The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-12-10

would exercise tho exclusive power OF
the state oyGr this subject In tho same
way. The question is not whether these
people now obey tho laws OF Congress
against polygNmy, bnt rather would
they make, enforce aud maintain suell
laws themselves II absolutely free 10
regulate the subject. We cannot afford
TO experiment with this subject, Tor
when n state Is once constituted the net
is final and any mistake irrotrievable.
No compact IN enabling act could in
my opinion DO binding or effective.
ALASKA.
l recommend that provision DO made
for tho organization Of Il simple form OF
town government in Alaska, with pow.
or to regulate such matters rs are usu.
ally in the state municipal control.
These local civil organizations will give
better protection in some matters than
tho present skeleton territorial organi-
zation. Proper restrictions rs to the
power TO levy taxes aud create debts
should be imposed.
DEPARTMENT or AGRICULTURE.
II tho establishment OF the depart.
ment oil agriculture was regarded by
anyone rs u mere concession to tho un-
enlightened demand OF Il worthy class
Of people, that impression has been
most elleCtually removed by the great
results alrcgdy attained. Its homo in.
ilucnco has been very great in dissent.
mating agricultural md horticultural
information: in stimulating and direct
ing n further divorsiiication of crops;
in detecting and cradicating diseases OF
domestic animals; and, more than all,
in the close and informal contact
which IL has established and maintains
with the farmers and stock raisers Of
tho whole country. Every request for
information h0s had prompt attention
and every suggestion mcritcd consider
ation. The scientific corps OF tho de-
partmcnt Is OF Il high order and Is push
ing its investigations with method and
enthusiasm. Tho inspection by this
department OF cattle and pork products
intended for shipment abroad has been
the basis OF series which has attended
our efforts to secure the removal OF the
restrictionsmaintaincd blythe European
governments.
For ten years protests and petitions
upon this subject from tho packers and
st0ck-raiscrs Of the United States have
been directed against tho restrictions
which SO seriously limited our markets
and curtailed the profits OF the fam.
MARKET FOR HOME PRODUCTS.
1t is II source Of general congratulate
ton that success has Mt least been at
tended, ior tho effects OF nh enlarged
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 pro-
ducts, resulting from the removal If
the restrictions upon our meats and
from tho reciprocity trade arrangements
to which | have referred, should have
come ut 4 time when the agricultural
surplus is SO large; without tho help
thus derived, lower prices would have
prevailed. Tho secretary OF agriculture
estimates that the restrictions upon tho
importation OF Il pork products into
Europe lost us 4 market Tor $50, 900, 900
worth OF these products annually. The
grain crop Of this year was the largest
IN u history, 30 per cent. greater than
that OF last year, and ye. the new
markets that have been opened and the
larger demand resulting from short
crops i'll Europe have sustained prices
to such an extent that the enormous
EnrnIvs nf ,npnts nn1 hr,n.1.t,O n, LII
be marketed at good prices, bringing
relief and prosperity 10 an industry that
was much depressed.
The value OF the grain crop Of the
United States is estimated by the secrc-
tary to be this year, five hundred
million dollars more than last, OF
meats, IL hundred and fifty millions
more, aud OF I'LL products OF the farm,
seven hundred millions more. 1t is
not inappropriate, | think, here 10
suggest that our satisfaction in tho
contemplation Of this marvellous add.
ton to the national wealth is unrloudcd
by any suspicion OF the currency by
which it is measured and in which the
farmer is paid Tor the product OF his
fields.
CIVIL SERVICE. i
The report OF the civil service com.
mission should receive the careful ut.
tcntion OF the opponents, rs well rs the
friends, OF this reform. Tho commits
sion invites 4 personal inspection by
senators and representatives OF its re-
cords and methods: and every fair critic
will ftel that such an examination
should proceed a Judgment OF condem-
nation, either OF the system or its ad-
ministration. 1t is not claimed that
either is perfect, but l believe the law
is being executed with impartiality and
that the system is incomparably better
and iairer than that OF appointments
upon. favor. .
have during the year extended the
classified service to include superin-
tcndents, teachers, mutrons and physi-
clans in the Indian service. This
branch oil the service is largely related
to educational and ph~ilanthropic work,
and will obviously be better Tor the
change. Tho heads OF the various cx-
ecutive departments have been directed
to establish ut once an efficiency record
rs tho basis OF a comparative rating OF
the clerks within the classified service
with 4 Wow to placing promotion there
in upon the basis OF merit. | an conf
dent that such 4 record, fairly kept and
open to the inspection OF those inter-
csted, will powerfully stimulate tho
work OF tho departments, and will be
accepted by all as placing the trouble
some matter OF promotion upon Il good
basis.
l recommend that the appropriations
for the civil service commissionb be made
adequate TO the increased work OF the
next fiscal year.
PROTECTION OE RAILWAY p