National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-01-09

The strangest and most dlscreditable
feature or characteristic Of the government
OF the United States, as It now exists and
rs 1t has been in the past, is studied neglect
Of the one great interest which undorlics all
others, the one great industry without
which all others would be impossible, aud
which far exceeds them all in the magni-
tude OF its products and in the extent Of its
direct contribution to the growth Of our
national wealth.
The department of agriculture, which is
the only recognition the farmer gets in our
governmental machinery, was not estab-
lished until very recent date, and since its
nominal establishment IL has been treated rs
II II were poor relation OF somewhat
clouded paternity and bad habits, or n
troublesome tramp begging cold "hand-
out" at the backyard gate Of the Union
family mansion. The profession Of the law
may be fairly charged with most Of the
responsibility for this great and injurious
blunder this persistent discrimination
against the farming interest; for the coun-
try is ruled by lawyers. They control Con-
gress and direct the business Of the execu-
tive departments; they make, they inter
pref, and they execute the laws. II is a
grand profession, and every page of the
history Of this republic is tribute 10 its
honor. But the ruling profession has not
shown fair appreciation Of the agricultural
interest, and the shabby treatment OF the
department Of agriculture is not creditable
TO its craftsmanship or It's sense OF justice
Half the people Of the United States are
engaged in farming. II is shown by official
statistics that our largest total exports in n
single year were during the twelve months
ended June 80, 1881, when they were, ex-
GLIDING specie, valued at $sS3,925,0i7. For
the last five years an average Of 7s.42 per
cent. of these exports has consisted of agri-
cultural products. The value Of wheat ex-
ports for the last twenty-four years was
| S1,0O0, 100000, and Of -four 500, 900, 900.
Since the war closed $4,000 bales of cot
ton, valued at over$3, 1000 900, have been
exported.
The chairman Of the House committee
on agriculture, Mr.. Hatch, Of Missouri, in
recent speech in the House cited statistics
showing that for the last twenty-five years
one-fourth Of our products of agriculture
have been sent abroad. The carrying OF
these exports to seaboard by rail and water
/ gave $4,000, 900 tons Of freight to our carry.
ing companies in ten years, representing to
them business of $500, 100000. These ex-
ports for the last ten years amounted ia
$7000,0 600, 00O Great Britain taking about
foursevenths Of the whole, or SO, $685. 900.
eco. For the ten years ended June 80, 1884
Great Britain took about sos, 900 bushels
Of wheat out of an export of 10000, 0OC
bushels; 81 100000 of 100000 barrels Of
wheat four I45,0OO,00O of 10000 0C
bushels of Indian corn, and $1,000, 0OO,0
worth out Of 50, 600, OOO 600 worth OF cotton
Three-fourths Of our exports are agrlcul.
tural products, and Of these England takes
about-two-thirds, or about one-half OF the
whole.
Having given these statistical fncts-fact!
that may be fairly called stupendous IL
their magnitude-Mr. Hatch added:
This is the great industry OF the country, ant
this is the number of our population engaged
in and interested in II which gets from thu
government in these annual bills the beggarl,
sum of about $500, 900, and that has been In
creased TO that amount by these special act,
creating the bureau of animal industry 70
the protection OF the live stock of the country
and the 100000 which we reduced in the las
appropriation bill to $4,000 for tho statistical
bureau.
Half a million for the support of dc
partment that represents 80, COX, 900 of on
population and furnishes three-fourths o
our exports Compare this pitlful sun
with the appropriations for the support o
the navy or the army. A half million woult
about suffice to build and equip singl
gunboat or 10 keep battalion in the flel,
for q single year. Among the great nun
Der Of objects to which the department Q
agriculture gives special attention ther
are several on each Of which the half millio
might be probably expended-such, 70
instance, as the investigation and sur
preston Of diseases Of cattle and swim
and the promotion Of sugar making.
Until this branch of the public service
made department in the full sense OF I'll
word, until 1t is put on equality with I'll
other departments, and its head is autho
lied and required to take a seat at tn
Cabinet council table, 1t will continue I
,, be neglected, will remain an object OF col
, temptuous charity in the minds Of man
, Congressman and the editors OF sundr
, metropolitan newspapers.
When the head of this department
made Cabinet officer the President an
, Congress will be brought into such relation
with II us win conduce to fair understand
Ing Of its objects and its necessities. 1t
!, now detached or gone-astray brancl
! Let 1t be called home and made to feel
home-not for charity's sake, but for m
. tives OF sound economy. For there is 1
part Of the service that will pay its WI
better than this.
: Whether other interests should be q
O., tached to It ON its erection into full d
partmental stature is q subject which v
= prefer TO discuss at another time, but it
emlnently fitting and expedIent that Il
legislation we have indicated should be HI
during the present session of Congress.
= is high time for agriculture to have a re
@ resentHtive in the Cabinet, as was recor