The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-12-05

uon eih' 40 iaPiuiy ialllnB lnGo private
hands. 1t is certain that in the trans
fer the benefcent intention of the
Government to supply from it's domain
homes to the industrious and worthy
home seekers is often frustrated.
Though the speculator, who stands
with extortlonate purpose between the
land office and those who, with their
families, are invited by the Govern
ment to settle on the public lands, is
a despicable character who ought not
to be tolerated; yet it is difficult to
thwart his schemes. The recent open
ing to settlement Of the lands in the
Cherokee outlet, embracing an area of
6,500,Uu0 acres, Notwithstanding the
utmost care in framing the regulations
governing the selection of locations
and Notwithstanding to the United
States troops, furnished on exhibition,
though perhaps in modified degree of
the mad scramble, the violence and the
fraudulent occupation which have &C
companied previous openings of public
land. | concur with the Secretary In
the belief that these outrageous Incl
dents cannot be entirely prevented
without a change in the laws on the
subject, and l hope his recommends
tons in that direction will be favorabiy
considered.
Tho report OF the Secretary Of Agri-
culture will be found exceedingly in
teresting, especially to that large part
Of our citizens intimately concerned in
agricultural occupations. On the 9TH
day Of March, 1898, there were upon
its paJ rolls 2,430 employees. This
number has been reduced to 1850
persons In view of a depleted treasury
and the imperative demand Of the
people for economy in the administra-
ton of their government the Secretary
has entered upon the task Of ration
ally reducing expenses by the elimi-
nation from the pay rolls Of all persons
not needed for an efficient conduct
Of the affairs OF the Department..
The exports of agricultural products
from the United States for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1892, at
tanned the enormous figure of
$500, 600, 000 in round numbers, being
rs per cent OF our total exports. In
the last fiscal year this aggregate
was greatly reduced, but nevertheless
reached SOILS, 100000, being rs per
cent. of ali American commodities ex-
ported. A review OF our agricultural
exports with special reference TO their
destination will show that in almost
every line the united kingdom OF Great
Britain and Ireland absorbs By far the
largest proportion.
The continued intelligent execution Of
tho civil service laws and the increasing
approval by the people of it's opera
ton are most gratifying The recent ex-
tension OF it's limitations and regula-
lions to the employees OF the free
delivery OF the postoffices, which has
been honestly and properly accom-
plished by the commission, with the
hearty cooperation of the Postmaster
General, is an immensely important ad-
vance in the usefulness OF the system.
am, il possible, more than even con
vinced of the incalculablc benefits con-
ferrcd by the civil service law.
The Tariff Question.
At this time when depleted public
Treasury confronts us, when many Of
our people are engaged in a hard
struggle for the necessaries of life, and
when enforced economy is pressing on
the great mass of our countrymen, de-
sire to urge, with all the earnestness at
my command, that Congressional legis-
lation BIO so limited by strict economy
as to exhibit an appreciation Of the
condition of the Treasury and a SYM
pathy with the straitened circum stances
of our fellow citizens. The duty of
public economy is also of immense i'm.
portance In its intimate and necessary
relation to the task, now in hand, Of
providing revenue to meet Government
expenditures, and yet reducing the
peoples burden OF taxation.
After hard struggle tariff reform is
directly before us and nothing SO i'm
portant claims our attention, aud moth.
ing so clearly presents itself as both an
opportunity and duty; an opportunity to
nOn 70 of Fol
Citizens, and duty imposed upon us by
our oft-repeated professions and by the
emphatic mandate OF the people. After
full discussion our countrymen have
spoken in favor of this reform, and they
have confided the work OF its accom-
plishment to the hands of those who
are solemnly pledged to it. If there is
anything in the theory OF reform in the
public places Of the people and their de-
sires il the public officers are really the
servants Of the people and II political
promises and professions have any bind
ing force, our failure to give the relief
so long awaited will be sheer recreancy;
nothing should intervene to distract our
attention or disturb our efforts until
this reform is accom- plished by wise and
careful legislation. While we should
stauDchly adhere to the principles that
only the necessity or revenue justites
the imposition of tariff duties and other
Federal taxation, and that they should
be limited by strict economy. We can
not close our eyes to the fact that con-
ditions have grown up among us which
In justice and fairness call for discrimi.
mating care in the distribution of such
duties and taxation as the emergencies
Of our Government actually demand.
Manifestly, II we arc to aid the
people directly through tariff reform,
one OF its most obvious features should
DO reduction in present tariff charges
U pon the necessaries Of lifa. The hana.