Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-06-19
THE SEED QUESTION.
Congressman KiIgore Wants the Distribution
Of Seeds Placed in the Hands Of
the County officials.
!orrespondence Of the Gazette.

Correspondence of the Gazette.
WASHINGTON, June 13.-Mr. Kilgore
made speech IN the house yesterday on
the question of having the distribution of
seeds placed in the hands of the county
officials of each county, such officials to
be designated by the representatives and
delegates in congress. In support OF his
plan Mr.. KilgoFe said.
Mr.. Cbairman-The bill making appropriation
for the agricultural department provides for the
expenditure of 500, 600 in purchasing seeds.
bulbs plants, trees. vines, cuttings, etc., which
are to be distributed by members of congress to
their constituents. The purpose OF the amend
ment which have just offered is TO take the
distribution of these articles out OF the hands OF
members of congress. 1t provides that they
shall be distributed by the agricultural depart
ment through county officials and the agrl-
cultural stations in the country.
/ can understand when congress first began
the purchase of seed for distribution that the
object in vi ew was to afford an opportunity TO
experiment with the different kinds of seed In
different sections of the country that the variety
might be improved anu the agricultural interest
greatly dromoted. That was very proper
object, and have no objection TO continuing
the appropriation on that line and for the pur-
poses named. But the system is liable to
abuses-people are likely 10 be encouraged
to look to the government for their garden seed.
There is considerable tendency that way now,
and it would be most unfortunate condition
state government for such things instead of be-
ing self-reliant and self-dependent. The best
possible way to check such tendency IS to take
the whole business out of politics and put II
where it belongs, in the agricultural depart
ment.
theless we'll known fact. well known to tue
entire country that members of congress do
use the garden seed furnished to them by the
government for electioneering purposes: They
u Sc them to place people under obligations to
to Them Woes Cannot be bought that way.
No one exre rs such thing; but the system is
a most potent factor IN the race lot congress:
is no reflection upon member OF congress nor
the people to say as much.
The government furnishes seed for distribu-
ton and 1t is human nature for members to dis
tribute them to the best possible advantage,
ILaughterl The member does what he is au
thorized to do under the existing law, and the
Constituent appreciates the kindness of his
member of congress; he is impressed with his
thoughtfulness and fidelity, and 1t IS perfectly
natural that these things should have their in
fuence upon the people. And that is why OPP
pose the distribution of seed by congress.
The government ought not to buy and deliver
to me card en- 9 ID nor any h ng else tha may
employ o secure my return to congress. Be-
sides / do not believe that member Of con
gross should become mere clerk under the
AGRICULTURAL department. He ought TO have
something else to do besides acting as seed dis
rributor, and if he attends to his duties he will
have plenty 10 do here in this house and in the
departments 10 keep him busy. member
ought to RELY on the record he makes In the
house and in the comm ittee to secure the good
will of his c. Is ituen.s a d his return to con-
gress and not on his ability as clerk or agent
of the agricultural department.
The seed furnished by the department to each
member enables him to supply about one voter
in every fifteen with package of three papers
each and the other fourteen voters cannot I'M
derstand why they do not get seed too. To sup
ply this demand many members of congress buy
seed after exhausting the quota allowed by the
government and hire clerks to send them out.
All of us are not able to dc that, but 1t may be
the misfortune of my constituents to be repre-
chase seed for distribution, though have fire.
ouently been compelled to do so to meet the re-
Quirements of the public.
All the purposes of the law can be carried out
by the amendment propose.
Mr.. Dockery-And let the county ofhclals DO
| the electioneering.
MT. Kilgore-Let the county officials dc
| the electioneering if they can. But that is not
| the question. do not wish to depend on the
| plumber. so to speak, and the patronage fur
| nished me by the government, for my re-elec-
| ton to congress.
Mr. Peel Does not the gentleman from Texas
| distribute his part of the seed?
Mr.. Kilgore-1 do distribute all the govern
ment allows but there is not half enough to &c
round. But 1 do not believe 1t is the duty of the
| government to furnish me with patronage to be
| used in controlling my nomination and election.
| Mr.. Blount-Does not the gentleman from
| Texas say that members of congress are in the
| habit of buying seed in order to supply HEN
! constituents?
! Mr. Kilgore-I do notsay it is habit gener
| ally for members to do so, but sometimes
members are compelled to do so in order
to respond to the demands upon them.
Mr.. Blount-I do not know anything about
| that myself.
some occasi onally but am not able
TO do so and never do it when car