Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1903-12-14

of the islanders Is in material things
far better than ever b, fore, 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
recommended that all matters pertain
|
volving or pertaining to land titles, be
consolidated in the bureau Of forestry
of the department of agriculture.
The cotton growing states have re-
Gently been invaded by weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry. | suggest
to the congress the prompt enactment
of such remedial legislation as it's judg-
ment may approve.
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 is asked to the excellent
work of the pension bureau in eXpedit-
ing and disposing Of pension claims.
During the fiscal year ending July l,
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 it is believed that
the work of the bureau will be current
at the close of the present fiscal year.
Extension of Civil Service Rules.
During the year ended June 80 last
%, 566 persons were appointed through
competitive examinations under the
civil service rules. This was 12.6l2
more than during the preceding year
and 40 per cent of those who passed
the examinations. This abnormal
growth was largely occasioned by the
{ | oIo q %o %6o
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 Is last. which
: has greatly improved their operation.
. The completion of the reform of the
| civil service is recognized by good citi-
; Zens everywhere as a matter of the
highest public Importance, and the sue
cess of the merit system largely depends
upon the effectiveness of the rules and
the machinery provided for their en-
. forcement. very gratifying spirit OF
T. 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
q feet of these maneuvers upon the ma
a tional guard is marked, and ample ap
!, preparation should be made to enabl,
- the guardsmen of the several states t.
share in the benefit. The government
a should as soon as possible secure suit
\ able permanent camp sites for militar.
"a maneuvers in the various sections O
u the country.
=, l heartily congratulate the congress
n upon the steady progress in buildin;
o. up the American navy. We canno
N afford let-up in this great work. II
n stand still means to go back. Their
4 should be no cessation in adding to tn
=, effective units of the fighting strengtl
"a of the fleet. Meanwhile the navy de
,o partment and the officers of the nav,
to are doing well their part by providing
~ constant service at sea under cond
40 tons akin to those of actual warfare
- Our officers and enlisted men are learn
~ ing to handle the battleships, cruiser
.ir and torpedo boats with high efficienc
r. in fleet and squadron formations, an
no the standard of craftsmanship is bein
steadily raised. The best work ashor
is Indispensable. but the highest dut
:" of naval officer is to exercise con
- mand at sea. 1t is eminently desirabl
" that a naval general staff should b
~ established.
Isthmian Canal.
~ By the act of June %, 1902, the col