The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-12-11

: ducts into Europe lost us a market fo,.
, con 600, 600 worth Of these products an
nually.
J 80 grain creep this year was the larg-
est II our history. SO per cent. greater
than that Of last year, and yet the new
, markets that have been opened and the
larger demand resulting from short
crops in Europe have sustained prices to
such ail extent that the enormous sur
llUs Of meats and breadstuffs will be
, marketed at good prices, 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 secretary to be this wear Eve
hundred million dollars more than last;
OF meats, one hundred and fifty. mill
ions more, and Of all products Of the
iGr-1, seven hundred millions more.
Civil Service Reviewed.
The report Of the civil service con-
mission should receive the careful at
tention Of the opponents. IS well as the
friends CT this reform. The commission
invites a personal inspection by senator's
and representatives OF is records and
methods; and every fair critic will feel
that such an examination should pre-
cede a Judgment OF condemnation,
either OF the system or its administra-
ton. It is not claimed that either is per-
feet, but [ believe that the law is being
executed with iUpartiality. and that the
system is incomparably better and fairer
than that OF appointments upon favor.
] have during tie year extended the
classified service to include super
interdente, teachers, rnatrons and physi-
CLANS in the Indian service. This
Branch of the service is largely related
to educational and philanthropic work
and viii obviously be tho better for the
change.
The heads Of the several executive dc.
partments have been directed to estab-
llsh ct once al efficiency record as the
basis OF . comparative rating Of the
clerks within the classified service, with
q view to placing promotion therein
upon the basis Of merit. am confident
that such q record, fairly kept
and open to the inspection of
these interested. will powerfully slim
uiate the work OF the departments and
will be accepted by all as placing the
troublesome matter of promotions upon
q just basis
l recommend that the appropriations
roT the clTll service commission be made
adequate 10 the increased work OF the
next fiscal year.
Foe Railroad Employees.
have twice before urgently called
attention OF congress to the necessity Of
legislation FOX the protection OF the
lives OF railroad employees, but nothing
has yet been done During the wear
ending June 80, 1890, 369 brakemen
were killed and 7,841 MANNED while en-
gagged in coupling cars. The total num-
Der OF railroad employees killed during
the year was 2,451, and the number in
Jured 1880. This is cruel and large
~ a needless sacrifice, The govern
ment is spending nearly one million
dollars annually to save the lives of
shipwrecked seaman; every steam vessel
is rigidly inspected and required to
adopt the most approved safety appli-
ances. All this is good, but how shall
We excuse the lack Of interest and effort
in behalf Of this array Of brave youag
inen who in our land commerce are be-
ing sacrificed every year by the
contained use CT ant quatel
and dangerous appliances. A law re-
curing q every railroad engaged in in
terstate commerce the equipment each
year Of given per cent OF its freight
cars with automatic coUplers and air
brakes and couplers TO be used, and
would very s0on and very greatly reduce
the present fearful death rate among
railroad employees.
For Ballot Reform.
The method Of appointment By the
states Of electors Of president and vice
president has recently attracted re-
lewed interest by reason Of a departure
by the State OF Michigan from the
method which had become uniform in
Ill the states, The recent MICHIGAN ler-
islation provides for choosing what are
popularity known rs the congressional
electors for president by congressional
districts, and the two senatorial electors
by districts by electors created for that
purpose This legislation was, of course.
accompanied by a new congressional ap-
portionment. 1t is not my purpose TO
discuss the question whether choice b.
the legislature or II the voters OF equal
single districts is q choice ~ the state,
but only to recommend such regulation
Of this movement by constitutional
amendment as will secure uniformity
and prevent that disgraceful partisan
jugglery TO which such q liberty OF
choice, il it exists, offers temptation.
Nothing just now is more important
than to provide every guaranty for the
absolutely fair and free choice by an
equal suffrage, within the respective
states Of ali members Of the national
government, whether that suffrage is
applied directly, as in the cIoice
OF members of the house of
representatives, or indirectly, as in the
choice OF senators and electors Of pre5i-
dent. Respect for public officers and
obedience to law will not cease to be the
characteristics of our people until our
elections cease to declare the will Of
majorities fairly ascertained, without
fraud, suppression or gerrymander. If
/ were called upon to declare wherein
our chief national danger lies, should
say without hesitation, in the overthrow
Of majority control by the suppression
or perverslon of the popular suffrage.
An attempt was made in the last con-
gross to bring to bear the constitutional
powers Of the general government for
the conviction Of frauds against the suf-
frage. 1t is important to know whether
the opposition TO such measures is really
rested IN particular features supposed
to be Objectionable or includes any pro-
position to give to the election laws of
the United States adequacy to the cor
rection of grave and acknowledged
evils. must entertain the hope that it
is possible to secure calm, patriotic
consideration of such constitutional or
| OF obs L.