Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1886-12-11


should receive all possible announcement from
the government. The interests Of millions Of
our citizens engaged in agriculture are involved
in an enlargement of the results OF their labor;
and q Jealous regard for their welfare should be
q willing tribute to those whose productive re-
turns are . main source of our progress and
power.
CATTLE DrsEAsE.
The existence of pleuro- pneumonia among the
cattle OF various States has led to burdensome,
and, i'll some cases, disastrous restrictions in an
important branch OF our commerce, threatening
70 affect the quantity and quality of our food
and OF such far-reachins consequences, that
!hope 1t will engage the serious attention Of
the Congress to the end that such a remedy
tioral delegation Of power to the General Gov
eminent will permit l commend to the con-
sideration OF the Congress- the report OF the
Commissioner and his suggestions concerning
the interests intrusted to his care.
C1vlL-sEivlCE REFORM.
me continued operation OF the law relating
vihcinS proofs OF its necessity and usef, lness.
It is a fact worthy of note that every public Of
the people testif's To the value of this
reform. Its stancllest friends are found
among those who understand it best.
and its warlnest supporters are those who nro
n.str ! led and protected by its requirements.
The meaning of sucn restraint and protection
is not appreciated by those who want places un-
der the Government, regardless OF merit and
efficiency, nor by those who insist that the So
lection for such places should rest upon
tisan work. They mean to public officers
the only opportunity nito ded them to attend to
public business, and they mean to thu good reo-
pie OF the country the better p rformance of the
work of their Government. 1t il exceedingly
strange that the scope and nature of this reform
are so little understood, and that 10 many things
not included within its plan are called by its
name. When cavil yields more fully to OK
animation. 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 he misunderstood aud opposed it may
not always be faithfully applied its designH
may sometimes miscmrry through mistake
or willfnl intent: it may sometimes tremblo
under the assaults OF its enemies, or lauguish
under the misguided zeal OF iinpructicable
friends. but If the people OF this country ever
submit to the banislln"nt OF its underlying
principle from the operation Of their Govern
lnent, they will abandon the sulcst guarantee
OF the safety and sncccss of American institu-
tions. l invoke for this reform the cheerful
and unsrudsins SUPPORT Of consrrss.
l renew my recommendation, made
last year, that the C"lum ssioncrs be made
equnl t. OTHER officers of the Government having
like duties and rrspons!b Utilities, and hope TINT
such reasonable appropriations may be made
US will enable them to increas the usefulness
OF the cause t ey have charge OF.
FHEEDMAN'S BANK DEruSITORs.
1desire to call tn" attention OF the ,%:ongrcss
to IL plain duty which the Government owes to
the depositors IN the Frecdlnan's savings and
Trust Company. his company was chartered
by tho Congress for the benefit of the most
iliiter"ts and humble Of our people, and
i'll industry and thrift. Most Of the
branches were presided over by officers holding
tho commissions and clothed in the uniform OF
the United States. These and other circuln-
stances r ,asonably, l think, led these simple
people to suppose that the invitation to deposit
their ;"h1iI aar ID earned savings in in tahis inst lit .n.,.
Government thnt their money should be safely
kent for them. When this company fuiled it
was liable in the sum of S2,93 US. y to 1871
ueDO6itOrS. Dividends amounting in the AZ
gregnte TO Go per cent. have been declared, and
the sum called Tor and paid of such dividends
from the entire amount Of deposits. leaves
sl,29l. 744.5o still unpaid. Past experience
ssm s shHI nnt i ho ca qa.i' for. ' Thsrs part are Q, ass s.ts
still on hand amounting to the estimated sum
of $4,000. ! think the remaining thirty-eight
claimants should be paid by the Government
upon principles of equity and fairness. The re-
port of the Commissioners. soon to be laid be-
fore Congress-. will give moro satisfactory de-
tails on this subject.
DISTRICT OF
The control Of the affairs Of the District Of
Columbia having been placed III the hands Of
purely executive otIicers, while the Congress
still retains all Legislative authority relating TO
its government, it becomes my duty TO make
known the pressing needs OF the District. and
recomm-nd their consideration. The laws OF
the District appear to be in an uncertain and
unsatisfactory condition, aud their codification
or revision is much needed.
During the past year one Of the bridges lead
Ing from tne DlbtTlct 70 INC DRUG OF NlrEllllA
became unit for use and travel upon it was for
bidlen. This lends me to suggest TINT the i'm
proveInent OF all the bridges crossing the Poto-
mac and its branches from the City Of WASH
ington il worthy Of the attention Of Congress.
The Commissioners Of the District represent
that the laws regulating the sale of liquor and
granting licenses therefor should be at once
amended. und THAI Legislation is needed
to consolidate, define, aud enlarge the
scope and powers OF the charitable.
and penal institutions within tho District. I
suggest that the Commissioners be clothed with
the power 70 make. within fixed limitations. po-
lice regulations. I believe this power granted
and carefully guarded would tend to subserve
the good order OF the municipality.
it seems that trouble still exisss growing ont
OF the occupation of the streets and avenues by
certain railronds having their terrnini in tho
city. 1t is very important that such laws should
be enacted upon this subject rs will secure to
the railroads all the facilities they require for
the transaction Of their business, and ut the
same time protect citizens from injury to their
persons or property.