The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1885-12-19


ated promise better results in both these Iii-
Tections.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
The operations OF the patent Office demon
Btrhbe the activity Of the inventive genius Of
! the country For the wear ended June 30
1885, the applications for patents, Including
reissues, and for the registration Of trade
marks and labels numbered Sc, SIS During
the same period there were Ices patents
granted and reissned, and 400 trademarks
and labels registered This number of patents
issued IN the year 1885 was l4,SS7 The re-
eeipts during the last fiscal year were 81 0I4,-
g74.35, and the total expenditures, not incfud-
ing contingent expenses, Sg34, 1913. II.
| There were ass applications for patents
pending ON July !, 1854, and 8, 7S6 ON the same
date IN the year 1885. There has been CON
Siderable Improvement made IN the prompt
discrimination Of applications, and a conse-
auent relief to expectant inventors
THE MORMON QUESTION
In the Territory of Utah the law Of the
United Ststes passed for the suppression Of
polygamy has been energetically and faith
fully executed during the past year with
measurabiy good results. A number OF con-
victions have been secured for unlawful CO
habitati0n, and in some cases pleas of guilty
have been entered aud a slight punishment
imposed, upon promise by the accused that
they would not again offend against the law,
nor advise, counsel, aid, or abet, in any way,
its violation by others.
The Utah commissioners express tine opin-
ion, based upon such information as they are
able to obtain. that but few polygamous
marriages have taken place in the Territory
nur1ng me last year They further report
that while there cannot be found upon the
registration lists of voters the name OF n man
actually guilty of pOlygamy and while none
Of the class are holding office, vet at the lssi
election in the Territory all
he srfH -,
county were men who. though not
actually living in the practice of poiYgamy,
subscribe to the doctrine Of polygamOus mar
fiages as a divine revelation and law unto
all, higher and more binding upon the con-
science than any human law, local OF national
Thus is a strange spectacle presented Of
community protected by a Republican form
of government 10 which they owe allegiance,
sustaining by their suffragesa principle anda
belief which sets at naught that obligation of
absolute obedience to the law of the land
which lies at the foundation Of Republican
institutions
The strength, the perpetuitY, and tine des-
tiny of the nation rest upon our homes, ss-
tablished by the law of God guarded by
parental care, regulated by parental RuthOri
BY, and sanctified by parental love. These
are not the homes of polyganly. The mothers
Of our land, who rule the nation as they
mold the characters and guide the actions Of /
nances, and each, secure and happy III the
exclusive love Of the father Of her children,
sheds the warm light Of true womanhoOd,
unperverted and unpolluted, upon all with
her pure and wholesome family circle, These .
are not the cherries crushed, and unwoman-
" mothers of polygamy
The fathers OF our families are the best Citi-
zens Of the republic, Wife and children are
the sources of patriotism and conjugaI and
parental affection beget devotion 70 the Coun-
try. The man who, Undecided with plural
marriage is surrounded il his single home
with his wife and children, has a stake il the
country which inspires him with respect tor
Its laws and courage for its defence. These
are not the fathers of pOlygamUus families
There is no feature Of this practice or the
system which sanctions 1t, which Is not op-
posed TO ali that Is OF value in our institutions
There should be no relaxation in the firm but
Just execution Of the law now In operation
and should be GtHd t. approve such further
discreet legislation rs will rid the country of
his blot upon Its fair name Since the people
unfolding pOlygamy Ii our Territories are re-
Enforced by immigration from other lands l
that a law be passed to prevent
he importation of Mormons into the country.
AGRICULTURE
The agricultural interest of the country
demands just recognition and liberal encouT-
cement. 1t sustains with certainty and un-
ailing strength our nations prosperity by
he product of its steady toll, and bears its
ull share Of the burden of taxation without
Our agriculturists have but
light personal representation In the councils
# the nation, and are generally con
ent with the humber duties of citi-
enship and willing to trust TO the bounty of
nature for q reward of their labor But the
magnitude and value Of this industry is aI-
1reciated, when the statement is made that
II our total annual exports more than three
NC FkaEs -
If our total population nearly on e-half are
exclusively engaged in that occupation
The department OF agriculture was created
or the purpose of acquiring and diffusng
!mO1g the people useful information respect
ng the subjects it has in charge, and aiding
] the cause Of Intelligent and progressiv
irmlng, by the collection Of statistics. b.
sting the value and usefulness Of new seeI>
nd plants. and distributing such as ar
Juud desirable among agriculturists. Thi-
nd other powers and duties with which this
apartment is invested are of the utmost i'm
and If wisely exercised must be OF
reat benefit 10 the country. The aim Of our
anehcent government is the Improvement Of ~
AZ people in every station. and the ameliora-
on of their condition Surely our agricuI
lrists should not be neglected The Instru
'entaiity established in aid of the farmers Of
le land should not only be well equipped fOT
le accomplishment Of its purpose, but those
pr whose benefit it has been adopted should
@ encouraged TO avail themselves fully Of its
ivantages.
The prohibition Of the importation into
sveral countries Of certain Of our animals
nd their products. based upon the suspicion
nat health - endangered III their use and
omsuDa aon, suggests the Importance OF
lch pre- lAIJtluns for the protection of our
5OcE of all kinds against disease, as will dis
run suspicion of danger and cause the remov-
of such an injurious prohibition
If the laws now in operation are insufficient
, accomplish this protection l recommend
lelr amendment To meet the necessities of the
tuatlOn, and | commend 70 the cOnsideTR-
on OF Congress the suggestions contained in
be report OF ths commissioner of agriculture
alculated to increase the value and efficacy
f this department
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The report of tine civil service commission,
yhich will be submitted, contains an account
the manner in which the civil service law
as been executed during The last year, and
luch valuable information on this important
nbjeet.
I am inclined % think that there
no sentiment more general in the
Minds of the people of our country
han conviction of the correctness
I the principle upon which the law enforcing
ivil service reform Is based. In its present
ondition the law regulates only a part of the
Unfortunate public positions throughout the
ountry. 1t applies the test OF fitness 10 APP
hcants for these places by means of a COM
etitive examination, and gives large discre-
ion to the commissioners as 10 the character
the examination and many other matters Z
with its execution. Thus the rules
nd regulations adopted by the commission
ave much 70 do with the practical usefulness
the statute and with the results of its ap-
location.
The people may well trust the commission
D execute the law with perfect fairness and
nth as little irritation as possible. But Of
curse no relaxation Of the principle which
nderlies 1t and no Weakening of the safe
yards which surround it can be expected
Experience in its administration will proba~
~ suggest amendment of the methods of ex-
lution, but venture 10 hope that we
hall never again be renlitted to
he system which distributes PUG
e positions purely as rewards for
artisan service, Doubts may well be enter
aimed whether our government could sur
i've the strain of a continuance of this sys-
sm, which upon every change of an admin
itration inspires an immense army Of claim
ntS for Office 10 Law siege to the patrOnnQN