The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-12-11
throughout the empire, and to introduce
other desirable administrative reforms.
Rnrnl Free DeIiYerY

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-
peclaliy on the new rural free-delivery
routes, More routes have been Installed
since the first of July last thar in any
IKE period In the departments history.
ken a Que regard to economy must be
routes, yet the extension of the rural
sree-deltyery system must be continued,
LOT reasons of sound public policy. No
governmental movement of recent years
mas resulted In greater immediate benefit
70 the people of the country districts.
hural free delivery. taken in connection
trolley, accompllshes much toward les
SEEMING the isolation of farm life and
making it brighter and more attractive.
International Expositfons.@
! trust that the congress will continue
% favor In all proper ways the Louisiana
memorates the Louisiana purchase. which
was the first great step in the expansion
winch made us a continental nation. The
expedition OF Lewis and Clark across the
continent followed thereon, and marked
the beginning of the process of exploration
ana eolonization which thrust our national
boundaries to the Pacific. The acquisition
OF the Oregon country, including the pres
ent states OF Oregon and Washington, was
q TACT Of immense Importance in our his
toTy; frst giving US our place on the. Pa
enc seaboard,. and making ready the way
Tor our ~ascendency In the commerce of the
greatest Of the oceans. The centennial of
our establishment upon the western coast
py the expedition of Lewis and Clark is
to be celebrated at Portland, Ore, by an
exposition in the summer of 1905. and this
event should receive recognition and sup
port from the national government.
Our Insu1ar Possessions.
I recommend that an appropriation be
made for building lighthouses in Hawaii,
and taking possession Of those already
bursed for whatever amounts it has al
ready expended for lighthouses. The
governor should be empowered to sus-
him, without submitting the matter to
the legislature.
OF our insular possessions the Philip
say that their steady progress has been
such as to make it unnecessary to spend
much time In discussing them. Yet the
a peculiar obligation rests upon us to
further in every way the welfare of
these communities. III Philippines
rangements. 1t would. of course, be I'M
suddenly to raise the people OF
the islands to the high pitch Of Industrial
to which they viii 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
~. Scrupulous care has been taken in
the choice of governmental agents, and
the entire iminatio Of partisan politics
of the islanders is in material things far
better than ever before, while their gov
ernmental. Intellectual and moral I'd
vance has kept pace with their material
advance. No one people ever benefited
another people more than we a bene-
fitted the Filipinos by taking possession
of the islands.
The Public Lands.
a gratifying disposition has been
closures of public land to remove their
fences. Nearly 100000 acres so in
closed have been thrown open on demand
conap!ish 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
laws and the resulting administrative
practice no longer meet the present needs.
The character and uses of the remaining
the public lands which congress had es-
in view when these laws were
passed. The rapidly increasing rate of
by a corresponding increase in
building. There is a tendency to
mass in large holdings public lands. es-
to retard settlement. I renew
and emphasize my recommendation of
last year that SO far as they are available
to whatever extent they may b. re-
claimed under the national irrigation law,
the remaining public lands should be held
rigidly for the home builder The atten-
to the timber and stone Law, the
desert-land law. and the commutation
their operat!on nave in many respects
with wise public-land policy.
discussions in the congress and else
where have made it evident that there is
those holding opposite views IN these
sasjjsStts; aid that opposing sides
ave strong and convinced representa-
the congress-: the differences being not
only as to matters of opinion but as to
matters of fact. In ordsrSsthat definite
of the congress, I have appointed "a COM
mission composed of w. A.. Richards,
of the general land office;
of the department of agricul-
ture. and F. H. Newell, chief hydrogra-
pher of the geological survey. to report
the condition, operation and effect of the
present land laws and on the use, con-
dition, disposal n settlement of the
public lands. The commission will report
what changes in organization,
laws, regulations and practice affecting
the public lands are needed to effect. the
practicable disposition of the pub
lie lands to actual settlers who will build
permanent homes upon them, and to SCI
cure in permanence the fullest and most
use of the of the ub-
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
~ upon those points concerning which
It's Judgment is clear: on any point upon
which 1T has doubt it will take the time
necessary to make investigation and
a final judgment.
The Army and Navy.
The effect of the laws providing a gen
eral staff for the army and for the more
use Of the national guard has
been excellent. Great Improvement has
been made in the efficiency of our army
in recent years. Sue schools as those
erected at Fort Leavenworth and Fort
Riley and the institution of fall maneuver
work accomplish satisfactory results.
The good effectsof these maneuyers upon
the national guard is marked, and ample
appropriation should be made to enable
the guardsmen of the several states to
share In the benefit. The government
should as soon as possible secure suitable
permanent camp sites for military man
etrVers inthe various sections of the
country. The service thereby rendered
not only to the regular army, but to the
guard of the several states, will
be so great as to repay many times over