Bisbee daily review., 1904-02-06

the entire cotton Industry. I suggest to the congress the prompt enactment of such remedial legislation as its 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 1, 1903, the bureau settled 251.9S2 claims. an average of S25 claims for each working day of the year. The number of settlements since July l. 1905, 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 30 last 25,566 persons were appointed through competitive examinations under the civil service rules. This was 12,672 | and 40 per cent of those who passed the examinations. This abnormal growth was largely occasioned 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 15 last, which tmnrnuAd hni The completion of the reform of the civil service is recognized by good citi- Lens everywhere as matter of the highest pCblic 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 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 a general staff for the army and for tine more effective use of the national guard
 
 ment has been made in the efficiency of our army in recent years Such schools as those erected at Fort Leav. enworth and Fort Riley and the insti- tuition of fall maneuver work accom- piish satisfactory results. The good ef- feet of these maneuvers upon the na- honal guard is marked. and ample ap- y-fasff Ch Do ,lz the guardsmen of the several states to share in the benefit. The government should as soon as possible secure suit able permanent camp sites for military maneuvers in the various sections of the country.
 l heartily congratulate the congress upon the steady progress in building up the American navy. We cannot afford let-up in this great work To stand still means to go back There should be no cessation in adding to the effective units of the fighting strength of the fleet Meanwhile the navy de- pertinent and the officers of the navy are doing well their part by providing constant service at sea under condi- tions akin to those of actual warfare Our officers and enlisted men are learn ing to handle the battieships. cruisers and torpedo boats with high efficiency in fleet and squadron formations. and tte standard of marksmanship is being steadily raised. The best work ashore ls indispensable, but the highest duy of d naval officer is to exercise cons mand at sea It is eminently desirable that naval general staff should be established.
 Relations With China.
 The signing of a new commercial treaty with China, which took place at