The patron of husbandry., 1882-06-10

needs of the country in regard to
the postal system, and SO that by
message to Congress, in the dis
charge of his duty, he might make
known to that body what legisla-
ton was necessary to meet the de-
mands of the mail service, for the
benefit and convenience of the
people.
The Navy Department was not
created until 1898, nearly nine years
after Washington became President.
But the growing needs of the coast
wise and harbor defense, and the
protection of our growing COM
merce on the high seas suggested
more consideration and greater at
tention. The demand was made
and the Department established,
with the Secretary of the Navy at
its head. The Department of
the Interior was not created until
1916, seventy years after the adop-
ton of the Constitution. It's crea-
ton was as stoutly opposed as is
this bill to. day. Calhoun and Ma
son and Hunter and Cobb were
found in the ranks of the opposition,
insisting that such department
was not needed, that the business
intended for it could as well be at
tended to by the other Departments
then established. On the other
hand, Webster and Davis believed
that public lands, patents, and our
Indian affairs, embracing treaties
and contracts, required more time
and attention than could be given
in the other organized Departments
and this idea prevailed.
1t is nothing new to add mem
bers to the Cabinet of the Presi-
dent. Sir, it is question only
of expediency. No man is so wise
that he cannot be at some time
properly advised on the manifold
phases of Congressional legislation
affecting the important interests of
the country upon which the Presi-
dent must pass judgment. A
friendly and direct adviser near him,
and who shares his confidence, is of
of the first importance to the whole
country whenever the interests of
agriculture are involved. 1t may
be of the highest importance that
this officer, clothed with the power
of veto, shall be advised by friend
to these interests whose business
and whose duty is to give advice
under suck circumstances, and
when treaties with foreign coun-
tries are to be made it may become
even more important. The range
of our markets ought now to be
enlarged, not only with the South
American states, Mexico, and Asia.
but with all the European countries
as well.
The sweep of commerce is onward and it can
not long be stayed by any Shackles we may at
tempt to fasten. The transatlantic and Pacific
business is demanding cheap and easy connec-
tions by rail- and waterway across Ihe ISthnlus
1t is demanded by the commerce or the world,
and whether the United States is willing or un-
willing, it will be had. And In TINS great Wofk
who is there with substantial voice IN tne
interests of agriculture? OF all the people IN
this country most interested In commerce Win
foreign powers the farmer is the most deeply
concerned.
We find upon examination OF the statistics
that it is now Impossible for our own people to
consume the quantity of cotton ana leasing
grain crops annually grown. Where, sir, does
and must continue to go this surplus OF our pro
ducts? OF course in the main to the countries
of the Old World, where today exist restrictions
destructive in large degree of the facilities 10"
unr 10
ing the best prices for our surplus crops.
It seems to me that this restriction whlch now
impairS this free exchange might IN great
measure be removed by treaties properly framed
for that purpose. Let intelligent effort pe given
to make treaties by which our products can
most re adily ind markets in foreign countries.
Establish lines of ships on scale commensurate
with its needs by furnishing regular ana con-
slant employment in the carrying trade OF e9.
ports and imports. Bring about cheap rates OF
freight by competition. Let friendly reciprocity
of exchange OF commodities between otner
countries ana 9ufs il Iupnsa , st Sere there Is
new demand for tonnage or mllllOnS lneIe
shall then exist demand for hundreds OF NIL
lions. Let foreign countries learn ana know
that we have garnered in our StorehouSeS the
best products of the best soil In the Worlo,
which we stand ready to exchange at falr prices
for such foreign products as our people need
There are but few treaties OF commerce mace
but that agricultural interests are VlGally IN
volved and for the want of concern, or lot !ne
want OF such accurate and complete KnoWle0ge
which can only be acquired by d1llgent STUDY,
close attention. and earnest sympathy. they
have been wholly neglected and Sacrlnceo, OF
treated with such indifference tnat pracIodtt
sacrifice has been the result. Let the ports OF
other nations be opened and let our surplus pro-
ductS find markets not only at home but abroad.
Let mind be employed trained by study ana
thought to ascertain how this can best be accom-
plished. The old maxim that what is every
hody's business is nobody's business and hence
the necessity of giving this work In charge OF
man who by research and study has quallned
himself for the discharge OF the duties OF TINS
important trust.
operate the machinery of this Government, and
we can well afford to give them such man In
such place. In all the parties Wnlch nave ex-
listed or which now exist, in our country, able,
learned and patriotic men can pe found VINO
would bring energy, industry. skill, zeal, and an
earnest purpose to accomplish all that the
friends of thfs bill hope for In the interests OF
agriculture. The expense Is pittanc6 In COM
nsrison with the great object to be accomplished
and the interests to be SubServed. Why, sir,
Austria and Hungary In the last annual appro-
priation have seen gave In aid OF agricultural
Industries S. 495,f2s; Prussia, 2612,S40 dollars;
Russia. for agriculture and public lands 1885
1s4 dollars: Great Britain, 795 $50 dollars; Swee-
den 651, ,7S5 dollars; and nearly all the european
Countries, great and small, are vieing with
each other to give encouragement to this In
Sir. in the rushing tide of business but few
nersons stop long enough to look upon the vast
picture OF agricultural industry In the United
states. In value more than nine thousand mil
lions of dollars annually 20 help 10 1eed ana
cloIhe the world is furnished by it; In raw cot
ton producing enough TO run every spindle in
America and export besides two hundred and
and Icons OF England. Our grain crops ever
ore astonishing: besides enough for nome Con
nmption, our exports OF wheat alone u 81