Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1886-12-09
THE DEPARTMENT OF AeR1cUITURF,

of early information concerning produc-
ton and prices. 1t has contributed large
| ly to the country's prosperity through
this agency of advanced thought and in
vestigation, and touching the subjects it
has in charge, should among other things
be practically applied to the home pro-
duction at low cost, of articles OF food
which are now imported from abroad.
Such an Innovation will necessarily,
of course, in the beginning be
within the dominion of intelligent
experiments, and the subject in every
stage, should receive all possible encour-
agement from the government. The in
terests of millions of our citizens engaged
In agriculture are involved in an enlarge
ment and improvement of the results of
their labor; and jealous regard for
their welfare should be willing tribute
to those whose productive returns are
main source of our progress and power.
The existence of pIeuro pneumonia among
! the cattle of various states has led to-
! burdensOme, anG In some cases, d1sas-
! trous restriction in an important
! branch of our commerce and threatening
to affect the quantity and quality of our
meat supply. This is matter Of such
Importance and of such far-reacbing con-
! sequences that I hope it will engage the
serious attention of congress. To the
end that such remedy may be applied
as to the limits of constitutional dele
! cation of power to the general govern
ment as will permit, I commend to the
consideration of the congress the report
of the commissioner and his suggestions
| concerning the interest intrusted to bis
| care. The continued operation of the
law relating to our
CIVIL SERVICE
has.added to the most convincing proofs
of its necessity and usefulness. It is a
fact worthy of note that every public of
fcer who has a just idea of his duty to
the people, testifies to the value of this
reform. It's staunchest friends are found
| among those who understand it best, and
its warmest supporters are those who are
restrained and protected by its require
ments. The meaning of such restraint
and protection is not appreciated by
those who want places under the govern
ment regardless of merit and efficiency,
nor by those who insist that the selection
! for such places should rest upon proper
credentiaI showing active partizan work.
1t is exceedingly strange that the scope
and nature of this reform are so little
understood, and that SO many things not
included within the plans are called by
its name. When civil service yields more
fully to examination, the system will have
large addition to the number of its
friends. Our civil service reform may be
| imperfect in some o. its details. It may
be misunderstood and opposed. It
may not always be faithfully applied.
Its designs may sometime miscarry
through mistake, or will fail in
| intent; may sometimes tremble
under the assaults of its enemies Or
languish under the misguided zeal Of
| impracticable friends. The people
of this country will never submit to the
Punishment Of its underlying principles
from the operation of their government.
They will not abandon the surest guaran-
tees of the safety and success of Ameri-
can institutions. [ envoke fOr this re-
form the cheerful and ungrudging sup
port of the congress. [ renew my recon-
mendatiOn made last year, that the COM
missioners be MADE eqnal to other
officers of the government, having like
duties and responsibilities, and I hope
that such reasonable appropriations may
be made as will enable them to increase
the usefulness of the cause they have
charge of.
FREEDMEN's BANK.
desire to call the attention of the con-
gress to plain duty which the government
owes to the depositors in the Freedmen's
Savings and Trust Company. This
company was chartered by the congress
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
holding the commission and clothed in
the uniform of the United States. These
and other circumstances I reasonably
think, led these simple people to sup
! pose that the invitation to deposit their
| hard earned savings in this institution
! implied an undertaking on the part of
| their government that their money should
be safely kept for them. When this COM
pany failed it was liable in the sum of
| $2,939, 925.22 to 61,1 31 depositors. Divi-
dends amounting in the aggregate to
sixty-two per cent have been declared off.
J The sum called, and paid of such diyi-
, dends seem to be s., 64S, 1912. This sum
deducted from the entire amount of de-
| posits leaves $1,129,744.50 still unpaid.
Past experiences has shown that quite
! large part of this sum will not be called
! for. There are assets still on hand
amounting to the estimated sum of S16,-
COO. think the remaining thirty-eight per
cent. of such of these deposits as have
claimants, should be paid by the govern
ment upon principles of equality and
fairness. The report of the commission
er, soon be laid before congress, will
give more satisfactory details on this
subject.
The control of the affairs of the
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA,
having been placed in the hands of
purely executive officers while congress
still retains all legislative authority relat-
ing to its government, it becomes my
! duty to make known the most pressing
needs of the district, and recommend
their consideration. The laws of the dis
trict appear to be III an uncertain and IN
satisfactory condition, and their codifica-
ton Or revision is much needed. During the
past year one of the bridges leading from
the district to the state of Virginia be-
came unfit for use, andtravel upon it for
| hidden. This leads me to suggest the
improvement of all the bridges crossing