The times., 1888-12-07

those engaged In Il wero alarmed at the rapid ex,
tension OF the European luna plague OF pleuro
pneumonia. Serious outbreaks existed In Illinois
Missouri aud kentucky and In Tennessee animal,
affected were held In quarantine Five counties
Ia New Yo and from one TO -four counties ID
each of the states OF New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
Delaware and Maryland were almost equally ar
fected.
With this great danger upon US and with the
contagion already In the channels OF commerce
with the enormous direct and indirect loses aij
ready being caused by II, and when only prompt
aud energetic action could be successful, there
were in none OF those states any laws authorizing
this department TO eradicate the ady or givl
ing the state officials power to cooperate with II
for this purpose. The department even lacked
By securing state cooperation In connection
with authority from congress, the work of eradii
cation has been pressed successfully, and this
western states and also from the eastern states
with the exception OF few restricted areas
which are still under supervision, The danger
has thus been removed and trade and commercc
have been freed from the vexatious state res
strictions which were deemed necessary for d
time
During the first four years the process OF dffu11
sion, as applied to the manufacture of sugar
from sorghum and sugar cane has been intro
the experiments carried on by the department OF
agriculture. This process Is now universally
considered con to be the best. economsa
sorghum-snga industry has been established |
upon firm basis and the road to its future sue
Cess opened. Inc adoption or this ulHuSiO1 prO-I
cess is also extending in Louisiana and other
sugar parts OF the country, and will doubtless
soon be the only method mployed for the ex
traction OF sugar from the cane. An exhaustivc
study has also within the same period been un-
dettaken of I. subject of food adulteration and
the best analytical methods for detecting it. A
part OF the result OF this work has already beon
published by the department, which with the
matt matter in course OF preparation win make the
' iRst has hss sssr Ses PUBLISHED 81 ha' ia sa
country. The departm mt seeks a progressive
development. IL would combine the discoveries
OF science with the eccIoinies and amelioration|
OF rural practice. A supervision OF the endowed
experimental station system recently provided
for, Is proper function OF the department. and|
now In operation. This supervision iS very Inn
portait and sh uld be wisely and vlgilantly di-
rected to tho end, that the pecuniary aid of theI
should be so applied as to fesut Ia the general
good aud 10 the benatt Of all our people, thus
1nstifying the appropriation made from ths pub
The adjustment OF the relations between the
government and the railroad companies which
have received land grants and the guaranty Of
IN public credit in aid or the construction OF
their roads should receive early attention. TheI
report ( majority OF the commissioners ap-
of these road, in which they favor an xtension
or the time for the payment OF such Indebtedness
in at least one case where the corporation appears
10 be aUle 10 comply with well guarded and exact
terms OF such exten ion and the reinforcement OF
their opinion by gentlemen of undoubted business
Judgment and experience appointed 70 protect
said corporation may well lead to the belief that
such an extension would be to tue advantage OF
the government. The subject should oe treated
rs business proposition with e. view TO final
realization OF ts Indebtedness by the government
rather than as question 10 be decided upon
prejudice or by way OF punishment for previous
The report of the commissioners Of the District
OF Columbia, with its accompanying documents.
give in detail the operations OF tho several de-
partments OF the district government and furnish
evidence that tue financial affairs OF tie district
are at present in SUCH salts octory condition as 10
justify the commissioners in submitting TO the
congress Estimates for desirable and needed i'm
provements. The commissioners recommend
certain legislation which, in their opinion Ia nee
essary to advance the nIere Is of the district. 1
invite your special attention to their request for
such legislation AZ will enable the com uissioners
range the laws by which the district h
governed and which are row embraced Ia
eral collections, making them available only with
great difficulty and labor. The su xgestions they
make touching desirable amendments 10 the
laws relating 10 licenses granted for carrying on
the retail traffic in spirituous liquors, to the OBJ
servance OF Sunday, to the proper assessment
nnd collection OF taxes. to the speedy punish
ment OF minor Offenders and to the manage, nent
and control Of the reformatory and charitable In
sttutions supported by congressional appropria-
tions, are commended to care and consideration.
again call attention 20 the present inconven-
tence and the danger 10 life and property attend
ing the operation OF steam railroads through and
and across the public streets and roads of the
will properly guard tie use of these railroads and
better secHre the convenience and safety Of citi
gems Is manifest.
In conclusion the president says:
The consciousness that | have presented you
but an imperfect statement of the condition of
our country and It's wants, occasi ms no fear that
anything omitted Is not known and appreciated
by this congress- upon wnom rests the respunsi-
bilty Of intelligent legislation in behalf of great
nation and a coniding peope.
As public servants we shall do our duty well IL
we constantly guard the rectitude of our inten-
tions, maintain unsulied our love of country, and
with unselfsh purpose strive for the public good.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Washington, d. c., Dec 8, 1883.