Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-07
AGRIcULTURAL pEPARTlIENT.

The Department of Agriculture, representing
the Oldest and largest of national industries is
subscribing well the purposes of its organization.
By the introduction of new subjects of farming
enterprise, and by opening new sources of agri-
cultural wealth and the discrimination of early
information concerning production and prices,
it has contributed largely to the country pros
perity. Through this agency OF advanced
thought and investigation touching the subject s
it has in charge, it should, among other things
be practically applied to the home production
at low cost of articles offered which are now
imported from abroad. Such an innovation will
necessarily, of course, in the beginning be
within the domain of intelligent experiments,
and the subject in every stage should receive all
possible encouragement from the Government.
The interests of millions of our citizens en-
gagged in agriculture are involved in the en-
largement and improvement of the results of
their labor. and Jealous regard for their well
fare should be a willing tribute to those whose
productive returns are a main source of our
progress and power.
The existence of pleuropneumonia among
the cattle of various States has led to burden
some, and, in some cases, disastrous restrictions
in an important branch of our commerce.
threatening to affect the quantity and quality
of our supply. This is a matter of such i'm
portance, and ofsuch far-reaching consequences
that hope it will engage the serious attention
of Congress, to the end that such remedy may
be applied as the limits of a constitutional dele
cation of power to the General Government will
permit | commend to the consideration of
Congress the report of the Commissioner and
his suggestions concerning the interest intrusted
to his care
The continued operation of the law relating
to our Civil Service has added to the most con-
vincing proofs of its necessity and usefulness
1t is fact worthy of note that every public Off
| Ger who has just idea of his duty to the peo-
| pie testifies to th& value of this REFORM Its
stanchest friends are found among those who
| understand it best, and its warmest supporters
are those who are restrained and protected by
| its requirements. The meaning of such re-
straint and protection is not fully appreciated
| by those who want places under Government,
regardless of merit and efficiency, nor by those
who insist that elections for such places should
rest on proper credentials showing active,
partisan work. 1t is exceedingly strange
that the scope and nature of this re-
form are so little understood, and that so
many things not included within its plan are
called by its name. When civil service yields
more fully to examination the system wi have
large additions to the number of its friends.
Your civil service reform may be imperfect in
some of its Details it may be mi understood and
opposed; it may not always be faii hfuly ap-
piled. and its intent may sometimes tremble
under the assaults of its enemies, or languish
under the misguided zeal of friends. If the peo-
Pile of this country ever submit to the Danish
ment of its underlying principle from the opera
ton of their Government, they viii abandon the
surest guarantee of the safety and success of
American institutions. | invoke for this reform
the cheerful and ungrudging support of Con-
gress. again renew my recommendation, made
last year, thattne Commissioners be made equal
to other officers of the Government having like
duties and responsibilities, and hope thai such
reasonable appropriations may be made as
would enable them to increase the usefulness of
the cause they have charge of.
l desire to call the attention of Congress to a
plain duty which the Government owes to the
depositors in the Freedman Savings and Trust
Company. This company was chartered by Con-
gress for the benefit of the most illiterate and
humble of our people, and with the intention of
encouraging in them industry and thrift. Most
OF its branches were presided over by officers
clothed 10
uniform of the United States. These and other
circumstances reasonably. think, led these
simple people to suppose that the Invitation to
deposit their hard-earned savings in this insti-
tuition implied an undertaking on the part of
the Government that their money should be
safely KEPT for them. When this company
failed ii liable in the sum OF s, $50 925 % to
81, Isl depositors. Dividends amounting in the
aggregate 10 60 per cent. have been declared,
and the sum called for and paid of such divi-
dends seems to be 81 ,6fS,1S1 rs. This sum de-
Quoted from the entire amount of deposits
leaves 81 291, IA 10 still unpaid Past experience
has shown that quite large part of this sum
will not be called for. There are assets St,ll on
hand amounting to the estimated sum of SIG
900 think the remaining 80 per cent. of each
of these deposits as have claimants should be
paid by the Government upon principles of
equity and fairness The report Of the Commits
sioner soon to be laid before Congress, will give
more satisfactory details on this subject.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The control of the affairs of the District of
Co umbia having been placed in the hands of
purely executive officers, while Congress still
retains legislative authority relating to its gov
ernmeut it becomes my duty to make known
the most p essing needs of the District and
recommend their consideration The laws of
the District appear to be in an uDcertain and
unsatisfactory condition, and their codilie alton
or revision is much needed. During the past
year one of the bridges leading from the Dis
triet TO the State of Virginia became unfit for
use, and travel upon it was forbidden. This
| leads me to suggest that improvement of all the
bridges crossing the Potomac and its branches
| from the City of Washington, is worthy the at
| tention of Congre IS The Commissioners of the
| District represent that the laws regulating the
| sale of liquor, and granting licenses therefor.
should be at once amended, and that leeisl alton
| is needed to consolidate define and enlarge the
| scope aud powers of charitable and penal TO-
| the Commissioners be clothed with the
power TO make, within fixed limitation,
police regulations. l believe this power.
granted and properly exercised, would
| tend to subSerye the good order of the munich
pality. It seems that trouble exists growing out
ofthe occupation of the streets and avenues by
certain railroads having their termini in the
city. 1t is very important that such laws sh ould
be enacted upon this subject as will secure to
the railroads all the facilities they require for
the transaction of their business and at the same
| time protect her citizens from injury 10 their
persons or property. The Commissioners again
complain that the accommodations afforded
them for the necessary offices for district bust
ness. and for the safe keeping of valuable books
and papers. entirely inefficient I recon-
mend that this condition of affairs be remedied
by Congress. and that suitable quarters be fur
| nished for the need of the District government
/ In conclusion. ! earnestly invoke such action on
the part of the peoples Legislators as will sub
serve the public good and demonstrate during
| the remaining days of Congress- as at present
organized. its ability and inclination to SO meet
Al. FILL