The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-12-16

CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.
The commissioner is quite confident that
there will be call this year for deficiency
with which the work is being pushed The mis-
take which has been made by many in their ex-
aggerated estimates of the cost of pensions is
in not taking account of the diminished value
of first payments under the recent legislation.
These payments, under the general law have
been for many years very large, as the pensions
when allowed dated from the time Of filing the
claim, and most of these claims had been pend
ing for years. The hrst payments under the
law of June 1890, are relatively small, and, as
the per cent. of the cases increase and that of
the old cases diminishes, the annual aggregate
of firss payments is largely reduced.
During the last four months 1877 certif-
Gates were issued. The average first payment
the average first payment upon each allowed
during the year ending June 30, 1891, was $780,
49, being a reduction in the average first pay
ments during these four months of S107. .48.
The estimate for pension expenditures for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1893, is S144 $780,
600, which after careful examination of the
be sufficient While these disbursements to
the disabled soldiers of the civil are
mates of those who oppose this benefoent
legislation. The secretary of the interior shows
clude fraudulent claims and also the gratifying
fact that the persons to whom these pensions
are going are men who rendered, not slight, but
substantial war service.
THE CENSUS BUREAU.
The work of the census bureau is now far in
advance and the bulk OF the enormous labor in
statistical exhibit and less encountered by
essays than It's immediate predecessors. The
Intelligent, and have occurred the approval of
statisticians who have followed them with a
scientific and non-partfsan interest The ap-
preparations necessary to the early completion
and publication of the authorized |'lumeS
should be given in time to secure iiE st de-
laws which increase the cost and at t..e same
time diminishes the value of the work.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
II the establishment OF the department OF ag-
Yiculture was regarded by anyone as mere
TortSV class as of peonIes that impression has
been most effectually removed by the great re-
suits already attained Its home influence has
been very great in disseminating agricultural
and horticultural information: in stimulating
and directing further diversifcation OF crops;
mestic animals; and, more than all, In the close
and informal contact which it has established
and maintains with the farmers and stock rails
ers OF the whole country. every requess lor IN
formation has had prompt attention and every
suggestion merited consideration.
The inspection by this department of cattle
and pork products intended for shipment
abroad has been the basis of the successes
which have attended our efforts to secure the re-
moval Of the restrictions maintained by Euro
pean governments. For ten years protests ana
petitions upon this subject from the packers
and stock raisers Of the United States have
been directed against these restrictions which
SO seriously limited our markets and curtailed
the profits of the farm 1t is source of gen.
eral congratulation that success has at last
The grain crop of this year was the largest in
our history, 80 per cent greater than that OF
last year, and yet the new markets that nave
been opened and the larger demand resulting
| from short crops in Europe have sustained
prices to such an extent that the enormous
| surplus of meats and breadstufs will be mar
keted at good prices bringing relief and pros
perity to an industry that was much depressed.
The value of the grain crop of the United states
is estimated by the secretary to be this yeaTT
$500 000, 900 more than last; OF meat, S1500O0OQ0
more, and of all products of the farm s7oo,0OO,-
| 900 more
| za.rr-- THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The report Of the civil service commission
should receive the careful attention OF the op-
ponents, as well as the friends OF this reform
| The commission invites a personal inspection
| by senators and representatives of Its records
and methods, and every fair critic Will feel that
| such an examination should precede iudg-
| ment Of condemnation, either of the system OF
i its administration. It is not aa1med that
either is perfect but believe that the law
| is being executed with impartiality and that
the system is inoonparably better and fa1rer
during % 9Th the year extended the classified service
/ to include superintendents, teachers, matronS
| and physicians in the Indian service.
| PROTECTION FOR RAILWAY Employees.
| Ihave twice before urgently called the atten-
| tion of congress to the necessity Of legislation
| for the protection OF the lives of railroad en-
The year ended june SO, 1890 s69 brakemen were
| killed and 7,841 MANNED while engaged in coup
| ling cars. The total number of railroad en-
number injured 22, $780, This is a cruel and
| largely needless sacrifice. The governments
is spending nearly SlO0ooGo annually to save save
steam vessel is rigidly inspected and
| required to adopt the most approved safety
excuse the lack OF interest and effort in behalf
| OF his army of brave young men who in our
the are OF aed
| GUS appliances A law requiring of every rail-
road the equipment OF its freight cars, with au-
| and greatly reduce the recent fearful death
rate among railroad employees
The method of appointment by the states of
| electors of president and vice president has re.
GENTLY attracted renewed interest by reason Of
/ departure by the state OF Michigan from the
states. Prior to 1889 various methods had been
| used by the different states and even by the
same state. After full test of other methods,
| without important division or dissent in any
| state and without any purpose OF lparty advan-
tage we must believe, but solely upon the con-
| practice of all the states was brought into har-
mony. That this concurrence should now be
broken Is think an unfortunate and even a
threatening episode and one that may well sug-
gest whether the states that still give their aI-
| proval TO the old and prevailing method ought
not to secure, by constitutional amendment
| q practice which has had the approval of all
The recent Michigan legislation provides for
choosing the congressional electors @ for presi.
senatorial electors by districts created for that
purpose. This legislation was, OF course, ac-
| nent and the statutes bring the electoral vote
OF the state under the influence OF the gerry
mandern ne.ao, These gerrymanders for con-
Duttressed by gerrymander of the legis-
lative districts thus it making impossible for q
majority of the legislature of the state to
correct apportionment and equaltze the con-
gresSional districts. A minority rule is estab-
lished that only political convulsion can over
throw. have recently been advised that in
one county OF certain state three districts for
the election of members of the legislature are
constituted as follows: One has s. 900 popular
county detached, non-contiguous sections have
been united to make legislative district.
plication to the choice OF senators and repre-
sentat1ves In congress, and now an evil start
them to the choice by the states of electors Of
president and VICE president. II this is accom-
pl1shed we shall then have the three great de-
the 'gerrymander''-the legislative and execu-
tive directly and the judiciary Indirectly
through the power of appointment
An election implies body of electors having
prescribed qualifications, each one OF aom has
an equal value and influence in determsnang the
st o s+.t ~. ne coastsutlon provlolng
manner as the legislature may thereof direct q
number of electors" unrestricted power was
not given to the legislature in the selection of
the methods to be used. "a republican form of
government is guaranteed by the constitution
to each state and power given by the same in
scribe methods for the choice by the state, of
electors must be exercised under that Inlita-
ton. The essential features of such govern
ment are the right of the people to choose their
own officers and the nearest practicable equah-
ty of value in the suffrages given in determining
that choice
It will not be claimed that the power given
to the legislature would support a law provid-
ing that the persons receiving the smallest
vote should be the electors, or law that all
the electors should be chosen by the voters of
single congressional district. The state Ia to
choose. and under the pretense of regulating
right of choice elsewhere nor adopt
methods not conformable to republican
institutions. 1t is not my purpose here
to discus the question whether choice by
the legislature or by the voters of equal single
districts IL choice by the state, but only to
recommend such regulation of this matter by
constitutional amendment as will secure uni
formity and prevent that disgraceful partisan
jugglery to which such a liberty of choice If it
exists, offers temptation. Nothing Just now
is more important than to provide every guar