The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-12-09

inspection and quarantine now required o,
cattle brought into this country the disease
can be prevented from again getting any
foothold. The value to the cattle industry
OF the United States of this achievement
can hardly be estimated
we cannot perhaps at once insist that
this evidence shall be accepted as satie
factory by other countries, but IL the pres
ont exemption from the disease is main
tanned and the inspection Of our cat
tie arriving at foreign ports in which
our own veterinarians participate. con-
trms 1t, we may justly expect that
The requirement that our cattle shall
be slaughtered at the docks will be revoked.
MS the sanitary restrictions upon our pork
products have been. II our cattle can be
taken alive 10 the interior the trade will be
| enormously increased
The subject of quarantine regulations,
inspection and control was brought sud
denly to my attention by the arrival at
our ports in August last OF vessels infected
with cholera. Quarantine regulations
should be uniform at all our ports. Under
the constitution they are plainly within
the exclusive federal Jurisdiction when and
SO FAR as congress shall legislate.
In my opinion the whole subject should
quate power given to the executive to pro.
tect our people against plague invasions.
There is danger that with the coming of
spring cholera will again appear and a
liberal appropriation should be made at
this session to enable our quarantine and
port officers to exclude the deadly plague.
But the most careful and stringent quar-.
antine regulations may not be sufficient
absolutely TO exclude the disease. The
progress of medical and sanitary science
has been such, however. that il approved
precautions are taken at once to put all of
our cities and towns in the best sanitary
condition, and provision is made for iso-
lating any sporadic cases and for thor
ough disinfection, an epidemic can | am
sure be avoided.
This work appertains to the local au-
thorities, and the responsibility and the
penalty will be appalling II it Is neglected
or unduly delayed. We have, | think, n
right and owe duty to our own people
and especially to our working people. not
only to keep ont the vicious. the ignorant.
the civil disturber, the pauper and the
contract laborer, but to check the too
great flow of immigration now coming by
further limitations.
In renewing the recommendation which
/ have made in three preceding annual
messages that congress should legislate for
the protection of railroad employees against
the dangers incident to the old and made
quate methods of breaking and coupling
which are still in use upon freight trains
do so with the hope that this congress may
take action upon the subject.
Elections.
The civil service commission ask for an
increased appropriation for needed clerical
assistance, which think should be given.
| extended the classified service March !, ,
1892, toinclude physicians, superintendents,
assistant superintendents, school teachers
and matrons in the Indian service, and
have had under consideration the subject
Of some further extensions, but have not as
yet fully determined the lines upon which
extensions can most properly and usefully
be made.
| have in each of the three annual mes.
sages which it has been my duty TO sub.
init to congress called attention to the evils
and dangers connected with our election
methods and practices as they are related
to the choice of officers OF the national gov.
ernment. In my last annual message | en-.
deavored to invoke serious attention 70 the
evils of unfair appointments for congress.
calling attention to these grave and threat
ening evils. l had hoped that it was pos
sible to secure a uonpartsan inquiry by
means Of commission into evils the ex.
istence Of which is known TO all, and thar
out of this might grow legislation from
which all thought Of partisan advantage
should be eliminated, and only the higher
thought appear of maintaining the freedom
and purity of the ballot and the equality Of
the elector, without the guaranty Of which
the government could never have been
formed and without the continuance OF
which II cannot continue to exist in peace
and prosperity.
1t is time that mutual charges of unfair
ness and fraud between the great parties
should cease, and that the sincerity of those
who profess a desire for pure and honest
elections should be brought to the test OF
their willingness to free our legislation and
our election methods from everything that
tends TO impair the public confidence In
the announced result.
The necessity for an inquiry and for leg.
islation by congress upon this subject Is
emphasized by the fact that the tendency
of the legislation in some states in recent
years has in some important particulars
been away from and not toward free and
fair elections and equal apportionments,
Is it not time that we should come together
upon the high plane Of patriotism while
we devise methods that shall secure tbs
right Of every man qualified by law to cast
a free ballot and give to every such ballot
equal value in choosing our public officers
and in directing the policy VI the govern.
mentl
The Future.
Lawlessness is not less such. but more,
where it usurps the functions Of the peace
officer and of the courts. The frequent
lynching Of colored people accused OF crime
is without the excuse which has sometimes
been urged by mobs for failure to pursue
the appointed methods for the punishment |
of crime-that the accused have an undue |
influence over courts and juries Such acts
are reproach to the community where |
they occur, and SO far ss they can be made |
the subject OF federal jurisdiction the |
strongest repressive legislation is demand |
ed.
\ public sentiment that will sustain the |
officers of the law in resisting nobs and IN |
protecting accused persons in their custody |
should he promoted by every possible
means The officer who Gives his life In |