Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-10


sites for reservoirs, whether to the States
and Territories or to individuals or corpora
tlons, only upon conditions that will insure
TO the settlers their proper water supply
upon equal and reasonable terms In the
territories this whole subject is under the
1ull control of Congress- and in the States IL
is practically SO as long as the Government
holos the title to the reservoir sites ana
wafer sources and can grant them upon
Snch Snch conditions as it chooses to impose:
Inc lmprovident granting of franchises OF
enormous value, without recompense TO the
state or municipality from which they pro
cee1 ana without proper protectlon OF tns
puonc interests, is the most not1ceapie @ anu
nagrant evil of modern legislation: rms
1auit should not be committed in deallng
With subject that will before many years
aIect thousands of our people.
The legislation of Congress for the repres-
sion OF polygamy has after years OF reslsl.
anse on the part of the Mormons at las1
Drought them TO the conclusion tnat reSIst-
ance Is Improbable and unavalllng. Inc
power of Congress over this subject should
not be surrendered until we have satlsIac-
tory evidence that the people OF the state 10
ne created would exercise the eAciuslNe ~ .N,e
power Of the State over this subject IN the
same way. The question is not wnetner
these people now obey the laws OF congress
against polyGamy but rather wouid they
make, enforce and mainta such laws tneIn-
selves if absolutely free to regulate the SUD
Ject? We cannot afford to experiment with
this subject, for when a State is once consul
tuted The act is final and any mistake IRE
tricvable. No compact in the enabling act
could, In my opinion, be binding or eHecViVeo
Proposed Government for Alaska.
recommend that provision be made for
the organization of simple form OF town
government in Alaska with power to regu-
late such matters as are usually in the states
under municipal control These local civil
organizations will give better protection in
some matters than the present skeleton
territorial organization. Proper restrlc-
tions as to the power to levy taxes and to
create debt should be imposed.
Ii the establishment of the Department OF
Agriculture was regarded by anyone as
mere concession to the unenlightened de-
mand of n worthy class of people. that i'm
preston has been most effectually removed
by the great results already attained. Its
seminating agricultural and horticultural
information: in stimulating and directing
further diversification of crops: in detecting
and eradcating diseases of domestic
animals: and, more than all, in the close and
informal contac ct which it has established and
maintains with the farmers and stock raiSers
or the whole country. Every request Tor
information has had prompt attention and
every suggestion merited consideration.
The scientific corps of the department is of
a high order and is pushing its investiga-
tions with method and enthusiasm The in
spection by this department of cattle aud
pork products intended for shipment abroad
had been the basis of the success which has
attended our efforts to secure the removal
OF the restrictions maintained by the Euro
pean Governments.
Benefits of Good Foreign Market.
For ten years protests and petitions upon
this subject from the packers and stock
raisers of the United States have been di-
rected against these restrictions, which so
seriously limited our markets and curtailed
the profits of the farm. 1t is a source of
general congra tulation that success has at
last been attained, for the effects of an en-
larged foreign market for these meats will
be felt, not only by the farmer, but in our
public finances, and in every branch OF
trade. 1t is particularly fortunate that the
increased demand for food products. result
ing from the removal of the restrictions
upon our meats and from the reciprocal
trade arrangements to which 1 have re-
ferred, should have come at time
when the agricultural surplus is so large.
Without the help thus derived, lower prices
would have prevailed. The Secretary of
Agriculture estimates that the restrictions
upon the importation OF our pork products
into Europe lost us Il market for $40 00O, 600
worth of these products annually.
The grain crop this year was the largest in
our history. 80 per cent greater than that of
last year, and yet the new markets that have
been opened and the larger demand result
ing from short crops in Europe have sus
tanned prices to such an extent that the
enormous surplus of meats and breadstuffs
will be marketed at good prices, bringing
relief and prosperity to an industry that was |
much depressed.
Wonderful Increase of Crop Values.
The value of the grain crop of the United |
States is estimated by the Secretary to be |
his year $500 0aC,00O more than last; of meats,
$50, ,OO0 600 more, and of all products of the |
arm, 800 900, COO more 1t is not inappropri-
,te, think, here to suggest that our salts |
action in the contemplation of this marvel |
lus addition TO the national wealth is I'M
clouded by any suspicion of the currency by
which it is measured and in which the
armer is paid for the product of his fields
The report OF the Civil Service Commits
ion should receive the careful attention of
he opponents, as well as the friends OF this
eform. The commission invites personal
by Senators and Representatives
II its records and methods, and every fair
ritic viii, feel that such an examination
hould precedea a Judgment OF ofcondemnation,
ither of the system or its administration.
( is not claimed that either is perfect, but
believe that the law is being executed
With impartiality and that the system is in
ompara bly, better and fairer than that of
ppointments upon favor. l have during |
he year extended the classified service to
include superintendents, teachers, matrons
nd physicians in the Indian service. This |
ranch of the service is largely related to |
ducationa! and philanthropic work and
7ill obviously be the better for the change. |
The heads of the several executive depart |
nee an efficiency record as the basis of |
rating of the clerks within the
lassifled service, with a view to placing
therein upon the basis of merit. |
am confident that some such a record, |
lirly kept and open to the inspection of
hose concerned. will powerfully stimulate
he work of the departments and will be ac-
epted by all as placing the troublesome
natter of promotions upon a Just basis.
l recommend that the appropriations for
he Civil Service Commission be made |
dequate to the increased work of the next
seal year.
lore Care for Railroad Employees Needed.
have twice before urgently called the at
ention of Congress to the necessity of Iegis-
ltion for the protection of the lives of rail-
BAD employees, but nothing has yet been
one. During the year ending June so, 1890
. brakemen were killed and 7,S4l manned
lille engaged in coupling cars The total
umber of railroad employees killed during
he year was . 45l, and the number injured
$50. This is cruel and largely needless {
lcrifice. The Government is spending |
early 600 annually to save the lives {
fshipwrecked seamen every steam vessel is ,
2idly inspected and T. equired to adopt the
lost approved safety appliances. All this is :
pod; but how can We excuse the lack of in