The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1886-12-10

all and the prosperity OF the country are jeopar-
died. Any Intervention of the general govern
ment, within the limits OF its constitutional au-
thority, to avert such condition should be will
tngly accorded. In special message transmit
ted TO tn congress at its last session ] suggested
the enlargement of our present labor bureau and
adding 10 it, present functions the power of ar
bitration In cases where differences arise between
employer and employed. When these differ
ences reach such a stage as to result In the inter-
ruption Of commerce between the states the ap-
pllcation Of this remedy by the general govern
ment might be regarded as entirely within its
constitutional powers And | think we might
reasonably hope that such arbitrators IL care.
fully selected and If entitled to the confidence OF
the parties to be affected, would be voluntarily
called to the settlement Of controversies of less
extent and not necessarily within the domain Of
federal regulation. | am OF the opinion that this
suggestion IS worthy the attention Of the con-
gress. But after all has been done by the passage
of laws either federal or state to relieve stua-
tion full OF solictude, much more remains TO be
accomplished by the reinstatement AMI cutiva-
tion of a true American sentiment which recog
nizes the equnlty of American citizenship. This
In the light OF our traditions and in loyalty to the
spirit OF our institutions, would teach that a
hearty cooperation on the part of all interests Is
the s'lrest path to national greatness and the hap
piness OF all our people, that capital should In
recognition Of the brotherhood of our citizenship
and in spirit Of American fairness, generously
accord to labor its just compensation and consd-
GRAFTON, and that contented labor is capitals best
protection and faithful ally. II would teach too,
that the diverse situations OF our people are in
separable from our civilization: that every citizen
should, in his sphere, be contributor to the gen.
eral good that capital does not necessarily tend
to the oppression of labor, and that violent dis
turbances and disorders ALLEVIATE from their pro-
moters true American sympathy and kindly feel.
ing.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
The department of agriculture, representing
the oldest and largest OF our national lndustres
is subscribing well the purposes of its organiza.
ton. BY the introduction OF subjects Of
farming enterprise. and 10y opening new sources
OF agricultural wealth and the dissemination on
early information concerning production and
prices, it has contributed largely to the countrys
prosperity. Through this agency advanced
thought and investigation touching the subjects il
has in charge. should, among other things, be
practically applied to the home production at a
low cost OF articles OF food which are now Inn
ported from abroad. Such an innovation will
necessarily, OF course, In the beginning be within
the domain OF intelligent experiment; and the
encouragement from the government
The interests Of millions of our citizens en-
gagged IN agriculture are involved in an enlarge
inent and imp ovement of the results OF their
labor; and Jealous regard for their welfare
should be willing tribute to those whose pro-
ductive returns are main source Of our progress
and power. The existence Of pleuro- -pneumonia
among the cattle of various states has led TO bur.
densom- and in some cases disastrous II estrctions
IN an important branch OF our commerce, threat
eninR 10 aitect the quantity and quality of our
food supply. This is matter Of such Importance
and OF such far-reachng consequences that I
nope II VIII engage the serious attention Of the
congress, to the end that such a remedy n ay bs
applied as the limits of constitutional delega
tion Of power to the general government " III ner
mt commend TO the consideration Of the con-
gress the report or the commissioner aud his
suggestions concerning the interest ntrusted to
his care
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
The continued operation Of the law relating n
our civil service has added the most convincing
proofs OF its necessity and usefulness 1t Is fact
worthy OF note that every public officer who has
a Just ldea or his duty to the people testiies to
the value of this reform Its staunchest friends
are round among those who understand 1t best,
anu its warinest supporters are those who are re-
strained and protected by its requirements Ths
meaning OF such r. cstraint and protection Is NOT
appreciated by those who want places under the
government, regardless OF merit and efficiency,
nor by those who insist that the selection for such
places should rest upon proper credental show
ing active partisan work. They mean to public
officers If not their lives, the only opporiunitv
afforded them to attend to public business and
they mean to the good people of the country the
better performance OF the work OF their govern
ment 1t is exceedingly strange that the scona
and nature of this reform are so little understood
and that so many things not included within its
plan are called by its name. When cavil Yields
more fully to examination the system will have
large additions TO the number of its friends Our
civil service reform may be imperfect In some of
its detailsi II may be misunderstood and opposed:
IL may not always be faithfully applied; fts de.
signs may sometimes miscarry through mistake
or wiilful intent it may sometimes tremble under
the assaults OF its enemies or languish under the
misguided zeal OF impractical friends: but II the
people OF this country ever submit to the Danish.
ment OF its underlying principle from the opera-
aton Oh their government, they Will abandon the
surest guarantee of the safety and success OF
American institutions | invoke for this reform
the cheerful and ungrldging support OF congress
l renew my commendation made last yeaP that
the salaries OF the commissioners be made eolaI
TO other officers of the government having like
duties and responsibilities, and hope that such
reasonable appropriations may be made as will
enable them to Increase the usefuluess Of The
cause they have In charge
THE PREEDMENs BANK.
desire to call the attention Of tha conor... 30 .
plain duty which the government owes 10 the de-
positoIs In the Freedmens Savings and Trust
company, This company was chartered by the
congress Tor the benefit OF the most iiterats and
humble OF oln people, and with the Intention Of
encouraging IN them industry and thrift Most OF
ITS branches were presided over by officers hold
ing the commissions and clothed in the uniform
OF the United States These and other circnm
stances reasonably, think led these simple
people TO suppose that the invitation to deposit
their hard earned savings in this institution i'm
pied an undertaking on the part OF their goyern-
ment that their money should be safely Kent for
them. When this company failed il was liable In
lhe sum or 939, ,a25 81 to VI, ,l3i depositors Dv
dends amounting IN the aggregate TO 81 per cent
nave been declared, and the sum called for and
pad OF such dividends seems to be 64s ISL "a
Ibis sum deducted from the entire amount Of de
posts leaves Sl,s0l i4.50 still unpaid Past en-
perience has shown that quite large part Of this
sum viii not be called for. There are assets still on
hand amounting 10 the estimated sum Of 0IH ooo
IA HlNaan naANa