The semi-weekly messenger., 1907-12-06

workingmen their earnings; all of
which money has been withheld and
kept In hiding or in the safe de-
posit box TO the detriment of pros
perity. Through the agency of the
postal savings banks such money
would be restored TO the channels
OF trade. to the mutual benefit OF
capital and labor.
| further commend TO the con-
gress the consideration OF the Post
master-General's recommendation for
an extension OF the parcel post. es-
pecially on the rural routes. There
are now 3S.215 rural routes. sery-
ing nearly 100000 people who
do not have the advantages OF the
inhabitants OF cities in obtaining
their supplies. These recommenda-
tions have been drawn up TO bene-
fit the farmer and the country store
keeper; otherwise, ! should not IA
vor them. for ! believe that it is
good policy for our government TO
do everything possible TO aid the
small town and the country district.
II is desirable that the country mer-
chant should not be crushed out
The fourth-class postmasters' con-
vention has passed very strong res
Olution in favor OF placing the
fourth-class postmasters under the
civfl-service law. The administration
has already put into effect the poll
cy of refusing TO remove any fourth
class pOStmaSterS save for reasons
connected with the good of the ser
vice; and ii is endeavoring so far
as possible TO remove them from the
domain of partisan politics. 1t would
be a most desirable thing to put the
fourth-class postmasters in the class
flied service. 1t is possible that this
might be done without congressional
action, but, as the matter Is debat-
able, | 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.
Oklahoma has become a state,
standing on a full equality with her
elder sisters, and her future is as
sured by her great natural resources.
The duty Of the national govern
ment to guard the personal and
property rights of the Indians with
in her borders remains of course un-
changed.
ALASKA
! reiterate my recommendation of
last year as regards Alaska. Some
form OF local self-government should
be provided. IS simple and mex
pensive as possible; it is impossible
for the congress to devote the neces-
sary time to all the little details of
necessary Alaskan legislation. Road
building and railway building should
be encouraged. The governor of
Alaska should be given an am3'e ar-
prOpriatiOn WhereWith to organize q
force to preserve the public peace.
Whiskey selling TO the natives should
be made a felony. The coal land
laws should be changed so as to
meet the peculiar needs Of the terri
tory This should be attended to at
once; for the present laws permit
individuals to locate large areas of
the public domain for speculative
purposes; and cause an immense
amount of trouble, fraud, and liti
cation. There should be another ju
dicial division established. AS early
as possible lighthouses and buoys
should be established as aids to nav
igation, espec. ally in and about
Prince William Sound, and the sur
vey of the coast completed. There
is need of liberal appropriations for
coast and improving the aids to
navigation in southeastern Alaska.
One of the great industries of Alas
ka, as of Puget Sound and the Co
lumbia, is salmon fishing. Gradu-
ally, by reason of lack Of proper
laws, this industry is being ruined;
it sFC",d now be taken in charge,
and effectively protected, by the
United States @0-a = ~nent.
The cOulaCc and enterprise of the
citizens Of the far northwest in their
projected Alaska eX-
position, to he he'd in 1909, should
receive liberal "uCOuragement. This
exposition is not sentimental in its
conception. but cecl,S to exploit the
natural resources Of Alaska and to
promote the commerce, trade, and
industry Of the Pacific states with
their :'eighboring states and with
our insuIar possessions and the
neighbOring countries Of the Pacific.
The exposition asks no loan from
the congress, hut seeks appropria-
tiOns for natiCna! exhibits and eXhi
. bits Of the western dependencies of
the general government. The state
Of Washington and the city of Sc
attla have shown the characteristic
western tiCSI PRISE III ldI &c 0OHd-
tions for the conduct of this expo
sition in which other states are lend
ing generous assistance.
HAWAII.
The unfortunate failure of the
shipping bill at the last session OF
the last congress was followed by
the taking off of certain Pacific
steamships, which has greatly ham
pered the movement of passengers
between Hawaii and the mainland.
Unless the congress is prepared by
positive encouragement to secure
proper facilities in the way Of ship
ping between Hawaii and the main
land, then the coastwise shipping
laws should be so far relaxed as TO
prevent Hawaii suffering as ii is now
suffering. l again call your atten-
tion to the capital Importance from
every standpoint of making Pearl