Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-12-07

The cable SHOULD ne eNtenueu 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 should be
paid to the needs Of the Alaska In
dams. 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.
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 lighthouses.
The governor should be empowered TO
suspend or remove any official appoint
ed by him, without submitting the
matter to the legislature.
The Philippines and Porto Rico.
OF 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 a 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, OF
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.
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
governmental, intellectual and moral
advance has kept pace with their ma
terial advance. No one people ever
benefited another people more than we
have benefited the Filipinos by taking
possession of the islands.
Preservation OF Forests.
The work Of reclamation Of the arid
lands of the west is progressing steadily
and satisfactorily under the terms Of
the law setting aside the proceeds
from the disposal of public lands.
The study of the opportunities of
reclamation of the vast extent of arid
land shows that whether this reclama-
ton is done by individuals, corpora
tons or the state, the sources Of water
supply must be effectively protected
and the reservoirs guarded by the pres
ervation of the forests at the head
waters Of the streams. The necessity
for perpetuating our forest resources,
whether in public or private hands, is
recognized now as never before. 1t is
that all matters pertain
ing to forest reserves, except those in
volving or pertaining TO land titles, be
in the bureau of forestry
Of the department of agriculture.
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 its judg-
nent may approve.
No other class of our citizens de- |
serves so well of the nation as those
10 whom the nation owes its very be-
ng, the veterans Of the civil war. Spe-
,ial attention is asked to the excellent
work of the pension bureau in expedit-
ng and disposing Of pension claims.
During the fiscal year ending July 1,
1903, the bureau settled 231,9S2 claims,
IN average of S25 claims for each
day of the year The number
# settlements since July 1. 1908. has
,een in excess Of last years average,
approaching 1000 claims for each
NOIklDE ud.s anu IL - btlltNtu Aliul
he work of the bureau will be current
t the close Of the present fiscal year.
Extension of Civil Service Rules.
During the year ended June 80 last
1866 persons were appointed through
ompetitve examinations under the
lyil service rules. This was 1862
lore than during the preceding year
nd 40 per cent Of those who passed
be examinations. This abnormal
rowth was largely occasioned by the
of classification to the rural
rec delivery serslce and the appoint
tent last year of over 1900 rural car
ers. A revision Of the civil service
lies took effect on April 10 last, which
as greatly improved their operation.
he completion of the reform Of the
vii service is recognized by good citi-
ms everywhere as a matter Of the
ghest public Importance, and the sue
,ss OF the merit system largely depends
pom the effectiveness Of the rules and
Ie machinery provided for their en-
rcement. a very gratifying spirit Of J
iendly cooperation exists in ali the
,partments of the government in the
lforcemeut and uniform observance 1