Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-11-14

are still fertile, but under the pres
emit system Of farming. in too
many instances, the spoiler is
working his way unmolested.-
Nothing but bringing within the
means Of every tiller of the soil a
knowledge of the means to pre-
serve the fertility Of bis land can
save them from failing, as have
the lands in the older states.
After concisely discussing the
constitutional power to establish
such q department, Mr.. Hollow
avs Report proceeds to examine
the question Of right and expe-
diency, and the duty Of Congress
in that behalf He says:
sSome, perhaps, may object to
the passage Of the proposed bill
on account Of its increasing the |
expenditure and multiplying the
officers of government. The re-
ply to this is, that so far as the
agricultural interest is concerned,
this ought to have been done long
ago; in other words, let the ex-
pense be what it may, within the
ability ofthe government, it sho'd
not be urged against a measure
from the advantage Of which the
anticipated benefits are SO great
that they cannot be computed.
Assuming the position declared
to be true, that the agricultural
interest Of our country is essen
tally connected with every other
and superior to them ALL your
committee deem it by no means
improper to refer to the small am
cunt which has been expended d.
rectly for its benefit in comparison
with other interests of far less i'm
portauce. Sincethe organization
ofthe government there had been
Expended directly for the benefit
Of agriculture by the government
100000. For the benefit Of
the War Department a military
school was established, and has
been maintained at an expense
of more than 100000. For
the Navy Department a school
has also been established and
conducted at an expense Of mill
ions. An expedition was fitted
out for the purpose Of exploring
the Dead Sea at an expense Of
live times the amount which has
been expended for promoting ag'
riculture. Far more money
has been expended in ornament
ing and keeping up the twenty
acres of ground around the Capt.
tol, than has been devoted to tos'
, tering that great interest which j.
superior in Importance to all o
! TIERS A larger sum has beer
: expended in statuary to adorr
: public buildings and grounds
more has been expended in thu
! simple item Of pictures; more ha
: beer expended in carpets to co
yer she floor Of the public Offices
: than has been contributed to ad
, vance that great interest whicl
, !, President Polk said should b
the object of every statesman
!, We mightrefer to many other ex
! penditures Of a similar character
!, but let these suffice. Nor woul
your committee be understood a
J. complaining Of those above motto
: ed. Their simple object is t
. suggest comparisons.
! "To the inquiry, what good
: anticipated from the creation
this department, we reply, all tina
. good which has resulted to ever
: other industrial pursuit towar
: which the energies Of mankin
. have been directed under tn
{ stimulus Of honor and reward
y The establishment Of a nation,
' observatory was once houted 9
70 as q ridiculous and wasteful our
g lay Of money; bnt who is ther
that will not admit that, undt
x the charge Of Lieutenant Maur,
L this institution has shed honoruy
70 on the country, as well as COME
red substantial benefit to tn
III commercial interests Of the whol
Of world? Thunder the judicior
y administration of the propose
s. departments, investigations sho'
l. result in securing a prevention
ar the potato rot, or a discovery
it the habits Of such insects as pre-
1T upon the cotton, tobacco, an
s, wheat crops, so as to secure thes
70 staples from destruction, the e.
he pense attending these investig'
IS tons alone will be but as a Dire
at in the bucket in comparison wi,
10 tho roor1f,n, hocofs{ov