Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-12-25

the profits OF the farm. tt is source of gan.
eral congr atulation that ST. ccess has At last
bean attained, for the effects OF an enlarged
foreign market for thsSs meats will be felt
not only by the farmer. but in our pubic
finances aud in every branch OF trade Il i
particularly fortunate that the increased
demand for fool products. resulting from
the removal OF the restrictions upon our
means and from the reciprocal trade ar
rangementS 10 which | have referred, should
have come al time when the agricultural
surplus Is 50 large. Without the help thus
derived lower prices would have prevailed.
The Secretary of Agriculture estimates that
the restrictions upon the Importation OF our
pork products into Europe lost us market
for $50. 0o0 900 worth OF these products an
nually.
The grain crop of this year was the largest
in our history, 50 per cent. greater than tnat
OF last year, and Yet the new markets that
have b9en opene ard the larger demand re-
sulting from short crops in Europe have sus-
talned prices TO such extent that the
enormous surplus of rieats and breadStuffs
will be marketed at good prices, bringing
relief and prosperity 60 an industry that was
mucn depressed. The value of the grain crop
OF the United States Is estimated by the Sec
rotary to be this year 800, 900, 00J more than
last; of meats. one hundred and fifty mil
lions more, and of all products OF the far n.
seven hun tred millions more. 1t Is not in
appropriate, | think, here 10 suggest that
our satisfaction in the cOnte nplatiOl OF this
marvellous addition to the national wealth
Is unclOuded by any suspicion of the cur
rency by which 1t is measured and i'll which
the farmer is paid for the pro luct of his
fields.
PROJECTING RAILROAD EMPLOYEES.
[ have twice before urgently called the at
tentiOn of Congress to the necessity of leyis-
lation for the protection of the lives of rail
road employees, but nothing ehaS vet been
done. During the year ending June 30 1890
1863 brakemen were killed ana 7341 manned
while engaged in coupling cars The total
number of railroad employees killed during
the year was 2451, AMI the number injured
%, 800. This is cruel and largely a needless
sacrifice. The Government is spending nearly
one million dollars annually to save tue lives
of shipwrecked seamen; every steam vessel
is rigidly inspected and required to adopt the
most approved safety appliances. Al. this
is good, but how shall we excuse the lack OF
interest and effort in behalf Of this army of
brave young men, who in our land commerce
are being sacrificed every year by the con-
tinued usa of antlquated and dangerous ap-
planes? A law requiring of every railroad
engaged in interstate commerce the equip
ment each year of given per cent. OF its
freight cars with automatic uplers and air
brakes would compel an agreement between
the roads as to the kind of brakes and
couplers to be used, and would very soon
and very greatly reduce the present fearful
death rate among railroad employees.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
The method of appointment by the States
of electors of President aud e-President
has recently attracted renewed interest by
reason of departure by the State of Mlchi-
gan from the method which had become uni
form in all the States. Prior to 1882 various
methods had been used by the different States
and even by the same State. In some the
choice was made by the Legislatures; in
others electors were chosen by districts, but
rrnnproIlU nv tho voters of the whole
State upon general ticket. The move
ment towards the adoption of the last
named method had an early beginning, and
went steadily forward among the States
until in 1882 there remained but single
State, South Carolina, that had not adopted
it. That State, until the civil war, con-
tinued to choose its electors by a vote of
the Legislature, but after the war changed
it's method and conformed to the practice of
the other States. For nearly sixty years all
the States save one have appointed their
electors by a popular vote upon general
ticket, and for nearly thirty years this
method was universal.
After a full test of other methods without
important division or dissent IN any State
and without any purpose OF party adVan-
tage as we must believe, but solely upon the
considerations that uniformity was desirable
and that a general election in territorial
divisions not subject to change was
most consistent with the popular charac-
ter of our Institutions best preserved
the equality of the voters, and per-
fectlv removed the choice of Presi-
dent from the baneful influence of the
"gerrymander," the practice of all the States
was brought into harmony. That this con
currence should now be broken Is. think,
an unfortunate and even a threatening cpl
sOde and one that may we'll suggest whether
the States that still give their approval to
the old and prevailing method ought
not to secure. by a constitutional amend
menr, practice which has had the approval
of all. The recent Michigan legisla-
ton provides for choosing what are pOpu-
larly known as the Congressional eIector To-.
President by Congressional districts and the
two Senatorial electors by districts created
for that purpose. This legislation was, OF
course. accompanied by new Congressional
apportionment, and the two statues bring
the electoral vote of the State under the in
huence of the ''gerrymander."
These gerrymanders for Congressional pur-
poses are in most cases buUtreSsad by a gerry
mander of the legislative districts, thus max
ing it impossible for ma jority of the legal
voters of the State to correct the apportiOn-
ment and equalize the Congressional dis
tricts A minority rule is established that
only political CONFUSION can overthrow. L
have recently been advised that in one county
of certain State three districts for the cleo
ton of members OF the Legislature are con-
stituted as follows: One has 65 200 popula-
ton; one Is, 900, and one, 10, 900; while in
another county, detached, nOncOntiguous
sections have been united to make legisla-
tive district
These methods have already found effective
application to the choice of Senators and Rep
resentatives in Congress, and now evil
start has been ma le in the direction of apply
ing them to the choice by the States of cleo
tors of President and Fice-Presi1ent. If
this is accomplished, we shall then have the
three great departments OF the Government
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