The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1891-12-10

! I7TI
with power 10 regulate snch malteis
M Afu usual IN tho Hinipu under
municipal control lbeap local civil
organizations VIII give better pt0teps
lion In Huch mAtietH than tho present
skeleton territorial organization
Proper restrictions aa tu tho power To
lovy taxes aud ~ create dphla should
bn imposed
I DEPARTMENT az AGRICULTURE.
~ the establishment of tho ierRtt
nrnCoi agtlcultnrn NJ rnaMdod h., ANY
ono ns II moro cOnCoHHion 10 tho do
mnhd Of n worthy clnHH ui poo.
pie, Tint imptcHsion hna boon
most 0iICGtually removed by tho
gront results already attained It's
homo Influence hnH boon worry gront IN
disseminating agricultural md hort.
cultural information, stimulating and
directing further liberalization of
crops, In detecting and Graduating
diseases Of domestic animals md more
than all in tho close and informal con-
tact which IL has established and
maintains with the farmers and stock
ralserS OF tho whOlo country. Every
request for information has had prompt
attention and every suggestion NOR
tied consideration Tho scientific
corps Is OF high order and IL pushing
It's Investigations with method and
enthusiasm.
The inspection by this department
OF cattle and pork products intended
for shipment abroad has been the
basis OF the success which has attend
ed our efforts to secure the removal Of
the restrictions maintained by tho
European governments. For ten
years protests and petitions upon this
subject from the packers and stock
raisers Of the United States have been
directed against these restrictions
which so seriously limited our mar
kets and curtailed the profits Of the
farm. 1t is source of general con
graduation that success has at last
been attained, for the effects of an en-.
larged 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 rood
products, resulting from the removal
Of the restrictions upon our meats, is
from the reciprocal trade arrange
ments, to which / have referred,
should have come at time when the
agricultural surplus is SO large With
out the help thus derived lower prices
would have prevailed.
The secretary Of agriculture esti-
mates that the restrictions upon the
importation Of oar pork products into
Europe lost US market for so, 900, 900
worth Of these products annually.
The grain crop Of this year was the
largest in our history, 80 per cent
greater than that Of last year, and the
markets have been opened and the
large demand resulting from short
crops in Europe has sustained prices
to such an extent that the enormous
surplus Of meats and breadstuffs will
be marketed at good prices, bringing
relief and prosperity 20 an industry
that was much depressed. The
value Of the grain crop Of the
United States is estimated by
the secretary to be this
year 800, 100000 more than last, of
meats $50, 200, 900 more, and of all
products Of the farm 500 900, 800 more.
1t is not inappropriate, think, here
to suggest that our satisfaction in the
contemplation Of this marvellous addi-
ton to the national wealth is I'M
clouded by any suspicion Of the cur
rency by which ii is measured and in
which the farmer is paid fog the pro-
duct hi3 field.
CIVIL SERVICE.
Therepo7t of the civil service COM
mission should receive the careful at
tention of the oppOnentsa as we'll as the
friends Of this reform. The commits
sion invites q personal inspection by
senators and representatives of its
records and methods, and every
fair critic will feel thai, such
an examination should proceed
a judgment OF condemnation
either If the system or its adninistra-
lion. 1t is not claimed to be perfect,
but / believe the law is being execu-
ted wish impartiality and the system
is incomparably better and fairer
than that Of appointment upoa favor.
| have during the year extended the
service to include superin-
tendeDts, teachers, riatrOns and phys
icians in the Indian service. This
branch Of the service is largely rela-
ted to educational and philanthro-
pical work and will obviously be the
better FOR the changes. The heads of
the seTeral executive departments
have been decided to establish at once
an ineiticiency record as the basis of a
comparative rate fCG the clerks within
the classified service with a view to
placing promotions therein upon the
oasis of merit. | am confident that
such a record, fairly kept and open to
the inspection of those interested.
will powerfully stimulate the work of
the departments and will be accented
by al as placingtAe trOublesomem mat
ter of promotions upon a just Lasis.
recommend that the appropriations
for the civil service commission he
made adequate to the increased wa!rt
of the next fiscal year.
RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.
have twice before urgently calJad
the attention of congress to the reces.
sity of legislation for the protection of
the lives Of the railway employees but
I. - l.