The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-12-17
penaiOue.

great diligence. Tne total NUMBER OF pension
ers upon the roll on the 3Oth day OF June, 1871,
was 618,16o. There we're allowed during the
fiscal year ending at that time. go 56s cases.
Of this number, l23s1 were allowed under the
law OF June g. 1890 The issuing OF certificates
has been proceeding at the rate OF about 1900
per month, about u per cent. OF these being
cases under the new law. The commissioner
expresses the opinion that he Will re able to
carefully adjudicate and allow 10000 claims
during the present fiscal year. The appropria-
ton for the payment OF pensions Tor the fiscal
year 1890 81 was Siy7. 6SD 193. 50 and the amount
expended Sis. $50 64g ~ leaving an unexpended
surplus OF a. l55. i4464 The commissioner Is
quite confident that there will be no call this
standing the rapidity with which the work is
being pushed. The mistake which has been
made by many in their exaggerated estimates
OF the cost OF pensions Is in not taking account
OF the diminished value OF first payments
under recent legislation. These payments
under the general law have been Tor many
oWed dated a from the ss' te Of lifting the
claim. and most OF these claims had
been pending for years The first payments
under the law OF June 70, 1891 are relatively
small and as the per cent. of these cases in.
creases and that Of the old cases dimnishes.
the annual aggregate OF first payments Is
daie 81 November ID. furnished 1 me with the
statement that during the last four months i13..
lis certificates were issued, Gsa3 under the
general law and IS, sss under the act OF June q.
1879. The average first payment during these
four months was S13l.S5, while the average first
payment upon cases allowed during the year
ending June 30. 1891 was sss9.sa being q re-
duction in the average first payments during
these four months OF s107. Is. The estimate
for pension expenditures for the fiscal
yeas ending June 10. 1854 is ii .956, 600;
which. after careful examination Of the sub
ject, the commissioner is OF the opinion will be
sufficient. Viii e these disbursements to the
disabled soldiers OF the great civil war are
large, they do not realize the exaggerated esti
mates OF those who oppose this bencficent leg
islation. The secretary Of the interior shows
with great fullncss the care that Is taken TO ex-
clude fraudulent Claims and also the gratifying
fact that the persons to whom these pensions
are going arc men who rendered, not slight.
but substantial, war service.
Subsidized Railways.
The report of the commissioner of railroads
shows that the total debt OF the subsidized
railroads to the Unit ID States was on Decem-
Der 81, 1890. $ll2,5l2 6l306. large part Of this
debt Is now approaching maturity with no ad
equate provision for its payment. Some policy
for dealing with this debt, with q view to its
ultimate collection, should be at once adopt
ed 1t is very difficult, well nigh impossible.
for SO large body as the congress to conduct
the necessary negotiations and investigations
Therefore recommend that provision be made
for the appointment OF y commission to agree
upon and report plan for dealing with this
debt.
The Census.
The work OF the census bureau is now far in
advance and the great bulk Of the enormous
statistical exhibit and less encountered by es-
says than it's immediate predecessors. The
methods pursued have been fair, careful and
intelligent. and have secured the approval Of
the statisticans, who have followed them with
q scientific and nonpRrtisan interest. The APP
preparations necessary to the early completion
and early publication Of the authorized vol
umes should be given in time to secure against
delays which increase the cost and at the
same time diminish the value OF the work.
The Territories.
The report Of the secretary exhibits, with in
fpreSfinp fullueSQ The condition of the terri
| tories. They have shared with the states the
| great increase in farm products and are bring
| tending their irrigating canals. This work is
| being done by individuals or local corporations
| and without that system which full prelm
mary survey Of the water supply and OF the ir
future OF the territories OF New Mexico, Ari-
| IONA and Utah in their material growth and in
| the increase, independence and happiness Of
| their People Is very largely dependent upon
wise and timely legislation either by congress
| or their own legislatures, regulating the distri
button OF the water supply furnished by their
streams II this matter Is much longer neg.
| lected private corporations will have unre-
i stricted control Of one OF the elements
Of life and the patentees OF the arid lands will
/ be tenants at will OF the water companies. The
/ improvident granting OF franchises OF enormous
| value without recompense to the state or mu-
nicipality from which they proceed and with
/ is the most noticeable and fragrant evil of mod
i ern leg islation This fault should not be COM
/ mitted in dealing with . subject that will be-
fore many years affect SO vitality thousands OF
| our people.
Suppression OF Polygamy.
The legislation Of congress for the repression
| OF polygamy has, after years OF resistance on
/ the part OF the Mormons, at last brought them
/ to the conclusion that resistance Is unprofit-
/ abe and unavailing. The power OF congress
/ over this subject should not be surrendered uR
/ til we have satisfactory evidence that the peo-
/ pie OF the states TO be created would exercise
1 the exclusive mower Of the state this sub
| ject in the same way.
/ Government for Alaska.
| i recommend that provision be made for the
organization OF simple form Of town govern
matters as are usually In the states under
municipal control.
The Agricultural ID .partment.
| II the establishment OF the department Of
agriculture was regarded by anyone as mere
concession TO the uneniightened demand OF a
1 worthy class OF people. 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
| in detecting and Graduating diseases OF domes
tic anma.s; and more than all. in the close
| and informal contact which it has established
| and maintained with the farmers and stock
raisers OF the whole country. Every request
| for information has had prompt attention anG
| every subject merited nsderation. The sci
entific corps OF the department Is Il high
| order and is pushing its investigations with
| method and enthusiasm.
Meat Inspection.
The inspection by this department OF cattle
| and pork products intended for shipment
| abroad has been the basis OF the success which
has attended our efforts to secure the remova
OF the restrictions maintained by the European
governments. For ten years protests and pc
titions upon this subject from the packers and
| stock -ralsers Of the United States have beer
directed against these restrictions. which sc
profits Of the farm. 1t is q source Of genera
congratulation that success has at last beer
attained, for the effect OF an enlarged
felt. not only by the farmer. but in our pub
lie finances and in every branch OF trade.
Our Great Grain Crop.
The grain crop OF this year was the !arges
| In our history. 3D. per cent. greater than that o
been opened and the large demand resulting
from short crops in Europe have sustained
prices to such an extent that the enormou:
surplus OF meats and breadstufis will be mar
| keted At good prices, bringing relief and pros
perity TO an industry that was much de
pressed. The value cf the grain crop OF thu
be this year $5oO,OD0.Ooo more than last: o
meats $50 0O0O more, and Of all products o
| the farm &7OOOOUoO more. 1t Is not inappro
r-iata, think, here to suggest that our salts
faction in the contemplation Of this marvellous
addition to the national wealth is uncoude.
by any suspicion Of the currency by which il il
measured and In which the farmer Is paid TO
the product OF his fields
The civil y rvice.
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
Of senators and representatives OF its record
and methods and every fair critic will fee
that such an examination should precede juds
ment OF condemnation either OF the system 0
its administration 1t is not claimed tina
either Is perfect, but | believe tina
the law has been executed with impair
TALLY, and that the system is incomparabl
better and fairer than that OF appointment
upon favor. ! have during the year extende,
the classified service to include superintend
ents teachers mat.ons and physicians in tn
I.ads 10 hrla 4 4 4