Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1893-12-08

moral and religious teaching must be inn
portant factors in any effort to save the In
dian and lead him to civilization. ] be
lieve, too, that the REIMBURSEMENT of tribal
relations and the holding Of land in sever
atty may, in favorable conditions, aid this
consummatiOn. 1t seems to me, however,
that alotments of land in severalty ought
to be made with great care and cirCum-
spection. If hastily done, before the In
dian knows its meaning, while yet he has
little or no idea of tilling farm and no
conception of thrift, there is great danger
that a reservation life in tribal relations
may be exchanged for the pauperism of
civilization, instead of its independence
and elevation.
The Agricultural Department.
On the 9TH day of March, 1893, there
were upon the pay rolls of this department
24S0 employees. This number has been
reduced to 1850 persons. In view of a de-
pleted public treasury, and the imperative
demand of the people for economy in the
administration of their government, the
secretary has entered upon the task of ra-
tionaly reducing expenditures by the elm
nation from the pay rolls of all persons
not needed for an efficient conduct of the
aft airs of the department.
The regulations of 1892 concerning Tex
as fever have been enforced during the last
year, and the large stock yards of the
country have been kept free from infection.
While contagious pleuro-pneumonia in cat
tie has been eradicated animal tuberculosis,
a disease widespread and more dangerous
to human life than pleuro- pneumonia, is
still prevalent. Investigations have been
made DURING fhn 70 b.
means of its communication and the meth
cd of its correct diagnosis. This work
ought to be extended, in cooperation with
local authorities, until the danger to hui
man life arising from this cause is reduced
to a minimum.
The agricultural exports show a falling
of of about - per cent from the proceed
ing year, the decrease occurring entirely in
the last half of the year. This suggests
that the falling off may have been largely
due to an increase in the price Of American
export cattle.
The exports Of agricultural products
from the United States for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1892, attained the enor-
nous figure OF 100000. 900 in round num-
bers, being ISL per cent Of our total ex-
ports In the last fiscal year this aggre-
gate was greatly reduced, but, ncverthe-
less, reached S6lj, 0O0,O 600. being 75.l per
cent OF all American commodities export
ed
Enormous Distribution Of seeds.
Under the sanction Of existing lerisla-
ton there was sent out from the agricult-
ural department during ne last fiscal year
enough of cabbage seed to plant ~, 200
acres of land. sufficient quantity Of
i..tu Va g., I'll. /.
to plant 300 acres, sweet corn enough to
plant 800 acres, sufficient cucumber seed
to cover POPS acres with vines. and enough
muskmelon and watermelon seeds to plant
2675 acres. The total quantity of flower
and vegetable seeds thus distributed was
contained in more than 1900, 900 packages,
and they were sufficient, if planted, to COW
er $3.50 acres OF land.
In view of these facts this enormous ex-
penditure, without legitimate returns of
benefit, ought to be abolished. Anticipat-
ing a conSummation so manifestly in the
interest of good administration, more than
$780, 600 has been stricken from the esti-
mate made to cover this object for the year
ending June 30, 1888; and the secretary
recommends that the remaining $50. 900 of
the estimate be confined strictly to the
purchase of new and improved varieties of
seeds and that these be distributed through
experiment stations.
CiViI Service Reform.
The continued intelligent execution of
the civil service law and the increasing ap-
proyal 10y the people of its operation are
most gratifying. The recent extension Of
its limitations and regulations TO the EN-
ployes at free delivery pos,-othces, which
has been honestly and promptly accom-
plished by the commission, with the hearty
cooperation of the postmaster general, is
an immensely important advance in the
usefulness of the system. / am, if posi-
bic, more than ever convinced OF the in
calculable benefits conferred by the civil
service law. not only in it, effect upon the
public service, but also, what is even more
important in its effect in elevating the tone
OF political life generally. The course Of
civil service reform in this country in
structively and in erestingly illustrates how
strong hold a movement gains upon our
people which has underlying it senti-
ment OF justice and right, and which at the
same time promises better administration
of their government. The law embodyng
this reform found its way to our statute
book more from fear of the popular senti-
ment existing in its favor than from any
love for the reform itself on the part of
legislators, and it has lived and grown and
tlourished in spite of the covert as well as
open hostility of spoilsmen and notwith-
standing querulous impracticability of
many self-constituted guardians. Beneath
all the vagaries and sublimated theories
which are attracted to ii. there underlies
this reform a sturdy common-sense princi-
pie not only suited TO this mundane sphere.
but whose application our people are more
and more recognizing 10 be absolutely es-
sential to the most successful operation of
their government, if not to its perpetuity.
Tariff Reform
After a hard struggle tariff reform is di-
rectly before us. Nothing so important
claims our attention and nothing so clearly
presents itself as both an opportunity and
a duty-an opportunity to deserve the graf
itude of our fellow citizens and duty i'm
posed upon us BY our oft-repeated profess
sions and by the emphatic mandate of the
people. After full discussion our country
men have spoken in favor of this reform,
and they have contided the work of its &C
complishment to the hanis of those who
are solemnly pledged to it.
If there is anything in theory of a repre-
sentation in public places of the people
and their desires, if public officers are real
ly the servants of the people, and if polit-
ical promises and protestations have any
binding forpa our failura 70 riva ba r.,li,F