The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1909-10-15
LAND GOMMlSS SlONfR
MAKES REPORTS.
Also Treats Of the cosefvstlea ef Re
sosrces Due csuslderstlss.

Jackson, Miss, Oct. S--tSpoe1M TO
Picayune)-State Land Commissioned
Gillespie, who has just completed the
material for his biennial report, which
is now ready for the printers, in ad-
dition to an interesting array Of statis-
tical matter pertaining to the oper-
ations Of the department., has included
the following observations on the inn
portance of the conservation of re-
sources, State and national, for the con-
sideration Of the legislature:
.There is no subject Of wider or
greater interest than that Of . conser-
vatioR of resources State and national.
Heretofore, only the national topic has
engrossed the public attention and dis
cussion. The splendid work Of the Ma
tional Forestry Bureau, undcr the ad-
ministration Of Mr.. Pinchot, the infor-
nation given to the world through the
administration of the national conser-
vation congresses; the reports Of pos
sibilities to be realized from cOnserva-
tion policies, often as wonderful as an
Alladin's lamp story; the new but in
tensely interesting accounts of the aw-
full waste and destruction of resources
and values which have occurred have
all appealed powerfully to the feelings
and profound interest of the people Of
our country. l am safe in asserting
that no one subject connected with or
growing out of natural conditions, nat
ural wealth or the sources Of great val
ues to the country at large or to sue
ceeding generations of Americans is
commanding more attention in America
than the subject Of the saving Of nat
ural wealth and resources. And we'll it
is that this is true. No country OF the
created universe was more blessed with
elements and possessions of natural
wealth than the territory Of the United
States.
''God vouchsafed to this continent all
the riches and richness Of soils, air, wa
ters, climates, fertile lands, valleys,
prairies, deltas, uplands, climates from
temperate to tropical, wide rivers and
streams carrying life through all lads
like arteries through the fair human
body. In the air, in the waters, on sea
and land and under the land stores Of
vast wealth were provided for millions
of people throughout many generations.
But, as people, we have been wasteful
and profgate Of our heritage. Itesbould
be . matter of sincere happiness to ev-
cry patriotic and thoughtful American
citizen, North and South, East and
West, that at this day, and before the
evil and exhaustion is not wholly ir-
remedial, the national thought and the
national authority is being directed to
the conservation and preservation from
destruction of the wealth of nature that
may still be saved to the country and
it's people.
1.-THE subject of the conservation Of
natural wealth and resources has thus
far been considered only by national
authority, and only from standpoint
of national administration.
"But why should the subject be con-
fined or delegated to the national ad-
ministrations and be exercised only
with respect to government posses.
sions?
"Why should not Mississippi enact
and follow policy OF the conservation
of the wealth and RESOURCES of the
State for the benefit Of present and fu-