Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1891-12-15

tlflc corps OF the department. IL OIL :, nfBH
order and is pushing it's Investigations
with method and enthusiasm. The in
spection 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 removal OF the restrictions main
tanned by the European governments
The grain crop OF this year was the
largest in our history, 80 per cent. greater
than that OF last year, and yet the market
that has opened and the larger demand
resulting from short crops in Europe have
sustained ~ ices to such an extent that
the enormous surplus OF meats and bread
stu1fs will he marketed at COED prices,
bringing relief and prosperity to an in
dustry that was much depressed. The
value OF the grain crop of the United
States is estimated by the secretary to be
this wear $59O, 0G0, 900 more than last, OF
meats $3.50, 0U0. eco more and OF all prod
Ucts of the farm S100O0O,0O0 more.
Civil Service.
The rerort of the civil service commits
sion should receive the careful attention
of the opponents, as we'll as the friends of
this lVtornl. The commission invites
nergonal inspection by senators and rep
Sentatives OF its records md methods, and
every fair critic will feel that such an eX-
animation should precede Il Judgment of
..
administration. it is not claimed that
either is perfect. but I believe that the
law is being executed with impartiaity,
and that the system Is lncomparably bet
ter and fairer than that or appointments
upon favor ] recommend thar the appro-
priations for the civil service commission
be made adequate to the increased work OF
the next fiscal year
Protection for Railway Employees.
L. 1o1t he,
attention or congress to the necessity OF
LEGISLATION for the protection Of the lives
OF railroad employees. but nothing has yet
been done. During the Year ending June
30, 1899 800 Drakcmeu we're killed ana
7,S4i manned while engaged in coupling
ears. She total Number CT rallroa;t en-
ployes killed during the year was 2 i5l,
and the number injured 1880 4 law re-
uCiring of every railroad engaged IN inter
state commerce the equipment each year
of given per cent of its freight cars with
autonla attic couplers and air brakes, ana
couplers TO be used, would very soon and
very greatly reduce the present fearful
death rate among railroad employees.
Presidential Electors.
The method of appointment by the
states of electors for president and vice
president has recently attracted renewed
interest BY reason Of q departure BY the
state of Michigan from the methods
which had become uniform in all the
states. TIE recent Michigan leglsiaCIon
provides for choosing what are popularity
known rs the congressional electors for
president by congressional districts and
the two seflasuIltr eleutois by districts
created for that purpose. inns fglsla-
ton WAS, Of course, accompanied by u new
congressional apportionment, and the
two statutes bring the electoral vote I'M
= II. a 81 Ia a.
These geriymanders for CONGRESSIONAL
purposes are ia most eases buttressed by
a Cerrymander OF the legislative districts,
thus MAKING Is impossible for a majority
of The legal VO5ers Of the state to correct
the superintendent and equalize the CON
presSioRal districts. 4 minority rule Is
e+tnhished that only a political conyul-
sion cn1 overthrow. Is it not possible
1iuu .J adjourn that interminable and in
conclusive debate while we take by con-
sent, one step in the direction of reform
by
Eliminating the Gerrymandcr,
which has been denounced by all parties,
as an influence in the election of president
and members of congress. All the states
havef acting freely and separately, ae'
terrified that the choice of electors by
general ticket is the wisest and safest
method and it would seem there could be
10 objection to q constitutional amend
nent making that method permanent.
believe it would be possible to consti-
tute a commission, non-partisan in it's
membership and composed of patriotic,
wise and impartial men to whom: con
sideration of the question of the evils con-
nected with our election system and
methods might be committed with good
prospect of securing unanimity in some
plan for removing or mitigating those
evils. The constitution would permit the
selection of the commission to be vested in
the supreme court if that method would