Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1903-12-11

other desirable administrative reforms.
Rural Free Delivery.
The rural free-delivery service has been
steadily extended. The attention of the
congress Is asked to the question of the
compensation of the letter carriers and
clerks engaged in the postal service, es-
routes. More routes have been installed
since the first of July last than in any
Ike period In the departments history.
While a due regard to economy must be
kept in mind in the establishment of new
routes, yet the extension of the rural
fr ee-delivery system must be continued,
for reasons of sound public policy No
governmental movement of recent years
mas resulted in greater immediate benefit
to the people of the country districts.
Rural free delivery taken in connection
trolley, accomplishes mpch toward les
seninG the isolation of farm life and
making 1t brighter and more attractive.
International Expositions.
l trust that the congress will continue
to favor in all proper ways the I,ouisiana
Purchase exposition. This exposition com
memorates the Louisiana purchase which
WAS the first great step in the expansion
which made us continental nation. The
expedition of Lewis and Clark across the
continent followed thereon and marked
the beginning of the process of exploration
boundaries to the Pacific. The ACQUISITION
OF the Oregon country, including the pres
ent states of oregon and Washington, was
tory; first giving us our place on the Pa
cifc seaboard. and making ready the way
for our ascendency in the commerce of the
our establishment upon the western coast
by the expedition of Lewis and Clark is
to be celebrated at Portland, Ore, by an
event should receive recognition and sup
port from the national government.
Our Insulnr Possessions.
recommend that an appropriation be
made for building lighthouses in Hawaii,
and taking possession of those already
built, built: The IN territory should be reim-
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.
or our insular possessions the Philip
pines and Porto Rico 1t is gratifying to
say that their steady progress has been
such as to make 1t unnecessary to spend
much time in discussing them. Yet the
congress should ever keep in mind that
these communities. The Philippines
should be knit closer to us by tariff ar
rangements. 1t would. of course, be i'm
possible 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 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 politics
from the public service The condition
of the islanders is in material things far
better than ever before. while their gov
ernmental intellectual and moral ad-
vance has kept pace with their material
another people more than we have bene-
fitted the Tilipinos by taking possession
of the islands.
The Public Lands.
A gratifying disposition has been
eyinced 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
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 administrative
practice no longer meet the present needs
The character and uses of the remaining
public lands differ widely from those of
pecialIy in View when these laws were
passed. The rapidly increasing rate of
disposal of the public lands is not fol-
lowed by, by &c correSponding increase Se,, IN
mass in large holdings public lands, es
pecially timber and grazing lands. and
thereby to retard settlement. renew
and emphasize my recommendation of
last year that SO far as they are available
for agriculture in its broadest sense. and
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-
tion of the congress Is especially direct
ed to the timber and stone law, the
desert-land law. and the Communication
clause of the homestead law. which in
their operation have in many respects
The discussions in the congress and else
where have made it evident that there is
a wide divergence of opinions between
holding 9PpPsIS ba tie rsws 9p hs
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
commissioner of the general land Office:
Clifford Pnchot. chief of the bureau of
forestry OF the department of agricul-
ture. and f. II. Newell, chief hydrogra-
pher of the geological survey. to report
at the earliest practicable moment upon
the condition, operation and effect of the
Hrescnt land laws and on the use, con-
ditien. 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 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 1t will make such other
reports and recommendations as its
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 upon
which it has doubt it will take the time
necessary to make investigation and
reach a final judgment.
The Army and Navy.
The effect of the laws providing a gen
eral staff for the army and for the more
effective use of 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 Leavenworth and Fort
Riley and the institution of fall maneuver
work accomplish satisfactory results.
The good effect of these maneuvers upon
the national guard is marked and ample
appropriation should be made to enable
the guardsmen o: the several states to
share in the benefit, The government
should as soon as possible secure suitable
permanent camp sites for military man.
euvers IN the various sections of the
phD ry hy