establishment upoi
the western coast by the expedition OF Lewis
and Clark is to he ceebrat ed at Portland
Oregon, by an exposition in the summer o
1905, and this event should receive recog-
milton and support from the National Gov
ernment.
DEVELOPMENT OF ALASKA.
| call your special attention TO the Terri
tory of Alaska Tie country Is developing
The mineral wealth is great and has as yet
hardly been tapped. The fisheries. u
wisely handled and kept under natlona
control, will be business as permanent AZ
any other and of the utmost Importance
to the people Tho forests, if properly
guarded, will form another great source OF
wealth Portions of Alaska are fitted foi
farming and stock raising al though the
methods must be adapted to the peculiar
conditions Of the country. Alaska is siu'
ated in the far North; but so are Norwa!
and Sweden and Finland; and Alaska cal
prosper and play it's part in the New World
lust az those nations have prosperod and
playcd their parts in the Old World. Proper
land laws should he enacted and the survey
of the public lands Immediately begun
Coal land laws should be provided whereby
the coal land entryman may make his 10.
cation and secure patent under methods
stead and mineral entrymen. Salmon
hatcheries, exclusively under Government,
control, should be established, The cable
should be extended from Sitka westward
Wagon roads and trails should he built
and the building OF railroads promoted
in all legitimate ways. Lighthouses should
he built along the coast Attention shouo
be paid to the needs of the Alaska 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.
ALASKAN SALMON FISHERIES
The commission appointed to investi
gate, during the season Of 1903 he condi.
ton and needs Of the Alaskan salmon
fisheries has finished its work in the ficlo
and is preparing a detailed report thereon
4 preliminary report recting the measure.
Immediately required for the protection
and preservation of the salmon, indust ry
has already been submit ed Ia the Secreta airy
of Commerce and Labor for his attention
and for the needed action,
HAWAII.
recommend that an appropriation be
and taking possession OF those already