Daily Republican., 1886-12-07
ment of the Homestead laws is sd-
vised.

e-ons Va sho hohAoolohA IoWo 10 nj
vised.
UNCLE SANS PENsIoNERs.
OF the Pension Bureau he says:
"On the 30th day of June, 1885, there
were 865,783 pensioners ON the rolls Of
the Buresu.
"since 1851 there have been 1,O18, ,735
applications for pensions aled OF which
US, 1884 we're based upon service In the
war Of 1912. There were s2l, ,764 Of
these applications allowed, including
90. 178 to the soldiers of 1912 and their
widows.
''The total amount paid for pensions
since 1861 is $80S, ,624, ,811.57.
THE number Of new pensions allowed
during the year ended June 80, 1885, is
Az ,S57, larger number than has been
allowed in any year save one since 1861.
The names of 1920 pensioners which
had been previously dropped from the
rolls we're restored during the year, and
after deducting those dropped within
the same time for various causes, a net
increase remains for the year 20, sos
names.
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
The labor question is referred to and
the constitution of the Labor Bureau
into Board Of Arbitration Is, as be-
fore, advised.
"The existence of pleuro-pneumonia
among the cattle of various States has
led to burdensome and in some cases
disastrous restrictions in an important
branch of our commerce, threatening
to affect the quantity and quality OF
our food supply. This Is q matter of
much importance and Of such far
reaching consequences that l hope 1t
will engage the serious attention of the
Congress"
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The paragraph on the civil service Ia
as follows:
1.-THE continued operation of the law
relating to our civil service has added
the most convincing proofs of It's neces-
city and usefulness. Its q fact worthy
Of note that every public officer who
has q just idea of his duty to the people
testifies to the value of this reform. Its
stauncbest friends are found among
those who unde erstapd 1t best, and its
warmest supporters are those who are
restrained and protected by It's require
ments.
"The meaning of such restraint and
protection is not appreciated by these
who want places under the government
regardless of merit ard deficiency, nor
by those who insist that the selection
for such places should rest upon q
proper credentia showing active parti-
san work.
1T is exceedingly strange that the
scope and nature OF this reform are go
little understood, aud that 40 many
things not included within Its plan are
called by Its name. When csvil 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 details; 1t may
! De misunderstood and opposed; 1t may
not always be faithfully applied; its
ldealRns may sometimes misoarry
through mistake or wilful intent; it
may sometimes tremble under the as
sault Of its enemies or lanRuish under
the misguided zeal of impracticable
friends. But IL the people of this ooun-
| try ever submit to the banishmeut of
its underlying principle from the op-
erstion of their government, they will
abandon the surest guarantee of the
safety and success Of American institu-
| tions.
81 invoke for this reform the cheerful
and ungrudging support Of the Con-
gress. renew my recommendation
made last year that the salaries of the
Com mIssioners be NJ ade equal to other
officers Of the government having like
duties and responsibilities, and hope
that such reasonable appropriations
may be made rs will enable them TO
incr ease the usefulness of the cause
they had In charge"
THE PREEDMAN's BANK.
The message closes with recon-
l. endatiou that the outstanding obliga-
tions of the defunct Freedman's Savings
Bank, to the amount of 1881. 744,
should be assumed by the government
"What, you coughing yet, my friend?"
"Of courde; my cold is no better,
i "Well, don't stand on the order of go.