The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-12-14
AN AND DEMOCRAT. BLOOMSBURG COLUMBIA COUNTY, PA.

methods for detecting H. A part Of the re-
suits Of this work has already been published
by the department, which, with the matter
in course of preparation, will make the most
complete treatise on that subject that has
ever been published in any country.
The department seeks progressive de-
velopmsnt II would combine tho discoveries
of science with the economics and ameliora-
ton Of rural practice. A supervision Of the
endowed experimental station system re-
Gently provided for, is proper function Of
the department, and Is now in operation
This supervision is very important, and
should be wisely and vigilantly directed, to
the end that the pecuniary aid Of the govern
ment in favor of intelligent agriculture
should be so applied az 10 result in the gen.
eral good and to the benefit of all our people,
thus justifying the appropriations made from
the public treasury.
RAILROAD AFFAIRS.
The adjustment Of tho relations between
the government AM the railroad companies
which have received land grants and the
guaranty Of the public credit IN aid Of the
construction of their roads should receive
early attention. The report OF majority Of
the commissioners appointed to examine the
affairs and Indebtedness of these roads, In
which they favor an extension Of the tins
for the payment Of such indebtedness In al
least one case where the corporation appears
to be able to comply with well guarded and
exact terms of such extension, and the rein
forcement of their opinion by gentlemen Of
undoubted business Judgment and expert
ence, appointed to protect the interests of
the government as directors of said corpora
tion, may well lead to the belief that such an
extension would be to the advantage Of the
government.
The subject should be treated as a business
proposition with view TO final realization
of its Indebtedness by the government, rather
than as q question to be decided upon preju-
dice or by way of punishment for previous
wrong doing.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The report of the commissioners Of the
District OF Columbia, with its accompanying
documents, gives in detail the operations Of
the several departments Of the District gov
ernment, and furnishes evidence that the
financial affairs of the district are at present
in such satisfactory condition az to justify
the commissioners in submitting to the con-
gress estimates for desirable and needed i'm
prQvements
The commissioners recommend certain leg
islation which in their opinion is necessary to
advance the interests Of the District.
L invite your special attention to their re-
quest for such legislation as will enable the
commissioners, without delay, to collect, di-
gest, and properly arrange the laws by which
the District is governed, and which are now
embraced in several collections making them
available only with great difficulty and labor.
The suggestions they make touching desir-
able amendments to the laws relating to IL
censes granted for carrying on the retail
traffic in spirituous liquors, to the observance
OF Sunday, to the proper assessment and COL
lection of taxes, to the speedy punishment of
minor Offenders and to the management and
control of the reformatory and charitable in
stitutions supported by congressional appro-
priations, are commended to careful consid-
GRAFTON.
again call attention to the present incon-
venience and the danger to life and property
attending the op ration Of steam railroads
through and across the public streets and
roads of the District The prpriety of such
legislation as will properly guard the use Of
these railroads and better secure the conve-
nience and safety of citizens is manifest
The consciousness that l have ted but
an imperfect statement of the condition Of
our country and its wants, occasions no fear
that anything omitted is not known and ap-
preciated by the congress, upon whom rests
the responsibility of intelligent legislation in
behalf of a great nation and a confiding
people.
As public servants we shall do our duty
well II we constantly guard the rectitude Of
our intentions, maintain unsullied our love
of country, and with unselflsh purpose strive
for the public good
GROVER CLEVELAND
Washington, Dec. 3, 1888.