The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1891-12-17

great diligence. The total number of pension
the roll on the h day Of
fiscal year ending at that time, $50. 5S5 cases.
OF this number, 1U2, 387 were allowed under the
law Of June 81, 1890. The issuing OF certificates
has been proceeding at tho rate Of about 3o,o 600
per month about u per cent Of these being
cases under the new law. The commissioner
expresses TIE opinion that he will III lie 9 able to
during the present fiscal year. The appropria-
tion for the payment Of pensions for the fiscal
surplus Of 50. l55, l44.4 The Commissioner is
quite confident that there will be no call this
year for deficiency appropiati .; notwith-
being pushed. The mistake which has been
made by many In their exaggerated estimates
OF the cost Of pensions is in not taking account
uader recent legislation. These payments
under the general law have been for many
years very large as the pensions, when al
claim. and most Of these claims had
under the law Of June 80 1890 are relatively
creases and that of the old cases diminishes.
thu annual aggregate Of first payments is
largely reduced The commissioner, under
statement that during the last four months il3,-
l75 certificates were issued, 1883 under the
general law and IS, 2S2 under the act OF June -,
four months was Sl31. s., while the average first
payment upon cases allowed during the year
ending June 30, 1891 was sss9.sa being q re-
these four months Of "a The estimate
for pension expenditures for the fiscal
yeat ending June 30, 1898 is SA, 956 900;
ject, the commissioner is of the opinion will be
sufficient. Whi these disbursements to the
disabled soldiers OF the great civil war are
mates Of those who oppose this beneficent leg
islation. The secretary Of the interior shows
with great fullness the care that Is taken to ex
clude fraudulent claims and also the gratifying
fact that the persons to whom these pensions
are going are 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 United States was, on Decem-
Der 81, $780, SIR 512. .6I306. 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 view to its
ultimate collection, should be at once adopt
ed 1t is very difficult, well-nlgh 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 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
labor involved completed. 1t will be strlct!y a
statistical exhibit and less encumbered by es.
says than its immediate predecessors. The
methods pursued have been fair, careful and
intelligent, and have secured the approval OF
the statisticians who have followed them with
q scientific and nonpartisan interest The ap-
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
fullnPSR condition
tories They have shared with the states the
great increase In farm products and are bring
tending their irrgating canals This work is
being done by individuals or local corporations
and without that system which full prelim
o. em o,
future of the territories Of New Mexico, Ari-
Eona and Utah in their material growth and in
the and happnes Of
wise and timely legislation, either by congress
or their own legislatures regulating the distri.
button Of the water supply furnished by their
streams If this matter Is much longer neg
lected private corporations will have unre-
stricted control Of one OF the elements
Of life and the patentees of the arid lands will
improvident granting OF franchises Of enormous
value without recompense to the state mu-
is the most noticeable and flagrant evil OF mod
ern legislation. This fault should not be COM
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 unproht-
abe aud unavailing. The power Of congress
over this subject should not be surrendered un-
pie Of the states to be created would exercise
the exclusive power OF the state over this sub
ject in the same way
Government for Alaska.
recommend that provision be made for the
organization OF simple form OF town govern
ment in Alaska with power to regulate such
matters are usually in the states under
municipal control
The Agricultural ID >partment.
II the establishment OF the department Of
concession to the unenlghtened demand Of
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;
tic animals: and more than all. in the close
and informal contact which 1t has established
and maintained with the farmers and stock
raisers OF the whole country. Every request
for informal has had prompt attention and
every subject merited consideration. The sci
entifc corps Of the department is Il high
Or0er ana Is puSnlnR us 1nveSJlRatlOnS Win
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 removal
governments. For ten years protests and pc
titions upon this subject from the packers and
stock-raisers Of the United States have been
directed against these restrictions. which so
RI mi on nn a
profits Of the farm. 1t is q source Of general
congratulation that success has at last been
foreign market for these meats win be
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 largest
In our history, 30 per cent. greater thar that Of
last year and yet the new markets that have
been opened and the large demand resulting
from short crops in Europe have sustained
surplus of meats and breadstuffs will be mar
perity to an industry that was much de-
United States is estimated bv the secretary 10
be this year SJOoo)0.oOo more than last; OF
meats, el50 10000 more. and Of all products OF
pirate, think, here to suggest that our salts
faction in the contemplation Of this marvellous
addition to the national wealth is uncloud, d
measured and In which the farmer is paid for
the product OF his fields.
The Civil y rvice.
The report Of the civil service commission
should receive the careful attention Of the OPP
ponents we'll as the friends Of this reform.
The commission invites personal inspection
Of senators and representatives OF its records
and methods, and every fair critic will feel
that such an examn alton should precede judg-
ment Of condemnation either of the system or
its administration. 1t is not claimed that
either Is perfect, but believe that
the law has been executed with impair
tiality, and that the system is incomparaby
better and fairer than that OF appointments
upon favor. I have during the year extended
the classified service to include superintend
ents, teachers. matrons and physicians In the
Indian service. This branch Of the service Is
largely related to educational and phianthro-
pic work and will obviously be the better for
the change. The heads Of the several execu-
tive departments have been directed to es-
tablish st once an eficient record as
the basis OF q comparative rating Of
the clerks within the classified service with a
view TO placing promotions therein upon the
basis Of merit am confident that such q
record fairly kept and open to the inspection
Of those Interested will powerfully stimulate
the work II The departments and will be ac-
cepted BY Ill - placing the troublesome matter
Of oil promotions upon q just basis. I recon-
mend that the appropriations for the civil serv-
ice commission be made adequate to the in