Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1889-12-06

ships and arduous duties Of our most
bloody campaigns are now disabled from
diseases which had real, though not
traceab1e, origin in the service. The
pension roll is already large, but this
should not deter the government from
giving such veterans full justice. There
are Irregularities in the present law
which should be remedied, but not in
the line of reduction.
SIGNAL SERVICE AND WORLDS FAIR.
The signal service should be taken
from the war department and made
bureau in the agricultural department.
Such legislation as is necessary is recon-
mended for the opening of worlds
fair in some one Of our cities to COM
memorate the 400th anniversary of Co
lumbus' landing.
LAND LAWS.
The policy which has been in force in
land department has worked big damage
to settlers. This has been greatly
changed by this administration. The
land laws should be interpreted as IA
vorably as possible for the settlers, but
safeguards should be erected to prevent
the acquiring Of large tracts Of timber or
other lands by individuals or companies
through frauds. When discovered such
frauds should be punished to the full ex-
tent of the law.
CIVIL SERVICE
The civil service commission force is
inadequate and should be enlarged.
Heretofore the book of eligibles in the
various departments has been closed to
the public. This has caused charges of
fraud. The books have been opened to
the public The purpose of the civil ser
vice law was to exclude political consid-
erations in connection with appoint
ments. Some recent congressional
Investigations have shaken public faith
in its efficacy. Reform of civil service
will make no progress till the law and it's
enforcement are well established If
some of its provisions have been fraudu-
lently evaded our resentment should not
suggest a repeal Of the law, but its re-
form.
EDUCATION.
Grants for education have heretofore
been in lands. The time has come when
this resource is nearly exhausted. Ap-
preparations in cash are for the future
recommended.
TIE NEGRO PROBLEM.
The colored people did not intrude
themselves upon us. They were brought
here and held for years in chains. Hap
PLY for both races, they are now free
Since emancipation they have made
great progress in education and acQuisi-
sition of property. They have gained
honor and respect on the battlefield and
in the shop and farm. But, notwith-
standing this, in parts of the country
where the colored population is large,
they are yet deprived Of their rights, po-
litical and civil. This wrong effects not
only their own community but every
part Of the nation. It is a shame
on our civilization that this is so,
and this generation should courageously
face these grave questions and work
their solution. The power of congress
to take the whole direction and control
of congressional elections is clearly de-
fined. The present law for partial
supervision of such elections should be
strengthened and extended by taking all
the processes of such elections under
federal control.
MERCHANT MARINE.
Subsidies should be granted for the es-
tablishment of lines Of commercial
steamers, notably to South and Central
America, Mexico, China, Japan and
Australia. Provisions could also well be
made for naval reserve Of such vessels
in our merchant marine as were fitted
for war use.
These and such other measures as the
peace and honor of our country suggest
are recommended to the serious consid-
Grafton Of this congress.