The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-12-07
be subjected TO peril ri life aud limb as great
as that OF soldier In time OF war.


as that OF soldier In time of war.
THE NEW EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT..
The creation OF an Executive Department, 10
be known as the Department OF Agriculture
by the act OF February last, was wise and
timely response TO u request which had long
been respectfully urged by the farmers OF the
country, but much remains to 0e done TO per-
feet the organization OF the department -
that 1t fairly realizes the expectations which
its creation excited. In this connection atten'
tion Is called TO suggestions contained In the
report OF the Secretary
ice be separated from the War Department and
established as bureau In the Department OF
Agriculture. This, he says, will involve an
entire reorganization both Of the Weather Blu
reau and the Signal Service, making OF the first
purely civil organization while the other Will
be purely military
THE WORLDS FAIR.
The proposition to observe the four hundredth
anniversary Of the discovery OF America by the
opening OF Worlds Fair or exposition in some
one OF our great cities will be presented for the
consideration OF Congress- The value and In
terest OF such an exposition may well claim the
promotion OF the general Government
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
considerable portion OF the message Is de-
voted to a consideration OF the civil-seryice
question, and after detailing the facts regarding
the appointment of the present commission the
President says that the reform OF the civil
service will make no safe or satisfactory adj
vance until the present law and ITS equal au-
ministration are well established In the con-
fidence of the people. The message then con.
tinues as follows;
The duty of appointment Is devolved by the
constitution or by the law. and the appointing
officers are properly held TO high responsible
ity in its exercise. The growth OF the country
and the consequent increase OF the clVll list
have magniied this function OF the Executive
disproportonately 1t can not be denied however,
that the labor connected with this necessary
work Is increased, often to the point OF actual
distress, by the sudden and excessive demands
hat do nm
tion for removals and appointments. But on
the other hand, ii Is not true that incumbency
is u conclusive argument for continuance
In office. lnpartiality, moderation, fidelity
to public duty and a good attainment in the
discharge of II must be added before the argu'
ment is complete. When those holding admin.
istrative offices so conduct themselves as 10
convince just political opponents that no party
consideration or bias affects in any way the dis
charge OF their public duties We can more easily
stay the demand for removals.
am satisfied that both In and out OF the
classified service great benefit would accrue
from the adoption of some system by which the
officer would receive the distinction and beneht
that IN all private employment comes from ex-
ceptional faithfulness and efficiency in the per-
formance Of duty.
AID TO EDUCATION.
National aid to education has heretofore taken
the form of land grants. In that form the
power of Congress to promote the education OF
the people is not questioned. do not think IL
can be successfully questioned when the form Is
changed to that OF direct grant OF money
from the public Treasury. Such aid should be,
as it always has been suggested by some ex
ceptional conditions.
The sudden emancipation Of the slaves, the
bestowal OF the suffrage which soon followed
and the impairment OF the ability OF the states
where these new citizens we're chiefly found 10
be adequately provided with educational facili.
ties presented not only an exceptional but anun
exampled condition. That the situation has
been much ameiorated there is no
doubt. The ability and interest OF the
States have happily increased, but great
work remains TO lie done, and think the gen
eral Government should lend its aid. As the
suggestion of u National grant in aid OF educa.
tion grows chiefly out of conditions and needs OF
the emancipated slave and his descendants the
relief should as faras possible, while necessarily
proceedi ng upon soue general lines be applied
to the need that suggested II. 1t is essential II
much good is to be accomplished that the sym
patty and active interest of the people or the
State should be enlisted ana that the methods
adopted should be such as to stimulate and not
to supplant local taxation for school purposes.
AS one Congress can not bind u succeeding
one in such a case and rs the efiort must In
some degree be experimental i recommend
that any appropriation made FOR TINS purpose
be so limited in annual amount and as to the
time over which " is to extend as Will on the
one hand give the local school authorities OPP
portunity to make the best use of the first
wears allowance, and on the other deliver them
from the temptation to unduly postpone the as
sumption of the whole burden themselves.
RAGE BIrS TN oobiHs
Referring to the race troubles in the South
and the fact that in many instances coored
people have been interfered with when attempt
ing to vote, the President begins by paying q
high tribute to the industry and capabilty OF
the colored people. He continues:
In many parts OF our country where the col
ored population is large the people OF that race
are by various devices deprived OF any effective
exercise of their political rights and of many Of
their civil rights. The wrong does not eXpend
itself upon those whose votes are suppressed.
Every constituency in the Union is wronged.
1t has been the hope of every patriot that
sense of Justice ana of respect for the law would
work gradual cure Of the fragrant evils. Sure
ly no one supposes that the present can be &C,
cepted as u permanent condition. II IL Is said
that these communications must work
cut this problem for themselves we
have a right to ask whether they
are at work upon it. Do they suggest
any solutiony When ndunder what conditions
is the black man to have "a free ballotr When
is he, in fact to have those full civil rights
which have so long been his in law When Is
that equality of influence which our form OF
Government has intended to secure to the cleo.
tors to be restored! This generation shall
courageously face these grave questions,
and not leave them as IA heritage of woe to the
next. The consultation should proceed with
candor. calmness and great patience; upon the
lines of justice and humanity, not Of prejudice
and cruelty. No question in our country can be
at rest except upon the firm basis of justice ana
OF the law.
earnestly invoke the attention OF Congress
to the consideration OF such measures within
its welldetined constitutional powers will
secure to all our people n free exercise of the
right OF suffrage and every other civil right
under our constitution and laws
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
There is nothing more justly humilfating to
the National pride and nothing more hurtful to
the National prosperity that the inferiority OF
our merchant marine as compared with those
OF other nations where general resources,
wealth and sea.coast lines do not suggest any
for thni
1t is not possible in this communication TO dis
cuss the causes ofthe decay OF our shipping In
terests or the different methods by which " Is
proposed to restore them The great s.os n
ship lines sailing under the flags % En-
gland, France Germany, Spain ana Italy
and engaged in foreign commerce were
promoted and have since been and
now are literally aided by grants Of public mon.
ey In one form or another American lines OF
steamships have been abandoned by us To an
unequal contest with the aided lines OF other
nations until they have been withdrawn or, In
the few cases where they are still maintained,
are subject to serious disadvantages.
/ recommend that such appropriations be
made for ocean mail service in American steam
ships between our ports and those OF Central
and South America, China, Japan, and the inn
pOrtant islands in both OF the great
oceans, as will be literally remunera.
tive for the services rendered and
as will encourage the establishment
and in some fair degree equaliZe the chances
OF American steamship lines = the competi-
lions which they must meet. We should also
make provision for naval reserve, to consist
OF such merchant ships of American eca"
struction and of specified tonnage and speed
- N.....