The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1870-03-12

The DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. most
important Department Of the Government is be-
ing managed, under the abe superintendent Of
General Capron, with degree of energy and in
tellgence unequaled at any former time. The
Commissioner is gentleman of high culture,
and an enthusiastic agrcultuIist. Since his con-
nection with this Department be has brought to
bear an amount OF intelligent reforms and re-
concentrations in bis annual reports that are
already felt throughout this and other countries
His reports have attracted the attention and
highest concentrations of the leading States and
Agricultural Colleges and Societies of Europe,
with whom he has instituted systematic system
of exchange. He by this means is placed in pos
session of a vast amount of information upon
variety of subjects affecting the agricultural min
eral botanical and statistics of the country that
will prove invaluable to the future progress OF
the country, our financial and agricultural in
terests. There many indications of great re-
forms in the various departments OF the Govern
ment under the present administration, and we
venture the assertion that in none OF them are to
be found more decided Offences OF thorough
organization, aud more diiseut and untiring
efforts in chalf Of tie economical administration
of the Govtrnm than in this Department.
This department was only established In 1867,
and, although yet in its infancy, Compared with
the greatness and resources OF the country has
grown most rapidly into favor and usefulness. =
The building though not large has been admir-
ably constructed in its architecture for the pur-
pose for which it is designed. The interior ar
rangement is most elegant, and visit to II VIII
richly reward the labor of any stranger who may
visit Washington, and yet we suspect there are
honorable members of Congress who have not
even visited it, and in all likelihood if asked for
slight appropriation to deyelope its usefulness
would like as not be disposed to regard it as un-
necessary. We may mention, however, that un-
der its present able management II Is a source OF
pecuniary profit to the Government, notwith-
standing the vast amount of valuable seeds and
invaluable information distributed throughout
the country annually. One leading feature Of
| the policy of the Commissioner is TO encourage n
diversified industry. Large SURF luses OF grain
are raised 10 remote sections Of the country which
consume double their value at the plaffex c6ang
| ed for other commodities We pay millions Of
dollars annually for sugar. coffee, tea, hemp, fax
Silks rice, fruits, &C., the greater part Of which
could be produced at home, saving the money in
| the country, and affording new fields of indus
| try to our laboriGg population He has now
much valuable information in regard to these
productions in their native countries and such as
can be introduced to advantage are brought in
| for trial. This information is embodied in his
| monthly and annual reports for the information
/ vi Tue pcOplc, duu tue pEOuuClOuS dTe
always on exhibition in the department, whittier
| the humblest citizen Of the Republic can 60 and
be sure Of a courteous reception, receiving such
| information as his wants may indicate. This
will ultimately become the leading department oil
our vast and prolific country y Washington Sat
urday EOening Visitor.
s- While considering the bill to remove
disabilities (disloyalty,) in Congress, the other
day, the following sparring took place in the
House
Mr.. Butler, of Massachusetts,, in explaining the
bill said every name here was inserted only az
ter the personal application of the individual,
and after he was endorsed by prominent citizens,
| and these applications were placed on file so that
| if any man denied that he had made application
it could be shown either that his name had been
forged or that he was liar. Referring to the re-
marks OF Mr.. Brooks he denied that the United
States had exercised very cruel policy toward
the South. On the contrary he thought the South
had been treated more literally than they de-
served. No prisoner had been executed since
the rebellion closed /; no one had been punished
for treason, and no mans property had been
confiscated. Nor have the people of the South
been denied any power or privilege that was
really necessary to their happiness. The only
deprivation they were subjected to was the de-
privation to vote and Office. The Republican
party had been very magnauimous, and in all
its dealings with the South has been governed
by the principle of doing nothing for punish
ment, but all for safety. The time had not yet
arrived when the amnesty could be general, but
as soon as that time did arrive, and it could be
done safely, he would vote To relieve all without
let or hndrauce. But in the opinion of some oil
the best men all over the country, that time had
not yet TO come.
Mr.. Cox, OF New York, obtained the floor and
read as part OF his speech the 10th Psalm. The
Bible, he said, was not as well studied us il
should be, and he proposed TO call attention
to a portion of it that related to amnesty. He
also read Adam Clarke's commentary upon tina,
psalm to show the effect OF general pardon upon
people who had violated law, and said it would
be good example for the ajority in this House
to follow. He would suggest to the gentleman
from Massachusetts MIR Buter) and those who
acted with him, that they should emulate the
example here laid down. and, forgetting all
spirit of revenge and punishment, follow out the
old Hebraic even the old Pagan law oil
forgiveness.
Mr.. Mckenzie, Of Virginia, would vote for this
bill, but he thought the time had come when an
act of general amnesty should be passed a ma
ter of justice TO the South.
Mr.. Covode, of Pennsylvania, said that when
the gentleman from New York {Mr Cox) again
got up TO read an extract rom the Bible he
should try another chapter lie would refer him
10 that one about Ahab and Ben Hadad the
Syrian. Ahab was directed to go out and Stay
Ben Hadad and the rebels with him, and because
he had spared the rebels the vengeance and curse
OF the Almighty fell upon hun. He would CON-
mend that chapter also TO the gentleman from
New York
After further discussion the question was taken
and the bill was passed, by vote of l39 yeas to
40 nays