The Aberdeen examiner. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1866-current, 1883-02-01


Hitherto the farmers and other in
dustrial classes have borne this neg
lect to their interests, this discrimina
ting and inordinate favoritism to
others, if not with resignation and
patience, at all events with that sub
mission and endurance which come
from consciousness of inability tc
prevent them. They have seen Others
reap where they have sown. They
have seen the transportation of theil
products to the markets of the world
under the absolute control of corpo'
rations whose sole aim in the discharge
of their public duties as common
carriers has been to increase their owl
wealth.
They have seen the market price o.
their property fixed and regulated
depressed and enhanced-not by the
commercial law of supply and demand
but by the caprices and interests OF
spectators on their toll. In short
sir, the fertilizer of our soil, the bene-
fcent seasons of bountiful Provi-
dence, the hard and often repulslve
labor of the farmer, eventuating III
the great crops which enable us to
resume specie payments and to bring
to our shores the Pactolean stream OF
the precious metals, turning the ex-
changes of commerce in our favor
have more advantaged the carriers,
warehousemen, buyers and sellers for
speculation than the producers or
consumers, against whom these mid
dlemen have waged an equal war.
The farmers are getting tired of
this. They now seek some small part
of the favoring Legislation which has
been 50 beautifully and recklessly
bestowed on others. They think the
passage of this bill will be recogni-
ton Of their interests. | do not think
that all the good will come of it that
some of it's more enthusiastic, though
not more sincere, friends claim but
that good will come | do not doubt
The measure before us is not by any
means perfect. 1t is far less than the
needs or the merits of the farmers
demand, but, as have said, it is a
good start it is the germ and prom
Use of more efficient system to be
hereafter built up.
Other countries have agricultural
departments of equal grade and dig
nifty with their own executive depart
ments which are far more extensive
and efficient than that proposed to be
erected by this bill. | have examined
some of these. Especially, Russia,
Prussia, Austria, and France have
such departments for the advancement,
protection, and care of agriculture
and its kindred pursuits. Compare
this measure with the agricultural
department of France and it will be
seen how insignificant it is when con-
sitlered in connection with the more
elaborate and more efficient system of
our sister republic. The annual ex-
penditures of France in this depart
ment exceed S1,000,OO0. Besides a
cabinet minister the French system
has three bureaus, with a general
director and inspector,a general coun-
Gil Of agriculture, consultative
chamber, supreme commission on
the labor of women and children,
seven inspectors general and two
adjutant inspectors-gener including
the national agricultural institute,
with a president, secretary, eleven
directors, and nineteen professors.
The subject over which the depart
ment exercises supervision and care
embraced all the Appliances and
methods and all the arts and sciences
which can aid in the full and profita-
BILE development of agriculture in all
its forms. Among them are: Agri-
cultural schools, school farms, veteri-
nary schools, and veterinary medicine,
epidemics among cattle, cattle stables,
sheep folds, competitive exhibition of
cattle, breeding Of cattle, cattle farms
and markets, drainage, improvement
of rural industries, the collection and
publication of agricultural informa-
ton, silk culture, the herd book, the
food supply, prices of agricultural
products, the importation and expor-
tation of seeds and their free circula-
ton, rural economy, physics, meteor
ology, geolygy, mineraIogy, technol-
ogy, botany, zoology, Northumberland
engineering, horticulture, viticulture,
with schools of art and manufactures,
and schools of arts and trades.
The systems in Russia, AUSTRIA land
Prussia are not less extensive and
efficient. Compare these with what
we have done, or even now propose
to do, and it will be seen how far
behind these enlighted nations we are
in aifording proper protection and
facilities for progress to the greatest
of our industries.
Mr.. President, through the provi-
sions of this bill even when amended
as proposed by the Ssnate Committee
are in my judgment inadequate, yet
they constitute an important advance
in the right direction. They contain
sufficient to contribute greatly to the
advancement of the interests of agri-
culture.
/. The Department is made exec
utive, and the head Of it raised in
dignity, Importance, and influence to
an equality with the other Secreta-
ries.
2. He is required to be versed in
the science and practice ofagriculture,
which means that he is to be prac-
teal farmer, coming from and SYM
pathizing with that portion of our
people. The place is not to be filed
by mere politician Of no particular
calling. 1t is not to be filed, as such