The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-12-08
sent TO the same destination are

The work OF the statistical division or th9
del r,'nent OF agriculture deals with all tha&
rel go the economies of farming.
lie lain purpose OF It's m nthly reports n
took the farmers informe as fully as pos
sii lie VI al matters having ny influence upoa
the world 8 markets, In whit h their products
hnd sal Its publications Re late especially To
the col ercial side of farming
1t is ti'"refore of profound Importance and
vital { n ern TO the farmers OF the United
States, 40 represent nearly one-half of our
population, ana also of direct interest To the
whole country, that the work OF this division
be officially perfoi m ID, and that the informa-
ton IL has gathered be promptly diffused. 1t
As matter for congratulations To know that
the secretary win not spare any effort TO mako
this part of his work thoroughly useful. In
the year 1889 the congress appropriated $1,000
70 be taken from the patent office funds, for
the purpose OF collecting and distributing
rare and improved varieties of seeds, and for
prosecuting agricultural investigations and
procuring agricultural statistics. From this
small beginning the division of the department
or agriculture has grown TO its present un-
w1eldly eXtravagant proportions.
During the last fiscal year the cost of seeds
purchased was S66,54S.6l The remainder of an
appropriation of Sl35,U0 was expended in put
ting them up and distributing them 1t surely
never could have entered the minds of those
who sanctioned appropriations of public money
for the purpose of new and approved varieties
OF seels for graf distribution that now this
woIId grow large appropriations Tor the pur-
chase and distribution by members of congress
of ordinary seeds, bulbs and cuttings, which
are common in all the states and territories
and everywhere easily obtanable at low prices.
experiment station has been established These
stations, by their very character and name,
are the proper agencies to experiment with and
test new varieties of seeds; and yet this indis-
criminate and wasteful distribution by legisla-
ton and Legislators continues, answering no
purpose unless it be 70 remind constituents
that their Representatives are willing to re-
member them with gratulties at public cost.
Civil Service.
The continued intelligent execution of ths
civil service law and the increasing approval
by the people of its operation are most crafty
ing; The recent extension of its limitations
and regulations to the employees at free de-
livery postoffices, which has been honestly and
promptly accomplished by the commission,
with the hearty cooperation of the postmaster
general, Is an immensely important advantage
in the usefulness of the system.
L am, II posi- BILE, more than ever convinced
of the incalculable benefits conferred by the
civil service law, not only in its 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 reform in this country
nstructively and Interestingly illustrates how
strong a hold a movement grows upon our
! people which has underlying sentiment OF
justice and right,and which at the same time
proves better administration their govern.
ment.
! The law emBodying this reform found its way
! to our statute book more for the popular senti-
ment in its favor than from any love for tho
! reform itself on the part OF legislators.
Beneath all the vagaries and sublimated
theories which are attracted to it there under
lies this reform sturdy commOnsense princi-
pie not only suited TO this mundane sphere,
but whose application our people are more and
more recognizing to be absolutely essential TO
the most successful operation of their govern
ment, If not to its perpetuity.
II seems to me to be entirely inconsistent
with the character of this reform, as well as
! with its best enforcement to oblige the CON-
mission to rely for clerical assistance upon
clerks detailed from other departments.
There ought not to be such condition in
any department that clerks hired to do work
, there can be spared to habitually work at an
other place; and it does not accord with
sensible view of civil service reform that
persons should be employed on the theory that
theirHlabor is necessary in one department
voted to entirely different work in another
department.
| earnestly urge that the clerks necessary 10
carry on the work of the commission be regu-
larly put upon its roster, and that the system
of obliging the commissioners TO rely upon the
services Of elerks belonging to other depart
crease the expense to the government, while il
would certainly be more consistent and admir-
able to the efficiency OF the commission.
that cannot innocently be neglected by those
intrusted with the control of money matters
from the people for public uses.
AT this time, when depleted public treas
ury confronts us, when many of our people
are engaged in a hard struggle for the neces-
saries of life, and when enforced economy Is
pressing upon the great mass OF our country
men, desire to urge with all the earnesthess
at my command that congressional legislation
be so limited by strict economy as to exhibit
an appreciation of the condition OF the treas
ury and "a sympathy with the Strengthened
circumstances of our fellow-citizens.
Tariff Reform.
The duty of public economy is also of i'm
mense Importance in its intimate and neces-
sary relation TO the task now in hand of pre-
viding revenue to meet government expendi-
lures and yet reducing the peoples burden Of
federal taxation.
After hard struggle, tariff reform is direct
ly before us Nothing so important claims our
attention
as both an opportunity and aduty-an oppor-
tunity to deserve the gratitude OF our fellow
our oft-repeated professions and by the en-
phatic mandate of the people. After full dis
of this REFORM and they have conlided the
work Of its accomplishment to the hands OF
those who are solemnly pledged to IL.
If there Is anything in the theory of repre-
sentation i'm public places of the people and
their desires, If public officers are really
the servants of the people and if political
force, our failure TO give the relief so long
awaited will be sheer recreancy. Nothing
disturb our effort until this reform is accom-
plished by wise and careful legislation.
! While we should staunchly adhere to tho
principle that only the necessity of revenue
justifies the imposition of tariff duties ant
other federal taxation, and that they should
our eve to the fact that the conditions have
grown up among us which in justice and fair
ness call for discriminating care in the dis
emergencies of our government actually de-
demand.
Manifestly If we are TO aid the people
directly through tariff reform one of its most
obvious features should be n reduction in
present tariff charges upon the necessari IS of
life. The benefits of such reduction woum
be palpable and substantial seen and felt by
thousands, who would oe better fed and better
clothed and better sheltered.
These gifts should be the willing benefactions
of Bgovernment whose highest function is tie
promotion OF the welfare of the people. Not
less closely related to our peoples prosperity
and well being is the removal of restrictions
upon the importation of the raw materials
necessary to our manufactures. The world
should be open TO our national ingenuity and
enterprise.
This cannot be while federal legislation,
through the imposition of high tariff, forbids
to American manufacturers az cheap materia y
as those used by their competitors. 1t is quite
obvious that the enhancement of the price or
our manufactured products resulting from this
policy not only confines the market for these
products within our borders TO the direct dis
advantage of our manufacturers, but also in
creases their cost to our citizens
The interests of labor are certainly, though
indirectly, involved in this feature of our tariff
system. The sharp competition and active
struggle among our manu- acturers to supply
the limited demand for their goods soon in
the narrow market to which they are con-
fined. Then follows a suspension of work in
mills and factories. a discharge of employees
and distress in the homes of our workingmen.
a n. n