Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1907-12-13
The Pan,m. Canal

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The Panama Canal.
work on the Panama canal IL proceed
ing IN a highly satisfactory manner.
IN March the total excavation In the
Sutepra cut, where effort was chiefly con-
Gemsra,ed, was Sl5,N0 cubic yards. In
April this was increased to S79, 527 cubic
yaras. There was a considerable decrea Sc
IN the output for May and June owing
party TO the advent Of the rainy season
ana partly to temporary trouble with the
steam shovel men over the question of
wages; The trouble was settled salts
iaclorily to all parties and in July the to-
Ia "a excavation advanced materially and
"a August the grand total from all points
"a me canal prism by steam shovels and
dredGes exceeded all previous United
states records. reaching 1.z74.4o4 cubic
eclipsed and a total of 1917, Az cubic
yards was removed. OF this amount I,4S1.-
oVI cubic yards were from the canal prism
and 900 cubic yards were from Access
sorry works. These results were achieved
IN the rainy season with a rainfall In Au-
gust OF l1.S9 inches and in September of
m:so inches. Finally. in October. the rec
walton being 1865, 729 cubic yards; a truly
extraordinary record. especially in view
inches
1t is the unanimous opinion of the pres
ent commission that the work can be done
better. more cheaply, and more quickly by
the government than by private contract
The chief engineer and all his profes-
sional associates are firmly convinced that
the eighty-hve feet level lock canal which
oney are constructing is the best that
doubts on this point when they went to
the isthmus. AS the plans have developed
under their direction their doubts have
oeen alspelled; While they may decide
upon changes in detail as construction ad-
vances they are in hearty accord in ap-
proving the general plan. They believe
that IL provides a canal not only adequate
10 all demands that will be made upon II.
but superior IN every way 20 a sea level
canal. l concur in this belief.
Postal Affairs.
l commend to the favorable consideration
OIL Inc congress "A postal savings bank
system, as recommended by the postmas-
yer general. The primary object is to en-
outrage among our people economy and
thflft and by the use OF postal savings
banks 10 give them an opportunity to
husband their resources. particularly
nose VINO have not the facilities at hand
LOT ueposltlng their money in savings
banks. Viewed, however, from the eXpe-
Renee OF the past few weeks, ii Is evident
Ihdt me advantages of such an institution
are stu more far-reachlng. Timid depos-
ltors have withdrawn their savings tor
the time being from national banks, trust
companies, and savings banks; individuals
nave hoarded their cash and the working
men thelf earnings; all OF which money
mas peen withheld and kept in hiding or in
the safe deposit box, to the detriment of
prosperity. Through the agency of the
postal savings banks such money would
pc restored to the channels Of trade, TO
the mutual benefit of capital and labor.
L lurthef to the congreSs the
consideration Of the postmaster generals
recommendation for an extension Of the
parcel post, especially on the rural routes.
There are now 3S,2l5 rural routes, serving
nearly l5,UU,WD people who do not have
tHe advantages of the inhabitants Of cities
! IN OnIHln1nV thair GhnnEHG ThnGn rarnn-
nendat!ons have been drawn up to benefit
the farmer and the country Storekeeper;
otherwise, 1 should not favor them, for i
believe that It is good policy for our gov
eminent TO do everything possible TO aid
the small town and the country district.
1t Is desirable that the country merchant
should NOT be crushed out.
II would be a most desirable thlng 10
put the fourth-class postmasters III the
CLASSIFIED service.
Bureau of Mines.
l again recommend that the rights Of
citizenship be conferred upon the people
Of Porto Rico.
a bureau Of mines should be created
under the control and direction OF the
secretary Of the interior; the bureau TO
have power to collect statistics and make
Investigations in all matters pertaining TO
mining, and particularly TO the accidents
and dangers of the industry.
Legislation should be enacted at the
present session of the congress for the
thirteenth census.
Appropriate tons on Campaigns.
Under our form of government voting is
not merely a right, but a duty, and, more
over, a Fundamental and necessary duty
IL a man is to be a good citizen. 1t Is well
TO provide that corporations shall not con-
tribute to presidential or national cam
paigns, and Furthermore to provide Tor
the publication Of both contributions and
expenditures. There is, however, always
danger In laws OF this kind, which from
their very nature are difficult or ENFORCE
ment; the danger being lest they be
obeyed only BY the honest, and disobeyed
by the INSCRIPTIONS, so as to act only as
a penalty upon honest men. Moreover, no
such law would hamper an unscrupulouS
man of means from puylng ms
own way into office. There Is q very rad
ical measure which would, l believe. work
a substantial Improvement in our system
Of conducting a campaign, although / am
well aware that il Will take some time Ior
people SO to familiarize themselves with
such n proposal as TO be WILING 10 con-
slider its adoption.
The need for collecting large cam I:
paign funds would vanish TX congress
provided all appropriation Tor me
proper and legitimate expenses or each
of the great national parties, an appro-
priation ample enough 10 meet the
necessity for thorough organization !:
and machinery, which requires a large
expenditure OF money. Then the stlpu-
lation should be made That no party
receiving campaign FUNDS from the
treasury should accept more than a
fixed amount from any individual SUB
scribcr or donor; and the necessary
publicity for receipts and expenditures /:
could without difficulty be provided.