The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-12-16

great diligence. The total number of pen.
sioners upon the roll on the 30th day Of June,
1891, WAS 676, 100. There were allowed dur
ing the fiscal year en- linz at that time 2jg,-
50j cases or this ht.~-Nar 1O2. 3S7 were al
lowed under the law OF June ~. 1890. The
issuing OF certificates has been proceeding az
the rate of about 30, 600 per month about
seventy-five per cent. Of these being cases
under the new law. The Commissioner ex-
presses the opinion that he will be able to
carefully adjuiicate and allow $50, 900 claims
during the present fiscal year. The appro-
priation for the payment of pensions for the
fiscal year 1S9J-9i was s127 6s5 7g3. so and
the amount expended Sl1s, $50 Gao. % leaving
an unexpended surplus Of 50, 155, 144.G4.
The estimate for pension expenditures for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1898, is sSl44.-
956,0J0, which, after careful examination OF
the subject the Commissioner is of the opin-
ion will be sufficient. While these disburse-
ments to the disabled soldiers Of the great
civil war are large, they do not realize the
exaggerated estimates of those who oppose
this beneficent legislation. The Secretary of
the Interior shows with great fuluess the
care that is taken to exclude fraudulent
claims, and also the gratifying fact that the
persons to whom these pensions are going
are men who rendered, not slight, but sub
stantial war service.
AGRICULTURE.
If the establishment Of the Department of
Agriculture was regarded by any one as a
mere concession to the unenlightened de-
mand of worthy class Of people that ims
preston has been most effectually removed
by the great results already attained Its
home influence ,has been very great in dis
seminsting agricultural aud horticultural
information; in stimulating and directing a
further diversihcation of crops; in detect
ing and eradicating diseases of domestic
animals; and, more than all, in the close and
informal contact which it has established
and maintains with the farmers and stock
raisers of the whole country. Every request
for information has had prompt attention
and every suggestion merited consideration.
The scientific corps of the Department is of
a high order and is pushing its investigations
with method and enthusiasm.
The inspection by this Department of cat
tie 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 maintained by
the European Governments.
For ten years protests and petitions upon
this subject from the packers and stock
raisers of the United States have been di-
rected against these restrictions, which so
seriously limited our market and curtailed
the profits of the farm. 1t isa source Of gen
eral congr atulatiou that success has at last
been attained, for the effects Of an enlarged
foreign market for these meats will be felt
not only by the farmer, but in our public
finances aud in every branch Of trade. 1t is
particularly fortunate that the increased
demand for food products, resulting from
the removal Of the restrictions upon our
means and from the reciprocal trade ar
rangements to which have referred, should
have come at time when the agricultural
surplus is so 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 a market
for $50 600, 900 worth Of these products an
nually.
The grain crop of this year was the largest
in our history, 80 per cent. greater than that
of last year. and yet the new markets tsiat
have b9en opene and the larger demand re-
sultng from short crops in Europe have sus.
tanned prices to such an extent that the
enormous surplus of meats AMI brealstuffs
will be marketed at good pricas, bringing
relief and prosperity to an industry that was
much depressed. The value of the grain crop
of the United States is estimated by the Sec
Tetary to be this year $500 900, 001 more than
last; of meats one hundred an1 fifty mil
lions more, aud of all products of the farm,
seven hun lre1 millions more. 1t Is not in
appropriate, | think; here to sug gest that
our satisfaction in the conte nplati on of this
marvellous addition to the national wealth
is uncloude1 by any suspicion of the cur
rency by which it is measured and in which
the farmer is paid for the pro luct of his
| fields.
The heads of the several Executive Depart
ments have been directed to establish at once
an efficiency record as the basis of a COM
! paratiye rating Of the clerks within
the classified service with a view to
placing promotions therein upon the
such a record, fairly kept and open to the in-
/ spection of those interested, will power
/ fully stimulate the work of the Departments
and will be accepted by all as placing the
| troublesome matter of promotions upon a
| just basis.
PROJECTING RAILROAD EMPLOYEES.
/ have twice before urgently called the at
| tention of Congress to the necessity OF le yiss
lation for the protsctlon of the lives OF rail-
roa1 employees but nothing has yet been
done. During the year ending June 30, 1890,
| 36J brakemen were killed aud 73il manned
while engage in coupling cars. The total
number OF railroad employees killed during
/ the year was 245l, ami the number injured
| 22, 39J This is cruel and largely needless
| sacrifice The Goyernhent is spending nearly
one million dollars annually TO save the lives
Of shipwrecSed seamen; every steam vessel
| is rigidly inspected aud required to adoDt the
most approved safety appliances. Ali this
is good, but how shall we excuse the lack of
! interest and effort in bshalf of this army of
brave young men, who in our land comms rec
are being sacrificed every year by the con-
tinue1 use of antiquated and dangerous ap
pliancesg law requiring of every railroad
gagged in interstate commsrcs the equip
ent each year of a given per cent. OF its
freight cars with automatic couplers and air
brakes would compel an agreement batWaan
4 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 emyloyes.
ELECTION OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
The method of appointment by the States
Of electors of President aud Vice President
has recently attracted renewed interest 10y
reason Of a departure by the State Of Micht
gan from the method which had become uni
form in all the States. Prior to 1882 variou
methods had been used by the different State
and even by the same State. In some tn,
choice was made by the Legislature; il
others electors were chosen by districts bu
more generally by the voters of the who'll
State upon general ticket. The move
ment towards the adoption of the last
named method had an early beginning, an,
went steadily forward among the States,
until in 1892 there remained but a single
state, South Carolina, that had not adopted
it. That State, until the civil war, con
tinued to choose its electors by a vote o
the Legislature, but after the war change
its method and cOntorme1 10 the practice o,
the other States For nearly sixty years al
the States save one have aDDoutsl their
electors by a popular vote upol a general
ticket, and for nearly thirty years thi!
method was universal
After full test Of other methods withou
important division or dissent IN aay Stat,
and without any purpose of party alyan
faHr ns.N ~ 81.