The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-12-10
DEPARTMENT MATTERS.


1t has been my purpose from the begin
ming Of my administration to take the
Indian service completely out of the at
anosphere of political activity, and there
has been steady progress toward that end.
The last remaining stronghold Of politics
an that. service was the agency system,
gradually falling to pieces from natural
or purely evolutionary causes. but, like
all such, survivals. was ~decaying slowly
extinction had better be made ina now,
so that the ground can be cleared Tor
larger constructive work on behalf Of
the Indians, preparatory to their induce
dion INTO the fun measure OF responsible
citizenship. On November / only Is agen-
cies were left on the roster; with two
exceptions. where some legal questions
seemed to stand temporarily in the way,
these have been changed to superintend-
encies. and their heads brought into the
ciassirted civil service.
Postal Savings Banks.
again renew my recommendation for
postal savings banks, for depositing saw
5ngs with the security of the government
behind them. The object is to encourage
thrift and economy in the wage-earner and
person of moderate means. In fourteen
states the deposits in savings banks as re-
ported to. the comptroller OF the currency
amount to $3.50. 2i5, 4o2, or 9S.4 per cent Of
the entire deposits, while in the remaining
" states there are only $40, Sos, 543. or Is
per cent, showing conclusively that there
are many, localities in the United States
where sufficient opportunity is not given
10 the people to deposit their savings. The
unemployed. 1t is believed that in the ag-
gregate vast sums of money would be
brought into circulation through the in
While there are only 1,453 savings banks
reporting to the comptroller there are more
thar $1,000 postoffices. 10000 Of which are
money order offices. Postal savings banks
are now in operation in practically all the
great civilized countries with the eXcep-
zion of the United States.
Parcels Post.
In my last annual message I mme
ed the postmaster generals recommended
zion for an extension of the parcel post on
the rural routes. The establishment of a
local parcel post on rural routes would DO
40 the mutual benefit Of the farmer and
she country storekeeper. and it is desir-
able that the routes, serving more than
is, co. 600 people, should be utilized to the
fullest practicable. extent. An amend
Inent was proposed in the Senate at the
last session, at the suggestion Of the post
purpose of ascertaining the practicability
OF establishing a special local parcel post
system on the rural routes throughout the
United States, the postmaster general be
authorized and directed to experiment and
report to the congress the result Of such
experiment by establishing a special local
routes In not to exceed four counties in
the United States for packages of fourth
class matter originating on a rural route
or at the distributing postofice for deliv-
cry by rural carriers. 1t would seem only
proper that such an experiment should be
tried in order to demonstrate the practical
,billty of the proposition, especially as the
postmaster general estimates that the rev.
.enue from the operation of such a system
ION all the rural routes would amount to
many million dollars.
Education.
The share that the national government
Should take in the broad work of educa-
Won has not received the attention and the
care 1t rightly deserves. The immediate
responsibility for the support and improve
rent of our educational systems and in
stitutions rests and should always rest
with the people of the several states act
ing through their state and local govern
.rnents, but The ration has an opportunity
I'm educational work which must not be
lost and a duty which should no longer
be neglected.
The national bureau Of education was
established more than 40 years ago. With
the limited means hitherto provided, it
has rendered efficient service, but the con-
lgreSS has neglected to adequately supply
the bureau with means to meet the educa-
ltional growth of the country.
j earnestly recommend that this unfort-
tunate state of affairs as regards the ma
ttional educational Office be re1nedied by
adequate appropriations. This reconmen-
Fdation is urged by the representatives of
our common schools and great state uni
Nefsities and the leading educators, who
all unite in requesting favorable consider
alton and action by the congress upon this
subject.
Census.
I strongly urge that the request Of tire
director of the census In connection with
the ~decennial work SO soon to be begun, be
compiled with and that the appointments
civil service law waving the geographical
requirements as requested by the director
of the census. The supervisors and emu
nsrstors should not be appointed under