The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1882-05-18
THE BILL CREATING THE BUREAU OF
AGRICULTURE.

NASuiNGIbN, My lu.--lHe HOUSE to-uay
passed by vote of liz to the bill creating
an executive department OF agriculture. 1t
provides that the Secretary shall be an expo
rienccd and practical agricultural.
For several years a majority Of the menl-
bers of the House, as shown by the record OF
votes on different occasions. have been dis
posed TO legislatc for an enlargement of the
jurisdiction of the bureau of agriculture and
an increase of its efficiency and usefulness to
the agricultural community: but these meas
ures have either beer presented in crude and
ili-considercd form or put before the House
in parliamentary form requiring the votes
OF two-thirjs in order 10 pass. Demands
form OF petitions and memorials from every
State, and rural representatives have dis
played zeal and eioqucnee in advocating the
cause of the farmer. One of the evident
causes of failure has been the want OF con-
cert of action on the part Of those who lIave
the same general object in view, and their
differences of opinion as TO the method i'm
been urged that the object should be attained
by simply providing iora reorganization or
the bureau Of agriculture, and more liberal
appropriations for clerical services and ex-
periments in the culture Of new or valuable
pants, and the collection of statistics OF
prices. wages. rates of transportation, etc.
On the other hand il has been Insisted that
the bureau should be elevated 10 The dignity
of an executive department, with chief
who shall be Il practical farmer and member
of the Presidents cabinet, and that the new.
department should be given jurisdiction OF Il
much wider range of subjects in which the
agricultural community is interested. either
directly or indirectly. This was . pet prof..
Get of the late Commissioner lie Due. aud
largely through his influence majority of
the House committee on Agriculture was in
lueed TO report fayoraby. in the last Con-
gress, bin for carrying II ott. The chair
man of the committee. however, made a re-
port against the bill, and exer,ed himself to
defeat it. The several bills introduced in
this Congress on the same subject differ main
~ as TO detail.
The bill which passed the House tc.day
was one introduced by Mr.. Anderson, of
Kansas. II was approved by the comaittee
on agriculture and had been the pending
measure since Monday Mr.. Andersonss bill
establishes 4 department of agriculture and
an executive department, whose chief Shall
lac a member of Tire cabinet, and provides for
an assistant secretary and four chiefs OF bu-
reaus, to be appointed by the President, with
the consent Of The Senate for It term Of four
years. The four bureaus are as follows:
|. The bureau of agricultural products.
which shall include divisions of botany, en-
tomology and chemistry, and the chief of
which bureau shall he practical agriculture
list. The province of this bureau viii be 10
Investigate the modes of farming in the sew
eral States, and report such practical inform
alton IL shall tend to increase the profits of
tire farmer, the crops most profitable in the
several sections, the preferable varieties of
seeds. vines, plants and fruits, feriilizers,im-
plements, buildings, etc.
=. The bureau Of animal industry. TO be in
charge of 4 veterinary surgeon, who Shall in
vestigate and report upon the number, value
and condition OF domestic animals OF the
United States; their protection. growth and
use: the causes. prevention and cure OF con
tagious diseases, and the kinds, races or
breeds best adapted 10 profitable raising in
the several sections.
>. The bureau OF iauds, the chief clerk of
which shall investigate and report upon the
Resources and capabilities of the public or
other lands for farming, slock-raising, timber,
manufacturing, mining. or other industrial
uses. and all powers aud duties vested in the
commission now known H. the geological
survey. together with all clerks. employees,
instruments. etc, are 10 be transferred to the
department Of agriculture and through this
bureau the secretary is to institute inyesti-
cations aud collect Information relating to
mines and mining.
4. The bureas of statistics, which is to col
lect statistics and information relating to az
riculture. 20 labor and wages in this and for
eign countries. to markets and prices, and to
modes and transportation of live stock 10 the
final market; 10 the location, number, and
product of manufacturing establishments OF
all kinds, their sources OF raw material, meth
ODDS, markets and prices also statistics rciat-
ing to such commercial and other conditions
As may affect the value Of farm products or
the industrial classes. This bureau j. also
to make such monthly reports concerning
crops AMI domestic aud foreign markets as
will be seryiecablc to the farmers or indus
trial classes in the United States.
The only changes made IN the Anderson
bill were, first, the insertion uf an amend
ment by Mr.. Town,hend and Mr.. Singleton,
OF Illinois, that the secretary of the new de-
pariment shall be practical and experienced
agriculturist second, the elimination OF the
limitation of his term of office 10 four years
third, the rejection Of the proposition 10 put
the geological survey under the jurisdiction
of the department of agriculture; and fourth
the addition Of the following propositions
The secretary may call upon he commission
known is the geological survey for inforna-
ton relating 10 waste aud other lands. as 10
geological formations which furnish gypsum
and other natural fertilizers. aud all other
matters peculiarly within the knowledge of
the said commission that may be Of utility TO
agriculture, which information shall he reg
ularly Furnished for the annual report Of the
of aprjclllfilrp