The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-09-17
Mr.. Commissioner Newton.

Mr.. Commissioner Newton.
We notice, in late number of one of our
agricultural journals, some structures upon the
recently appointed Commissioner of Agricul-
ture, at Washington, Hon. Isaac Newton, who
has been placed at the head of the Department
OF Agriculture, by the President, and whose
selection to this important post does not'seem
to be entirely agreeable to certain parties in
terested in this branch of orr national econo-
my.
We have no personal acquaintance with Mr..
Newton but, feeling an interest in the general
welfare of that large portion of the citizens of
this country whose pursuits are connected
with agricultural vocations, we are quite as
DESTROYS as any of our contemporaries can be,
that ''the right man in the right place" should
be installed at the head of this new Depart
ment
From recent editorial in that very conserv-
alive and reliable daily, the National Intelli-
gencer, we learn that "Mr. Newton, the Com
missioner of Agriculture, has the character of
being a practical farmer of much experience.
During period involving ordinary life
time, he has attentiyely and industriousiy cul-
tivated extensive tracts of land in the States
of Pennsylvania and Virginia This farm in the
latter State comprising over three thousand
acres in manner which has commanded the
admiration of the best agriculturists in the
country; and that the idea and plan ofan Ag-
ricultural Department, under the auspices of
the General Government, was first submitted,
and perseveringly urged by Mr.. Newton, sew
eral years before a handful OF seed, and few
stalks of wheat were exhibited on an ordinary
dining table. in the north end Of the Patent
Office building"
Mr.. Newton is prominent member of the
Society of Friends, and he is esteemed by all
who know him, as sound man, possessing
ripe judgment, and goodly share of common
sense, which for half century he has exer-
cised practically in agricultural science, and
careful experiments, in his every day life on
the farm.
In that long period of service he has accom-
plished much for the good of his fellow-men,
while he has had ample opportunity to store
his mind with that species OF useful knowledge
which, in his present high position, is invalua-
BILE, and of which in the future, the farmers of
the country will unquestionably reap the ben
eft.
So long back as in 1874, the Germantown
Telegraph, (most excellent authority)in speak
ing of Mr.. Newton's extensive farm in Della
ware county, Penn, says that the reputation
of Mr.. Newton as a splendid farmer had $50
long become well established, that he has fire.
quent applications from gentlemen of fortune
to instruct their sons in the business, so that
for years past he has had several apprentices
of this kind, who serve regular apprentice
ship of three or four years, and pay two or
three hundred dollars for the knowledge they
receive. They generally prove to be industri-
Gus, active young men, and, having mostly re-
ceiyed good education, turn out tobe accom-
plished farmers, and excellent men,-the true
nobility of our country"
The editor adds that Mr.. Newton conducts
this farm in the most skillful manner, and has
made it one of the most productive and profit
able in the States.
Eight years afterward lin 1852 that staunch
daily, the Philadelphia Inquirer, states that its
editor has been gratified with an examination
of "the remarkably fine dairy farm of Mr..
Isaac Newton, in Delaware country, an estate
in better condition, whether we refer to the
meadows and grass lands, or to the coming
crops of Mediterranean wheat, oats, and In
dian corn, it has never been our good fortune
to examine" And, after lengthy article,
compliments Mr.. Newton's fine stock Of cattle,
sheep, swine, poultry, &c, his grain, fruits,
grass, and buildings, the editor concludes that
"when it is remembered that agriculture is one
of the most worthy pursuits of man, the foun-
dation, as it were, of national prosperity-for
the productions of nature are in all cases the
elements of art-it is with a sincere comming-
ling of pride and pleasure that we wander
over such model American farm as that of
Mr.. Isaac Newton
With all this evidence before us, from COM
petent authority, as TO Mr. Newtons peculiar
qualifications, as a practical man Of large ex-
perience in his profession, we really think he
must be a marvellous proper man" for the
very place to which the President has assigned
him; and while, at least, we think he should
have fair opportunity to show whether he is
competent for the post he occupies, we agree
with the Intellgencer that it scarcely needs
to be added that one who has been at the head
of such a model farm, cannot be ignorant of
the interests of Department of Agriculture