The Hawaiian gazette., 1903-12-18

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
recommended that all matters pertain.
ing to forest reserves, except those in.
volving or pertaining to land titles, be
consolidated In the bureau of forestry
Of the department of agriculture.
Tho cotton growing states have re-
Gently been invaded by wcevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry. suggest
to the congress the prompt enactment
Of such remedial legislation rs Its judg.
vnant NAV opprOye
No other class OF our citizens de-
serves so well Of the nation as those
to whom the nation owes its very be.
ing, the veterans of the civil war. Spe-
cial attention IL asked to the excellent
work of the pension bureau In expedit.
ing and disposing of pension claims.
During the fiscal year ending July i,
1908, the bureau settled 251,9S2 claims,
an average Of S25 claims for each
working day Of the year. The number
of settlements since July 1, 1908, has
been in excess of last years average,
approaching 1000 claims for each
working day. and 1t is believed that
the work of the bureau will be current
at the close of the present fiscal year.
Extension OF CiNh serNbcc n"hSS'
During the year ended June 80 last
25.566 persons were appointed through
competitive examinations under the
civil service rules. This was 1877
more than during the preceding year
and 40 per cent Of those who passed
the examinations. This abnormal
growth was largely occasioncd by the
extension of classification to the rural
free delivery service and the appoint
ment last year of over 5000 rural car
riers. A revision Of the civil service
rules took effect on April 10 last, which
has greatly improved their operation
The completion of the reform of the
civil service is recognized by good cit.
zens everywhere as matter Of the
highest public importance, and the sue
cess of the merit system largely depends
upon the effectiveness of the rules and
the macldnery provided for their en-
forcement. A very gratifying spirit Of
friendly cooperation exists in all the
departments Of the government in the
enforcement and uniform observance
Of both the letter and spirit Of the civil
! service act.
The Army and Navy.
| The effect of the laws providing q
general staff for the army and for the
more effective use of the national guard
has been excellent. Great improve
| ment has been made in the efficiency
of our army in recent years. Sucl
schools as those erected at Fort Leav
enworth and Fort Riley and the insti
tuition of fall maneuver work accom-
plish satisfactory results. The good eff
feet of these maneuvers upon the ma
tional guard is marked, and ample ap
preparation should be made to enable
! the guardsmen of the several states tC
share in the benefit. The government
| should as soon as possible secure suit
able permanent camp sites for military
mancuvers in the various sections Of
the country.
l heartily congratulate the congress!
upon the steady progress in building
| up the American navy. We canno
afford let-up in this great work. Il,
stand still means to 80 back. There
should be no cessation in adding to til,
effective units of the fighting strength
of the fleet. Meanwhile the navy de
partment and the officers of the nav.
are doing well their part by providing
constant service at sea under condi
tons akin to those Of actual warfare
Our officers and enlisted men are learn
ing to handle the battleships, cruiser
and torpedo boats with high efliclenc.
In fleet and squadron formations, ant
the standard of craftsmanship Is beinl
steadily raised. The best work ashor
is Indispensable, but the highest dut.
of naval officer is to exercise com
mand Mt sea. 1t is eminently desirable
that a naval general staff should b.
established.
Isthmian Canal.
BY the act Of June %, 1902, the con
gress authorized the president to ente
into treaty with Colombia for thu
building of the canal across the 18th
mus Of Panama, 1t being provided tina
in the event of failure to secure sucl
treaty after the lapse Of a reasonable
time recourse should be had to build
ing canal through Nicaragua. II ha
| not ham pacaccarv IN onpaiIar fbia aI