Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1905-12-14

this result could be attained by add
ing single battleship to our navy
each year
There is urgent need of a large in
crease in the number of officers and
enlisted men.
Recent naval history, according to
the president, has emphasized the fact
that the main strength of the navy
lies, and can only lie, in the battle
ships The important part played in
the naval conflict by torpedo boat de-
stroyers, submarines. scouts and fast
cruisers is also pointed out
The Importance of revising our sys-
tenn OF naturalizing aliens is strongly
urged, as is also revision of the Grim
inal laws of the United States.
Legislation providing for suitable
punishment for breaches of trust in
public service is urgently recommend
ed.
Public Land Laws.
The president again calls attention
to the condition of the public land
laws. He says that the ubiquitous
methods by which the monopolizing
of the public lands is being brought
about under the present laws ar> he
coming more generally known, \ It
the existing laws do not furnish effec-
tive remedies. He says the recon-
mendations of the public lands com
mission upon this subject are wise and
should be given effect
Civil Service.
The president says that any attempt
to carry on the great executive depart
ments of the government without the
civil service law would inevitably re-
suit in chaos The civil service COM
missioners are doing excellent work;
and their compensation is inadequate
considering the service they perform
Concluding on this subject, he says:
The civil service law is being ener-
geticallly and impartially enforced,
and in the large majority of cases
complaints of violations of either the
law or rules are discovered to be I'M
founded. The question of politics in
the appointment and retention of the
men engaged in merely ministerial
work has been practically eliminated
in almost the entire field of govern
ment employment covered by the civil
service law"
The Philippines.
During the last year the Philippine
islands have been slowly recovering
from the series of disasters which,
since American occupation, have great
ly reduced the amount Of agricultural
products below what was produced in
Spanish times. The war, the rinder.
pest, the locusts, the drougt1. and the
cholera have been united as causes
to prevent return of the prosperity
much needed in the islands The most
serious is the destruction by the rim
derpest of more than Is per cent of
the draft cattle. The income of the
Philippine government has necessarily
been reduced by reason of the bust.
ness and agricultural depression and
the government has been obliged to
exercise great economy. The transfer
of the friar lands has been effected,
Tranquility has existed during the
past year throughout the archipelago,
except in the province of Cavite, the
province OF Samar, and in the island
OF Jolo among the Moros. The dis.
turbances have all now been supp1 sss.
ed. The most encouraging feature of
the whole situation has been the very
great interest taken by the common
people in education.
The president earnestly recon.
mends that the tariff now imposed by
the Dingley bill upon the the products
OF the Philippine islands, be entirely
removed, exce.1t the tariff on sugar
and tobacco, and that that tariff be re.
duced to rs per cent Of the present
rates; that after July 1, 1909, the tar.
If On sugar and tobacco produced il,
the Philippine islands be entirely re.
moved, and that free trade het#ean
the islands and the United States in
the products of each country then he
provided for by law.
In the judgment of the president
immediate steps should be taken for
the fortification of Hawaii.
Admission to Statehood.
The president recommends that In.
dian Territory and Oklahoma be ad.
mitted as one state and that New Mex.
leo anS Arizona be admitted as one
state
The Panama Canal.
The American people is pledged to
the spec Nest possible construction of
canal adequate to meet the demands
which the commerce of the world will
make upon it, and | appeal most ear.
nestly to congress to aid in the full.
fillment of the pledge. Gratifying
progress has been made during the
past year, and especially during the
past four months. The greater part
OF the necessary preliminary work has
been done. The work of sanitation
has been thoroughly accomplished
What is needed now and without
RI 1Nry