Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-03-04
SPEECH OF HON. G. w. HAZELTON.

Mr.. Speaker, when I voted to make
this bill the special order for the 18th
instant intended to indicate, as other
gentlemen did, an intention to support,
the measure when it should be brought
up Had | been in doubt in regardsto
it, that doubt would have been remov-
ed by the arguments and statistics al.
ready presented to the House, which
I think have clearly demonstrated both
its wisdom and economy. If these fig
ures prove anything they prove that
the measure can be carried out without
adding dollar to the contracts for
carrying the mails.
This, Mr.. Speaker, is not restora,
ton of the ranking privilege. 1t is
simply method for distributing the
public documents Of the Government
among the people to whom they belong
perhaps not the best method, but a
N ethod, and one that seems to me as
efficient as any | have heard suggested
for the object contemplated.
It is not for the benefit Of the mem.
bers of Congress; on the contrary, its
passage entails vast additional labor
upon them. The proposition is simply
to employ the mails for distributing
certain printed matter, seeds, &C.,
among the people.
cannot, MIR. Speaker, 50 at length
in the discussion Of this subject in the
few minutes allotted me, nor is it
necessary.
Some years ago the republican party
established Bureau of Agriculture at
the capital Of the nation, and has main
tanned it against strong opposition ever
since 1t was designed to gather up
| valuable information from all parts OF
the world touching the practical wants
and interests and methods of agri cul-
ture but it had also another object.
1t was intended that this Bureau should
be deemed, as it is in fact, a national
recognition Of the Importance, value,
and dignity Of agriculture as a great
and leading interest Of the American
people.
This Bureau has been in successful
operation for years. 1t has been dur
ing all this time in constant correspon-
| dence with practical and scientific gen.
| tlemen, and with the various agricul-
tural societies and organization through
out this country and Europe, and has
| gathered up a vast fund of scientific,
practical aud statistical information,
which from time to time has been pub
lished under the authority of Congress
and distributed far and wide. 1t has
| also been an agent of the people for
| the exchange of seeds and roots be-
tween this and other countries, and
the distribution Of the same here, and
also for conducting great variety Of
experiments and Investigations in the
direct and immediate interest of soil
products. 1t has been constantly en-
ployed in ascertainiDg and disseminating
information of great value to one Of
the most prominent interests of the
people. Letters are invited, and are
constantly being received from interest
ed parties, calling for information
which could not without much difficult
ty and expense be obtained elsewhere.
There il no gentleman On this floor
who represents and agricultural com.
munity, in whole or in part, who is not
daily receiving demands for: the pub,
lished reports Of this Bureau. 80
The simple question is, shall this
Bureau be abolished and the only re-
cognition which this great nation gives
to one Of its most important industries
that of agriculture-.be swept away ?
Because it is useless to attempt to con.
ceal the fact that the proposition to
abolish this Bureau stands right be-
hind the opposition to this bill. The
refusal to disseminate these reports is
but the preliminary step to refusing to
publish them, and refusing to publish
means the abolition OF the Bereau it.
SELF. .....<s
In my judgment nothing could be
more unwise, untimely. and un called
for than the blow aimed at this great
and Invaluable industry of the nation,
in the attempt to strike down its only
recognized dep artment in the Govern
ment. 1t comes sir, not only at the
wrong time, but it comes in the spirit
Of a false economy and pernicious
philosophy. The considerable sum ex-
pended for this department is money
well expended, and in the end comes
back with interest in improved methods
of farming and in the aggregate pro-
ductiveness of the nation. 1t comes
right when he:demands for it through
out one-half Of the Union, where
change in the whole economy Of agri,
cultural pursuits has been necessitated,
are stronger than ever If other gen
tlemen covet the task Of striking down