Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-12-03
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
roonsaued from sirsn paoe.l

tConaaued from sxtn puge.l
not divorced from partisan and other unworthy
and irrelevant considerations. and il the honor
able name of veteran unfairly becomes by these
means but another term for one who constantly
clsmors for the aid of the government. there is
danger that injury will be done TO the fame and
patriotism OF many whom our citizens all de-
light to honor, and that a prejudice will be
aroused unjust to meritorious applicants for
pensions.
THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
has continued, with good measure of success,
its efforts to develop the processes, enlarge the
results, and augment the profits of American
husbandry. 1t has collected and distributed
practical information introduced and tested
new plants, checked the spread Of contagious
disease of farm animals, resisted the advance
of noxious insects and destructive fungus
growths. and sought to secure to agricultural
labor the highest reward Of effort and the full
est immunity from loss. Its records of the
year show that the season of 1888 has been one
of medium production. A generous supply of
the demands of consumption has been assured,
and a surplus for expectation, moderate in GER
tain products and bountiful in others, will
prove a benefaction alike to buyer and grower.
THE CATTLE INDUSTRY ENDANGERED.
Four years ago it was found that the great
cattle industry of the country endangered.
and those engaged in it were alarmed at the
of pleuro-pneumonia. Serious outbreaks ex-
listed in Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, and
in Tennessee animals affected were held in
quarantine. Five counties in New York and
from one to four counties in each OF the states
of New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Delaware, and
Maryland were almost equally affected. With
this great danger upon US. and with the con-
tagion already in the channels of commerce,
with the enormous direct and indirect losses
already being caused by IT. and when only
prompt and energetic action could be success
full there were in none of these states any laws
authorizing this department TO eradicate the
malady OF giving the state officials power to CO.
operate with it for this purpose. The depart
ment even lacked both the requisite appropri-
alton and authority.
By securing state cooperation in connection
with authority from Congress the work OF Grad
ication has been pressed successfully. and this
dreaded disease has been extirpated from the
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 COM
merce have been freed from the vexatious state
restrictions which were deemed necessary for
time.
SUGAR EXPERIMENTS
During the past four years the process of
diffusion, as applied to the manufacture of su-
gar from sorghum and sugar-cane, has been
introduced into this country and fully perfect
ed by the experiments carried on by the De-
partment of Agriculture. This process is now
universally considered to be the most econom-
lcal one. and II is through 1t that the sorghum
sugar industry has been established upon firm
basis and the road to its future success opened.
The adoption of this diffusion process is also
extending in Louisiana and other sugar pro-
dueing parts of the country, and will doubtless
soon be the only method employed for the ex-
traction Of sugar from the cane.
FOOD ADULTERArIoS
An exhaustive study has also, within the
same period, been undertaken of the subject
of food adulteration and the best analytical
methods for detecting it A part of the results
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 pub
Hshed in any country.
The department seeks progressive devel-
opment. 1t would combine the discoveries of
science with the economics and amelioration
OF rural practice. A supervision of the
lowed EXPERIMENTATION system recently
provided for Is proper function of the de-
partment. and Is now IN operation. This
Pervision is very important, and should be
wisely and vigilantly directed, to the end that
the pecuniary aid of the government in favor
of intelligent agriculture should be so applied
as to result in the general good and to the
benefit OF all our people. thus justifying the
appropriations made from the public treasury.
RAILROAD LAND GRANTS.
The adjustment of the relations between the
government and 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 a majority of the commissioners
appointed to examine the affairs and indebted
ness of these roads, in which they favor an
extension of the time for the payment of such
fu1ehtedpeaa in at loaaf rbara he
corporation appears to be able to comply with
well-guarded and exact terms of such extern
sion, and the reinforcement of their opinion by
gentlemen of undoubted business judgment and
experience, appointed to protect the interests
of the government as directors of said CORPORA
ton, may well lead to the belief that such an
extension would be to the advantage of the
government
The subject should be treated as business
proposition with view to a final realization of
its Indebtedness by the government. rather
than as a question 10 be decided upon prejudice
or by way of punishment for previous wrong
doing.
DISTRICT AFFAIRS.
The report Of the Commissioners of the Dis
trict Of Columbia. with its accompanying docu-
ments, gives in detail the operations Of the
several departments Of the District govern
ment, and furnishes evidence that the financial
affairs Of the District are at present in such
satisfactory condition as to justify the Com
missioners in submitting to the Congress esti-
mates for desirable and needed improvements
The Commissioners recommend certain leg
islation which in their opinion is necessary to
advance the interests of the District.
invite your special attention to their request
for such legislation will enable the Commits
sioners, without delay. to collect, digest, and
properly arrange the laws by which the Dis
trict is governed, and which are now embraced
In several collections, making them available
only with great difficulty and labor. The sug-
gestions they make touching desirable amend
ments to the laws relating to licenses granted
for carrying on the retail traffic in spirituous
liquors. to the observance Of Sunday to the
proper assessment and collection Of taxes to
the speedy punishment Of minor offenders,
and to the management and control of the re-
formatory and charitable institutions sup
ported by Congressional appropriations, are
commended to careful consideration.
i again call attention to the present incon-
venience and the danger to life and property
attending the operation of steam railroads
through and across the public streets and roads
Of the District. The propriety of such legisla-
tion as will properly guard the use of these
railroads and better secure the convenience
and safety Of citizens il manifest.
CLOSING WORDS.
The consciousness that 1 have presented but
IN imperfect statement of the condition of our
country and its wants, occasions no fear that