Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-07

to favor IN all proper ways the Louisiana
Purchase Exposition. This Exposition
comnemorates the Louisiana purchase.
pansion which made us a continental ma
| ton. The expedition Of Lewis and Clark
across the continent followed thereon,
| ana marked the beginning of the process
OF exploration and colonization which
thrust our national boundaries to the Pa
clnc. The acquisition of the Oregon coun-
try, including the present States OF Ore
gon and Washington, was a fact OF Inn
mense Importance in our history; first
giving us our place on the Pacific sea-
Doaro: ana making ready the way for our
ascendency in the commerce of the great
| est OF the oceans.
! Lewis and Clark Exposition.
The centennial Of our establishment
upon the western coast by the expedition
Of Lewis and Clark is to be celebrated at
Portland. Oregon, by an exposition in the
summer Of 1908. and this event should re-
ceive recognition and support from the
National Government.
Development of Alaska.
I call your special attention to the Ter
ritory of Alaska. The country is develop
ing rapidly. and it has an assured future.
The mineral wealth is great and has as yet
hardly been tapped. The fisheries. If WISE
~ handled and kept under national control
! Will be business as permanent as any
| otner, ana of the utmost Importance to the
| people The forests If properly guarded will
form another great source of wealth. Por-
| lions of Alaska are fitted for farming and
I STOCK raising, although the methods must
De adapted to the peculiar conditions of
| the country Alaska is situated in the far
n n; put SO are Norway and Sweden and
| flnland; and Alaska can prosper and play
Its 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 location and
| secure patent under methods kindred to
| those now prescribed for homestead and
| mineral entrymen. Salmon hatcheries, ex-
| ciusiveiy under Government control, should
| be established.
The cable should be extended from sitka
westward. Wagon roads and trails should
| be built. and the building of railroads pro-
NOTED In all legitimate ways. Lighthouses
shouid be built along the coast. Attention
should be paid to the needs Of the Alaska
Indians; provision should be made for an
omcer, with deputies to study their needs
relieve their immediate wants, and help
tnem adapt themselves to the new condi-
| tons.
Alaskan Salmon Fisheries.
The commission appointed to investigate,
during the season Of 1903 the condition and
needs OF the Alaskan salmon fisheries, has
| finished its work In the field and Is pre-
pairing detailed report thereon. A prelim-
| 1rary report reciting the measures imme-
diately required for the protection and
preservation of the salmon industry has al
ready been submitted to the Secretary Of
commerce and Labor for his attention and
for the needed action.
Hawaii.
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 ex-
pended for lighthouses. The governor
should be empowered to suspend or remove
any official appointed by him, without SUBJ
hitting the matter to the legislature.
The Philippines and Porto Rico.
Or our insular possessions the Philip
pines and Porto Rico it 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
tarlH arrangements. 1t would, OF course,
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 gov
ernmental agents, and the entire elimina-
ton of partisan politics from the public
service. The condition Of the islanders Is
in material things far better than ever be-
fore. while their governmental Intellectual
and moral advance has kept pace with
their material advance. No one people ever
benefited another people more than we have
benefited the Filipinos by taking possess
sion Of the islands.
Receipts Of General Land Office.
The cash receipts Of the General Land
Office for the fiscal year were $11 ,O24, 743. 65,
an increase Of 81. 762 .S16.47 over the preced-
ing year. OF this sum, approximately, 49,
461. 493 will go to the credit Of the fund for
the reclamation Of arid land, making the
total Of this fund. up to the 30th of June.
1903, approximately. SIG, 191. 1886.
Unlawful Enclosures Of Public Lands.
A gratifying disposition has been evinced
by those having unlawful Enclosures of pub
lie land to remove their fences. Nearly
two million acres so inclosed have been
thrown open on demand. In but compare
lively few cases has 1t been necessary to
go into court to accomplish this purpose.
This work will be vigorously prosecuted
until all unlawful Enclosures have been re-
moved.
Revision Of Public Land Laws.
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 prac-
tice no longer meet the present needs. The
character and uses OF the remaining public
lands differ 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 a correspond
ing increase in home building. There Is
tendency to mass in large holdings public
lands, especially timber and grazing lands,
and thereby to retard settlement. l renew
and emphasize my recommendation OF last
year that so far they are available for
agriculture in its broadest sense. and to
whatever extent they may be reclaimed I'M
der the national irrigation law. the remain