New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-07


svmpathy, or the tender msrcies Of social and
poItical influence with their IN ust discrImina-
tons.
The discharged soldiers and sailors of the country
are orr fellowcitIkens. and interested with us IN
the passage and faithful execution of wholesome
laws They cannot be swervsd from their dnty OF
Citizenship by artfu Appeals to their spiri' Oh
brotherhood born of common. peril and suffering
nor Will they exact test of devotion 10 heir wei
fare willingness to neglect public duty IN their
behalf
PATENTS.
On the 18th of March, 1888. the current business
OF the Patent Office was. on an average. five and q
half months in arrears. and. several divisions,
moro than twelve months behind. At the close OF
the last fiscal year such current work was nut
three months III arrears and 1t Is asserted ann 10
lieved that 10 the next few months The delay IN
obtaining examination OF an application LOT
patent nj be but nominal.
The number of applications for patents dnrng
the last hsca year ioclning reIs,nei, hes'e com
s;derably IN excess of the number receiver during
any preceding year.
aggregate Tl.205, 167 80, enabling the Office 10
turn int the Treasury a surplus revenue, over ana
above all expenditures, of about 1888, 10 80
The number OF patents ga1fed during tue iast
fiscal year including reissues, trademarks, designs
aud labels was 25,6l9-a number also quite largely
in ercess of that of any preceding year
The report OF the COmmls-lOner shows the ONCE
to he in prosperous condition and cons family IN
creasDg in its business. No increase of force Is
asked for.
The amount e,tim ateh for the fiscal year ending
June 30 $50. was $500, 76O The amount est-
mated for the year ending June 80, 1887, was
$S53,96O The amount Estimated for the hscai year
ending June 80, 1858, Is $77S,170
PACIFIC RAILROADS
The Secretary OF the Interior suggests a change in
the plan for the payment of the Indebtedness of the
Pacific subsidized roads to the Government. His
sug gestion has the unanimous Endorsement of the
persons selected by tie Government to act as
Director of these roads and protect the interests OF
the l. Ited States in the board of direction. In
consllcrlng the plan proposed the sole matters
which shOnld he Ia ken into account, in nv 0plncn.
are the situation OF tie Government as creditor,
and the sureSt way to srcnre The payment OF the
principal an interest OF its deht.
BY recent decision ot he Supreme Court OF fne
United States II has been adudged that the laws Oh
the several States are imperative 10 regulate rates
of transportation upon railroads. If such regulation
inerferes with the rate of carriage from one State
in.o snother. This important field of control and
regulation having been TINS left entirely nm
occupied, the expedieDcy of Federal acton upon
the subject is worthy of consideration.
THE LABOR Blu E,U.
The relations of labor to capital and of laboring
men to their EMPLOYERS are of the utmost concern
TO every patriotic citizen. When these strained
and distorted, uniustiiabe claims are apt to be
insisted upon Ivy both interests, and in the eontro-
yersy which results the welfare OF all ana me
Of the country are leoparfiized. Any
of the General Government. within
such a condition. should he willingly accorded.
In a special message transmitted to the Congress
at its Last session | Suggested the enlargement of
our present Labor Bureau an adding TO It's present
functions the power of arbitration IN cases where
differences arise between employer AMI employed.
When these differences reach such stage as 10
result in the interruption of commerce betwe tie
States, the application of this remedy by the
G-neral Government might he regarded as entirely
within its constitutional powers. And think We
might reasonably hope that such arbiirat0rs If
carefully selected and If entitle 10 the confidence
of the parties to be Affected would be yolun ,afily
called to the settlement of controversies OF less
extent aud not necessarily within the dominion OF
Federal regulation. r..
| am of the opinion that ths suggestion is
worthv the attention of the Congress.
Bat after all this has bern done by the passage OF
laws either Federal State 10 relieve situation
full Of solicitude much more remains 10 be &C
by the rensta tement and cultvatIon OF
q true American sentiment which recognizes the
equality of American citizenship. This, IN the
light Of our traditions and in LOYALTY 10 the spirit
Of our institutions would teach that hearty CO.
operation the part OF all interests IA the surest
path national greatness and the happiness OF all
Dur people, that caoit,l should, In recognition of
the brotherood of our citizenship AMI in spirit of
American fairness. generously accord to labor its
u.t compensation and consideration, and that CON
tented labor is capitals best protection and faith
Tul ally. 1t would teach, too, that the diverse
situations of our people are inseparable from onr
utilization. that every citizen should. IN his
sphere, be contributor TO the general good that
,apital docs not necessarily tend 10 the oppression
Of labor, and that viDlent disturbances and dis
,ympathy and kindly feeling
AGRICuLIURE.
The Department Of Agriculture, representing the
,llest AMI largest of national industries, is
subserv;ng well the purposes OF its organization.
By the trod uction of new subjects OF farming ei-
terror an by opening new sources OF agricultural
" It'll the dissent alton OF early information
4 production and prices. IL has Contributed
largely To the conntry's prosperity. Through this
agency, advanced Thought and investigation touch
ha ,i.cfa n has m shnult
,tler things be practically applied 10 the home
at iOw cos: OF articles OF food which
ire now imported from abroad. Such an inno-
FatiOn will necessarily of course IN the beginning
BIZ within the domain of intelligent experiment.
md the subject in every stage should receive all
possible encouragement from the Government
The interests of millions OF our citizens engaged
n agriculture are involved IN an enlargement and
Improvement OF the results OF their labor and a
Jealous regard for their welfare should he willing
fibute 10 those whose productive returns are .
main source of our progress an power.
The exist n . Of pleurD pneumoula among the
,attle of various States has lcd TO burdensOpe and
n some cases disastrous restrictions in an i'm
,ortaDt branch oiour commerce. threatening To AZ
ect the quantity ant quality Of our food supply This
a maj er of sue Importance and such far reaching
unseuueices that hope il will engage the serious
ltteniIOn of the Congress. to the emil that such
emedS may be applied as Tho limits of a constItu-
ional delegation of power TO the General Govern
nent will permit.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
,ur Civil Service has added the most con vincing
proofs of its necessity and usefulness. 1t is fact
worthy of note that every public officer who has n
u>t idea of his duty to the people, testies to the
alus of this reform. It's stanchcst friends are
ound among those who understand it best, and its
EARNEST supporters are, those who are restrained
ma projected By its requirements
The meaning of sLch restraint aud protection IS |
Tot appreciated Dy those who want places under
he Government regardless of merit and efficiency |
Tor by those Who insist that The selection for such
, aces should rost upon proper crcdental show
ng active partisan work. They mean to public |
,ffcers if not their lives, the only opportunity |
ltiordel them TO attend to public business. and |
ney to the good people Of the country the |
,etter performance of the work Of their Govern |
nent
Ii Is exceedingly strange that the scope and nature
# this reform are 50 lit 10 understood and that 30
nanv things not included within its plan called
~ its When cavl yields more fully TO eX- |
animation the system will have large additions to |
he number of its friends.
Our Civil Service reform may be imperfect in |
of ue als: he mi an ndrrnf In and 1