The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-12-07

purposes may become law.
interior Department-New Mexico and
Arizona.
The successful party in the last cleo
ton in its national platform declared
In favor of the admission as separate
states Of New Mexico and Arizona,
and I recommend that legislation ap-
propriate to this end be adopted.
urge, however. that care be exercised
in the preparation of the legislation af-
fecting each territory to secure DELHI
GRAFTON In the selection of persons as
members Of the convention to draft a
constitution for the incoming state,
and earnestly advise that such con-
stitution after adoption by the conven-
ton shall be submitted to the people of
the territory for their approval at an
election in which the sole issue shall
be the merits of the proposed consti-
tuition, and IL the constitution is de-
feated by popular vote means shall be
provided In the enabling act for a new
convention and the drafting Of a new
constitution. I think 1t vital that the
issue as to the merits of the constitu-
ton should not be mixed up with the
selection Of state officers and that no
election of state officers should be had
until after the constitution has been
fully approved and finally settled upon.
Alaska.
With respect to the territory Of Alas
ka, I recommend legislation which
shall provide for the appointment by
the president Of a governor and also
of an executive council, the members
Of which shall during their term of
office reside In the territory and which
shall have legislative powers sufficient
to enable it to give to the territory 10
cal laws adapted to its present growth.
strongly deprecate legislation looking
to the election Of a territorial legisla-
ture In that vast district. The lack Of
permanence of residence of a large
part Of the present population and the
small number Of the people who either
permanently or temporarily reside in
the district as compared with it's vast
expanse and the variety Of the inter-
ests that have to be subserved make it
altogether uniting, in my Judgment,
to provide for popular election of a
legislative body. The present system
Is not adequate and does not furnish
the character Of local control that
ought to be there. The only compro-
mise 1t seems to me which may give
needed local legislation and secure a
conservative government is the one I
propose.
Conservation Of Natural Resources.
In several departments there is pre-
scented the necessity for legislation
looking to the further conservation Of
our national resources, and the sub
ject Is one Of such importance as to
require a more detailed and extended
discussion than can be entered upon
in this communication. For that rea-
son 1 shall take an early opportunity
to send a special message to congress
on the subject Of the improvement of
our waterways, upon the reclamation
and irrigation of arid, semiarid and
swamp lands, upon the preservation
Of our forests and the reforesting Of
suitable areas, upon the reclassifica-
ton Of the public domain with a view
Of separating from agricultural settle
ment mineral, coal and phosphate
lands and sites belonging to the gov
eminent bordering on streams suitable
for the utilization of water power.
Department of Agriculture.
1 commend to your careful considera-
ton the report Of the secretary Of ag-
riculture as showing the immense
sphere Of usefulness which that de-
partment now fills and the wonderful
addition to the wealth Of the nation
made by the farmers of this country
in the crops Of the current year.
Department Of Commerce and Labor.
The Lighthouse Board.
The lighthouse board now discharges
its duties under the department of
commerce and labor. For upward Of
forty years this board has been COD
stituted Of military and naval officers
and two or three men Of science, with
such an absence Of duly constituted
executive head that It is marvellous
what work has been accomplished. In
the period OF construction the energy
and enthusiasm Of all the members
prevented the inherent defects Of the
system from interfering greatly with
the beneficial work Of the board, but
now that the work is chiefly confined
to maintenance and repair, for which
purpose the country Is divided into
sixteen districts, to which are assigned
an engineer officer of the army and an
inspector Of the navy, each with
lighthouse tender and the needed plant
for his work, it has become apparent
by the frequent friction that arises,
due to the absence of any central In
dependent authority, that there must
be a complete reorganization of the
board. 1 concede the advantage of
keeping in the system the rigidity OF
discipline that the presence Of naval
and military officers in charge insures.
but unless the presence Of such Of
fcers in the board can be made con-