Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-07


 last than ln any like per1oo Tn the de- partment's history. While a due re- gard to economy must be kept in mind In the establishment of new routes, yet the extension of the rural free delivery system must be continued for reasons of sound public policy. No govern mental movement of recent years has resulted in greater immediate benefit to the people of the country districts Rural free delivery, taken in connec- ton with the telephone, the bicycle and the trolley, accomplishes much toward lessening the isolation of farm life and making it brighter and more attractive. In the immediate past the lack of just such facilities as these has driven many of the more active and restless young men and women from the farms liness and lack of mental companion ship. 1t is unhealthy and undesirable fer the cities to grow at the expense of the country, and rural free delivery is not only good thing in itself, but is good because 1t is one of the causes which check this unwholesome tenden- cy toward the urban concentration of our population at the expense of the country districts. It is for the same reason that we sympathiZe with and approve of the policy of building good roads. The movement for good roads is one fraught with the greatest benefit to the country districts.
 I trust that the congress will con- tinus to favor in all proper ways the Louisiana Purchase exposition This exposition commemorates the Louisi- ana purchase, which was the first great step in the expansion which made us a continental nation. The expedition of Lewis and Clark across the continent followed thereon and marked the be- ginning of the process of exploration and colonization which thrust our na- ttonal boundaries to the Pacific. The acquisition of the Oregon country, in- cluding the present states of Oregon and Washington, was fact of inn mense importance in our history, first giving us our place on the Pacific sea- board and making ready the way for our ascendency in the commerce of the greatest of the oceans. The centennial of our establishment upon the western coast by 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 support from the na- ti0nal government
 DEVELOPMENT OF ALASKA
 I call your special attention to the territory of Alaska. The country is de veloping rapidly, and it has an assured future. The mineral wealth is great and has as yet hardly been tapped, The fisheries if wisely handled and kept un- der national control will be a business as permanent as any other and of the utmost importance to the people. The forests if properly guarded will form another great source of wealth. Por- tions of Alaska are fitted for farming and stock raising, although the meth ods must be adapted to the peculiar conditions of the country. Alaska is sit uated in the far north, but so are Nor way and Sweden and Finland. 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. Goal land laws should be provided whereby the coal land entryman may make his location and secure patent under methods kim dred to those now prescribed for home stead and mineral entrymerG Salmon hatcherfes exclusively under govern ment control should be established. The cable should be extended from Sitka westward Wagon roads and trails should be built and the building of rail- roads promoted in all legitimate ways coast. no&HHss &ffentioHHu tiHuh ushoSEId be paid to the needs of the Alaska Indians Provision should be made for an officer, with dep uties, to study their needs, relieve their immediate wants and help them adapt themselves to the new conditions.
 The commission appointed to invesu, gate during the season of 1903 the con- dition and needs of the Alaskan salmon fisheries has finished it's work in the field and is preparing detailed report thereon A preliminary report reciting the measures immediately required for the protection and preservation of the salmon industry has already been sub mitted to the secretary of commerce and labor for his attention and for the needed action
 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 mat ter to the legislature.
 PHILIPPINES AND PORTO RICO.
 Of our insuiar possessions the Phil. ippines and Porto Rico it is gratifying to say that their steady progress has been such as to make it unnecessary to spend much time in discussing them, yet the congress should ever keep in