Milford chronicle., 1888-12-07
[eosrInunD rsom rousrH rAIenl

fair understanding Of the law, and their
action was undoubtedly as thoroughly intel
ligent as their capacity admitted. It is al
least gratifying that no reproach Of over
reaching can in any manner lie against the
government, however advisable the favora-
BILE completion Of the negotiation may have
been esteemed
concur in the suggestions q the secretary
regarding the Turtle Mountain Indians, the
two reservations in California, and the Crees
They should in my opinion receive immedi-
ate attention.
PENSIONS.
The number ~ pensioners added to othe rolls
during the fisca year ended June 80, lSSs, Is
60, 252; and increase of pensions was granted
in 45,716 cases. The names OF 15,73O pen
sioners were dropped from the rolls during
the year for various causes, and at the close
Of the year the number Of persons OF all
classes receiving pensions was 1875 VI
these there were SO5 survivors OF the war Of
1872 10,7S7 widows Of those who served in
that war, O6O soldiers of the Mexican war,
and 5, l04 widows Of said soldiers
One hundred and two different rates OF
pensions are paid to these beneiieiaries,
ranging from 81 to S41G66 per month.
The amount paid for pensions during the
fiscal year was SIS, 775, ,S6l.92, being an in
crease over the preceding year Of s5,SOs,
2S02 The expenses attending the mainten-
ance and operation Of the pension bureau
during that period was s3 262, 524. Ga, making
the entire expenditures of the bureau SS2,-
OSS, ,3S657, being 21j< per cent. Of the gross
income and nearly 81 per cent. Of the total
expenditures Of the government during the
year.
REVISION OF PENSION LAWS.
am thoroughly convinced that our gem
eral pension laws should be revised and ad-
justed to meet, as far as possible in the
light of our experience, all meritorious
cases. The fact that 1O2 different rates
Of pensions are paid cannot, in my opin-
ion, be made consistent with justice to
the pensioners or to the government; and
the numerous private pension bills that are
passed, predicated upon the imperfection OF
general laws, while they increase in many
cases existing inequality and injustice, lend
additional force to the Recommendation for a
revision of the general laws on this subject.
This laxity Of ideas prevailing among a
large number Of our people regarding pen
sions is becoming every day more marked
The principles upon which they should be
granted are in danger of being altogether
ignored, and already pensions are often
claimed because the applicants are as much
entitled as other successful applicants rather
than upon any disability reasonably at
tributable to military service. If the estab
lishment of vicious precedents be continued,
if the granting of pensions be not divorced
from partisan and other unworthy and irrel-
evant considerations, and If the honorable
~
means but another term for one who con
stantly clamors for the aid of the govern
ment, there Is danger that injury will be
done to the fame and patriotism Of many
whom our citizens all delight to honor, and
that a prejudice will be aroused unjust to
applicants for pensions
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The department of agriculture has contin-
ued, with a good measure OF success, its eff
forts to develop the processes, enlarge the re-
suits, and augment the profits of American
1t has collected and distributed
practical information, introduced and tested |
new plants, checked the spread of contagious |
disease Of farm animals, resisted the ad |
vance Of noxious insects and destructive fun |
gus growths, and sought to secure to agricul-
tural labor the highest reward Of effort and
the fullest immunity from loss Its records
Of the year show that the season Of 1883 has
been one Of medium production. A gener
ous supply of the demands of consumption |
has been assured, and surplus for exporta-
lion, moderate in certain products and boun-
tiful in others, will prove a benefaction alike
10 buyer and grower.
Four years ago it was found that the great
,attle industry Of the country was endan-
zered. and those engaged in it were alarmed
1t the rapid extension Of the European lung
plague Of pleuro-pneumonia. Serious out
breaks existed in Illinois, Missouri and Ken
lucky, and in Tennessee animals affected |
we're held in quarantine Five counties in
New York and from one to four counties in
zach of the states OF New Jersey, Pennsyl.
rania, Delaware and Maryland were almost
,qually affected.
ERADICATION OF PLEURO-PNEUMoNIA.
With this great danger upon us, and with
he contagion already in the channels of COM
nerce, with the enormous direct and indirect
osses already being caused by it, and when
,nly prompt and energetic action could be
uccessful, there were in none of these states
my laws authorizing this department to
Eradicate the malady or giving the state
,fiicials power to cooperate with it for this
purpose. The department even lacked both
The requisite appropriation and authority.
By securing state cooperation in connec-
ion with authority from congress, the work
# eradication has been pressed successfully,
his dreaded disease has been extirpated from
he western states and also from the eastern
tates, with the exception of few restricted
.reas which are still under supervision. The
LANCER has thus been removed, and trade
nd commerce have been freed from the vex-
tious state restrictions which were deemed
eoessary for a time.
During the past four years the process of
as applied to the manufacture Of
ugar from sorghum and sugar cane, has
cen introduced into this country and fully
effected by the experiments carried on by
be department Of agriculture. This process
now universally considered to be the most
economical one, and it is through it that the
Orghum sugar industry has been established
pom firm basis, and the road to its future
lccess opened. The adoption of this diffu-
ion process is also extending in Louisiana
nd other sugar producing parts of the coun-
ry, ard will doubtless soon be the only
iethod employed for the extraction Of sugar
rom the cane.
An exhaustive study has also, within the
ame period, been undertaken Of the subject
( food adulteration and the best analytical
lethods for detecting it. A part of the re-
llts of this work has already been published /
y the department, which, with the matter
! course Of preparation, win make the most
1mplete treatise on that subject that has
YER been published in any country
The department seeks q progressive de- I
1t would combine the discoveries
I science with the economics and ameliora. !
=
ldowed experimental station system re-
entity provided for, is proper function Of /
le department, and is now in operation.
his supervision is very important, and
lould be wisely and vigilantly directed, to :
lie end that the peeuniary aid of the govern
ent in favor of intelligent agriculture
lould be so applied as to result in the gem
al good and to the benefit Of all our people,
Ins justifying the appropriations made from {
le public treasury.
RAILROAD AFFAIRS.