The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-07-18
A cRouspLEss CHARGE.

The Alliance Farmer and Rural MESSENGER
ruhlished in Petersburg and edited by Col
onel Randolph Harrison, who ia so wen andso
favorably known in the State, does The IIMEs
serious injustice in charging us with opposi-
ton 70 the conversion of the Bureau OF Agri-
culture into the Department OF Agriculture
under the supervision Of an officer VINO mas u
seat in the Cabinet.
We are very much at loss TO discover on
what ground our contemporary bases itS an
sertion that we have denied the right OK
the farmers 30 be represented in the COUNCILS
of the Government" In protesting against
such denial. which as our columns Will snow
Is entirely unfounded. the Alliance Farmer and
Rural Messenger is in the position OF man
who beats the air under the impression that
be is contending with a real Antagonist orwho
deliberately sets up straw man ana as delio-
erately knocks him down.
So far from entertaining any objection to
the creation Of the present Department OF
Agriculture. we have always considered 1t to
be just and becoming recognition Of the most
important interest in the United States. 1t IS
only surprising that the recognition IN TINS
conspicuous form was not granted at an earlier
day. We were not finding any FAINT with the
Department as a department but simply WIN
the manner in which it is conducted under
the present superintendent.
We refuse to believe that the perceptions OF
cur Petersburg contemporary are so contracted
that il identifies the Department-the pract-
cal objects for which it was established the
undoubted good which it can accomplish
with all the vagares of Jerry Rusk. View
ridiculing the inflated schemes and the pre-
tentous aims of that designing republican
politician and not the real purposes winch
led to the erection of the new Department.
and which under the present Administration
are being largely subordinated, while the
Secretary pursues such monstrous aosurdlties
as the universal production of rain by the
explosion of balloons in mid air.
Jerry Rusk has under serious consideration
other notions equally repugnant to sober rea-
son. The impression which is made by tue
Secretary's course, which IS also open TO crltl-
csm in other important respects. IS that his
preventing department which should confer
inestimable benefits upon the pursuit which
il represents. to purposes wholly impractlca-
BILE, with the very logical result of lowering
the dignity of the Department and curtallng
its capacity for usefulness. 1t was this per-
version which we were condemning and not
the Department.
The farmers are specially interested in the
standards of the Department being firmly sus-
tanned, more particularly in the beginning
when it is so necessary to establish the most
substantial and practical precedentsby care
full adherence TO sound business methods.
The present incumbent of the Agricultural
Secretaryship is seeking every opportunity to
ingratate himself with the farming classes
with view TO his own promotion. but he IS
doing so in a way that should only expose him
10 the distrust of those he wishes TO propitiate.
Uncle Jerry is demagogue-an amusing
demagogue it Is true, but not the less dem
agogue for that reason. The sooner he Is dis
placed and substitute with extensive prac-
teal knowledge and a sober judgment, un-
BIASED by political aspirations, is advanced
to his position the better it will be for the
interests of the American farmer and for the
dignity of the General Government