Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1885-12-19

PUBIC udtlOu hoS
and suspicion engendered. Our great
nation does not begrudge its generosi-
ty, but it abhOrs speculation ana 1faud'
and the favorable regard OF our people
for the great corporations to Whlch
these grants were made a only DC
revived by a restoration OF a commence
to be secured by their constant une-
o~uivocal and clearly manifested in
tegrity.
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
The agricultural interest of the
try demands lust recognition and lloe-
raj announcement. 1t sustalns with
certainty and unfailing strength our
nations prosperity by the products OF
its steady toll, and bears its full share
of the burden of taxation without CON-
plant. .
Our agriculturists have but slight
p%ersonal representation in the councils
of the nation, and are generally con-
tent with the humber duties OF citizen
shin and willing to trust to the bounty
of nature for a reward OF their iaooi:
but the magnitude and value OF tins
industry is appreciated when the
statement is made that OF II total
annual exports more tina three-fourths
are the products of agriculture II OF
our total population nearly one-half
are exclusively engaged in that occupa-
| ton. The department OF agriculture
| was created for the purpose OF acqulr-
| ing and diffusing among the people
| useful information respecting the SUB
! iects it has in charge and aiding the
cause of intelligent and progressive
farming.
By the collection OF statistics, by
testing the value and usefulness of new
| seeds and plants and the distrlbutlsn
| of such as are found desirable among
a~oriculturists, this and other powers
and duties with which this department
| is entrusted are of the utmost lmpor-
lance, and if wisely exercised, must be
| of benefit to the country. The aim OF
our beneficent government is the m
proyement of the people in every sea-
son and the amelioratiOn OF their con-
| dition. Surely our agriculturists should
not be neglected. The instrumentality
| established in aid of the farmers OF the
land should not only be well equipped
for the accomplishment OF Its purpose,
| but those for whose benefit 1t has been
| adopted should be encouraged to avail
| themselves fully of its advantages.
The prohibition OF the Importation
| into several countries OF certain OF u
| animals and their products, based upon
| the suspicion that health is endangered
in their use and consumption, suggests
| the Importance of such precautions for
| the protection of our stock of all kinds
against disease as will disarm suspicion
Of danger and cause the removal OF
such an injurious prohibition.
If the laws now in operation are in
sufficient to accomplish this protection,
I recommend their amendment to meet
the necessities of the situation, and l
commend to the consideration OF con-
gress the suggestions contained In the
report of the commissioner Of agricul-
ture calculated to increase the value
and efficiency of this department.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The report of the civil service CON-
mission, which will be submitted, con-
tains an account Of the manner i'll
which the civil service law has been
executed during the past year, and
contains much valuable Information on
this important subject. l am inclined
to think that there is no sentiment more
general in the minds of the people OF
our country than a conviction OF the
correctness of the principle upon which
the law enforcing civil service reform
is based. In its present condition the
law regulates only part OF the subordl-
nate public positions throughout the
country. 1t applies the test of fairness
to applicants for the positions by means
of a competitive examination and gives
large discretion to the commissioner
as to the character of examination and
many other matters connected with Its
execution. Thus the rules and regula
lions adopted by the commission have
much to do with the practical useful
ness of the statute and with the results
of Its application.
Doubts may we'll be entertained
whether III government could survive
the storm of a continuance of this sys
TEN, which upon every change of ad.
ministration inspires an immense army
of claimants for Office to lay siege t.
the patronage of the government, EN-
crossing the time of public officers will
their opportunities, spreading abroad
the c~ontagion of their disappointment
and filling the air with the tumult o
their discomfort. BestOwals In recOg
milton of partisan activity debauch thu
suffrage and rob political action of it
thoughtful and deliberative character
I The evil would increase with the mul
~tiplication of offices consequent, upOl
our extension, and the mania from
!, Office holding growing from its indulg
l ence would pervade Il population 81
generally that patriotic purpose, tn
support of principle, the desire for tn
I public good and solicitude for tn
nations welfare would be nearly ban
ished from the activity of our part,
contests and cause them to degenerate
into ignoble, selfish and disgracefu
struggles for the possession of of1c
and public place.
j, Civil service reform, enforced b.
= law, came not too soon to check tn
9 progress of demonstration. One Q
its effects is not enough regarded, an,
the freedom it brings to the politica
action of the conservative n SObe
!. men who, in fear of the confusion an
', risk attending all arbitrary and sudde
change in all the public offices wit
y change of party rule, cast their ballot
=, against such a chance. Parties seer
, to be necessary, and will continue
4 exist, nor can it now be denied ths
there are legitimate advantages con
! nected with ofice-holding which fol
low party supremacy.
While p%artisanshlp continues boil
n and pronounced and supplies SO muc
of motive sentiment and action, it
a not fair to hold public officials In charg
of important trusts responsible for tn
l. best results in the performance of the
q duties, and yet insist that they sha
rely in confidential and important cas-
upon the work of those not only o.
st posed to them in political afiliatiol
ne but so steepedin partisan prejudice al
e, rancor, that they have no loyalty
nd their chief and no desire for their SUI
cess. Civil service reform does II
exact this, nor does it require tn
~ those in subordinate positions, wi
W. fail in yielding their best service,
who are incompetent, should be retail
ed m.ieiy becau>e they are i'll plat
-. and the people who desire good 60
ernInent, having secured this statul
~ v iii .lot relinquish its benefit withO
rotest., Nor are they unmindtul
IA ,he fact that its full advantages can Oh
r ra be gained through the complete 90
fait of those having its execution
charge, and this they will insist upc
!. | recommend thai the salaries of CT
N service commissioners be increased
nv ii sim more nearly commensurate
mi" mp 'rtant duties
TdE NATIONAL LIBRARY.
ur- Ii is u source of considerable and