Arizona republican., 1907-12-04

town and the country district. It is desirable that the country merchant should not be crushed out
 The fourth-class postmasters' con- ventiOn has passed very strong res olutidn in favor of placing the fourth class postmasters under the civil-serv- ice law The Administration has all ready put into effect the policy of re- fusing to remove any fourth class postfnasters save for reasons connected with the good of the service: and it is endeavoring so far as possible to re- move them from the doZain of par tisan politics. It would be most de- sirable thing to put the fourth-class postmasters in the classified service. It is possible that this might be done without Congressional action. but. as the matter is debatable, I earnestly recommend that the Congress enact a law providing that they be included under the civil-service law and put in the classified service.
 Oklahoma and Alaska.
 oklahoma has become a State. standing on a full equality with her elder sisters, and her future is assured by her great natural resources. The duty of the National Government to guard the personal and property rigits of the Indians within her borders re- rsains of course unchanged.
 T reiterate my recommendations of last year as regards Alaska. Some form of local self -gover/neht should be provided, as simple and inexpensive as possible; it is impossible for the Congress to devote the necessary time to all the little details of necessary Alaskan legislation. Road building and railway building should be encouraged The Governor of Alaska should be giv- en an ample appropriation wherewith to organize a force to preserve the pub lie peace. Whiskey selling to the ma tives should be made a felony. The coal land laws should be changed so as to meet the peculiar needs of the Territory. This should be attended to al once; for the present laws permit individuals to locate large areas of the public domain for speculative pur- poses; and cause an immense amount oi trouble, fraud, and litigation. There should be another judicial division es- tablished. As nearly as possible light houses and buoys should be established as aids to navigation, especially in and about Prince William Sound. and the survey of the coast completed. There is need of liberal appropriations for lighting and buoying the southern coast and improving the aids to navi- gation in southeastern Alaska. One of the great industries of Alaska, as of Puget Sound and the Columbia, is sal mon fishing. Gradually, by reason of lack of proper laws. this industry is being ruined: it should now be taken in charge. and effectively protected. by the United States Government.
 The courage and enterprise of the citizens of the far Northwest in their projected Alaska Yukon Pacific Ex- position. to be held in 1909. should re- ceive liberal encouragement. This eX- position is not sentimental in its con- ceptiOn. but seeks to exploit the nat ural resources of Alaska and to pro- mote the commerce, trade. and indus try of the Pacific States with their neighboring States and with our in sular possessions and the neighboring countries of the Pacific. The exposi- tion asks no loan from the Congress but seeks appropriations for National exhibits and exhibits of the Western dependencies of the General Govern ment. The State of Washington and the city of Seattle have shown the characteristic western enterprise in large donations for the conduct of this exposition in which other States are lending generous assistance.
 The Insular Possessions.
 The unfortunate failure of the ship ping bill at the last session of the last Congress was followed by the taking off of certain Pacific steamships, which has greatly hampered the movement of passengers between Hawaii and the mainland. Unless the Congress is pre- pared by positive encouragement to - secure proper facilities in the way of shipping between Hawaii and the mainland. then the coastwise shipping laws should be so far relaxed as to prevent Hawaii suffering as it is now suffering. I again call your attention, to the capital importance from every standpoint of making Pearl Harbor available for the largest deep water vessels, and of suitably fortifying the island
 The Secretary of War has gone to the Philippines. On his return, I shall submit to you his report on the islands.
 '1 again recommend that the rights of citizenship be conferred upon the people of Porto Rico.
 q Bureau of Mines.
 "A bureau of mines should be cre- ated under the control and direction of the Secretary of the Interior; the bu- reau to have power to collect statistics and make investigations in all matters pertaining to mining and particularly to the accidents and dangers of the in dustry. If this can not now be done, at least additional appropriations should be given the Interior Depart ment to be used for the study of min ing conditions, for the prevention of fraudulent mining schemes. for carry ing on the work of mapping the mining districts. for studying methods for minimizing the accidents and dangers in the industry; in short, to aid in all proper ways the development of the mining industry.
 National Parks.
 T strongly recommend to the Con- gress to provide funds for keeping up the Hermitage. the home of Andrew Jackson; these funds to be used through the existing Hermitage AssO- citation for the preservation of a his toric building which should ever be dear to Americans.
 'I further recommend that a naval ha aSta hlishad in tha NicL,S-