The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-12-21

I. lieved to be projectile superior to any be-
fore in use. A smokeless powder has been
developed and slow burning powder for
gums of large calibre. A high explosive,
capable of use In large shells fired from ser.
vice guns, has been found, AMI the manu-
facture Of gun cotton has been developed 80
that the question Of supply is no longer In
doubt.
| THE NAVAL MILITIA. =
The development Of naval militia, which
has been organized in eight States and
brought into cordial and cooperative rela-
tions with the Navy, Is another important
achievement. There are now enlisted IN
these organizations 1890 men, and they are
likely to be greatly extended. recommend
such legislation and appropriations as will
! encourage and develop this movement.
WORK In THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The work Of the Interior Department, al
ways very burdensone has been larger
than ever before during the administration
Of Secretary Noble. The disability pension
law, the tax ng Of the Eleventh Census, the
opening OF the vast areas Of Indian lands to
settlement, the organization o: Oklahoma,
aud the negotiations for the cession Of In.
dian lands furnish some Of the particulars OF
the increased work and the results achieved
testify to the ability, fidelity and industry
of the head Of the Department and his e@-
cieut assistants. ...., -
The work in the Indian Bureau, in the exc
cution OF the policy Of recent legislation, has
been largely directed to two chief purposes:
First the allotment Of lands in severalty, to
the Indians AMI the cession to the United
States OF the surplus lands; and, secondly, to
the work Of educating the Indian for his own
protection IN his closer contact with the
white man and for the intelligent exercise Of
| n hox,o inno
been called upon to remove Indian agents
appointed by me, and have done 30
promptly upon every sustained complaint OF
unftness or misconduct. I believe, how
ever, that the Indian service at the agencies
has been improved and is now administered
on the whole with good degree Of ef1c.
iency. II any legislation is possible by
which the selection Of Indian agents can be
wholly removed from all partisan sugges-
tions or considerations, am sure 1t would
be great relief to the Executive and q
great benefit to the service.
THE SUBJECT OF PENSIONS.
The report of the Commissioner Of
| Pensions to which extended notice Is given
| by the Secretary Of the Interior in his
report will attract great attention.
Judged by the aggregate amount OF work
done the last year mas been ths greatest in
the history of the Office believe that the
organization of the Office is efficient, and
that the work has been done with fidelity.
The passage Of what Is known as the disabil.
ity bill has, as was foreseen, very largely
increased the annual disbursements to
the disabled veterans OF the civil war. The
estimate for this fiscal year was s144,
956, 900, and that amount was appro-
priated. A deficiency amounting to S10,.
sos, 82l must be provided for at this session.
The estimate for pensions for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1894, Is s165, 900, COO. Toe
Commissioner Of Pensions believes that If
the present legislation and methods are
maintained and futher additions to the pen
sion laws are not made, the maximum ex-
penditure for pensions will be reached June
80. 1894, and will be at the highest point
Sl8s, 100000 per annum.
/ adhere to the views expressed in previous
messages that the care of the disabled SOL
diers Of the war of the rebellion Is matter
emotion cooIs sooner than that Of gratitude,
but cannot believe that this process has
yet reached a point with our people that
would sustain the policy OF ramitting the
care Of these disabled veterans to the made
ouats agencies, provided by local laws. Toe
parade on the Goth Of September last upon
the streets Of this capital Of sixty thousand Of
the surviving Union veterans Of the war Of
the rebellion was most touching and thrill
ing episode, and the rich and gracious well
come extended to them by the District OF
Columbia and the applause that greeted
tteir progress from tens OF thousands Of peo.
ple from all the States did much to revive
glorious recollections Of the grand review,
when these men and many thousand others
now In their graves were welcomed with
grateful joy as victors in struggle in which
the national unity, honor and wealth were
all at issue. 81.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT 3W3RK.
The report of the Secretary OF Agricul-
ture contains not only q most interesting
statement OF the progressive AMI valuable
work done under the administration OF
Secretary Rusk, but many suggestions for
the enlarged usefulness or this important
Department. In the successful effort to
break down the restrictions to the free in
PRODUCTION Of our meat products in the
countries of Europe, the Secretary has been
untiring from the frst stimulating and aid.
ing all other Government officers, al home
and abroad, whose official duties enabled
them to participate in the work.
The total trade in hog products with
Europe In May, 1892, amounted to 81, 000,-
900 pounds, against IA, 900. 900 in the same
month of 1891; in June, 1892, the exports
aggregated IS, 700, 900 pounds, against 49,
500, 00) pounds in the same month OF the
previous year; In July there was an increase
Of Al per cent. and In August Of IS per cent.
over the corresponding months Of 1891. Over
40. .O0O, 900 pounds Of inspected pork have
been exported since the law was put into
operation, and comparison Of the four
months of May, June, July and August
1892 with the same months OF 1891, show an
increase in the number Of pounds Of our e1-
port of pork product Of 62 per cent, and an
increase In value Of 66x per cent. ..
The exports Of dressed beef increased from
137,90O,0O0 pounds in 1889 to 22O, 500. 600
pounds in 1892 or about go per cent. Dur.
Ing the past year there have been exported
1914, ,6y7 head Of live cattle as against 2Oo, 7S6
exported in 1889. This increased exporta-
ton has been largely. promoted by the in
spection authorized by law and the faithful
efforts of the Secretary and his efficient sub
ordinates to make that inspection thorough
and to carefully exclude from all cargoes
diseased or suspected cattle. &c.,,
The requirement Of the English regula-
tions that live cattle arriving from the
United States must be slaughtered at the
docks had its origin in the claim that pleuro-
pneumonia existed among American cattle,
and that the existsncs OF the disease could
only certainly % oeterminso ny po''-uioi
tenn inspection. :,
The Department of A yriculture has labore1
with grest energy and faithfuiness to exsir.
pate this disease; and, on the 18th day OF
September last, public announcement was
made by the Secretary that the disease no
longer existed anywhere within the United
States. Toe value to the cattle industry OF
the United States OF lis achievement can
hardly be estimated. We cannot, perhaps
at once insist that this evidence shall be ac-
cepted as satisfactory by other countries; /;
but If the present exemotion from the dis
| ease is maintainei and the inspection OF our
cattle arriving at foreign ports, in which
! our avn veterinarians narticipata. confirms