The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-12-05

! the purchase and distribution by mem
beFs OF Congress OF ordinary seeds,
bulbs and cuttings which are common
in all the statos aud territories, and
everywhere easily obtainable at low
prices.
In each state and territory an agri-
cultural 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 vet this IN
discriminate and wasteful distribution
by legislation and legislators continues,
| answering no purpose unless it be to
sentatires are willing to remember
them with gratuities at public cost.
Under the sanction OF existing legis-
lation there was sent out from tho agrl-
cultural department during thu last
fiscal year enough OF cabbage seed to
plant 1920 acres OF land, a sufficient
quantity OF beans to plant 1900 acres,
beet seed enough to plant $500 acres,
sweet corn enough to plant 1880 acres,
sufficient cucumber seed to cover 2.O25
acres with vines and enough musk
melon and watermelon seeds to plant
2,675 acre.. The total quantity OF flower
and vegetable seeds thus distributed
was contained in more than nine mil
lion packages, and they were sufficient,
II planted, to cover $500 acres OF land.
In view OF these facts this enormous
expenditure without legitimate returns
OF benefit ought TO be abolished. An
tiCipating contamination so manifest
ly in the interest OF good admluistra.
ton, more than 100000 has been
stricken from the estimate made to
cover this object for the year ending
sumo 30, 1895, and the secretary recon.
mends that the remaining S35, 900 OF
the estimate BIO confined strictly TO the
purchase OF new and improved varieties
OF seeds, aud that these be distributed
through experiment stations.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The continued intelligent execution
OF the civil service law and the increas-
ing approval by the people of its opera
ton, are most gratifying. The recent
extension OF its limitations and regula-
tions TO the employees at free delivery
postohiCos, which has been honestly
aud promptly accomplished by the
commission, with the hearty co-opera-
tion of the post master general, is an
immensely important advance in the
usefulness OF the system. am, If pos
sible, more than ever convinced Of the
incalculable benefits conferred by the
civil service law, not only in its effects
upon the public service, but also, what
is even more important. in its effect in
eleyating tho tone OF political life
generally. The course Of civil service
reform in this country instructingly and
interestingly illustrates how strong n
hold a movement gains upon our peo-
plewhich has underlying it sentiment
OF justice and right, and which at tho
same time promises better Administration
oil their government.
There ought not to be such condi-
ton in any department that clerks
hired to do work there can be spared to
habitually work at another place. and
it does not accord with sensible view
should be employed on the theory that
their service is necessary in one depart
ment when in point OF fact their SER
vices are devoted to entirely different
work in another department.
earnestly urge that the clerks neces-
sary to carry out the work of the COM
mission be regularly put upon its ros-
ter, and that tue system Of obliging the
commissioners to rely upon the SER
vices OF clerks belonging to other depart
ments be discontinued.
Economy in public expenditure is Il
duty that cannot innocently be neg
lected by those intrusted with the con
troll OF money drawn for the people for
public uses. 1t must be confessed that
our apparently endless resources, the
familiarity Of our people with accum-'
mutations OF wealth, tho growing Senti-
ment among them that the expenditure
OF public money should be to their i'm
mediate aud personal advantage, the
indirect and almost stealthy manner in
which large part Of our taxes are ex-
acted, and degenerated sense OF official
accountability have led to growing ex-
travagance in governmental appropria-
tions.
THE TARIFF AND TIE REVENUES.
At this time, when depleted public
treasury confronts us, when many of
our people are engaged in hard
struggle for the necessaries of life, and
when enforced economy is pressing
upon the great mass OF our country
men, l desire to urge with all the
earnestness at my command that con-
cressional legislation DO so limited by
strict economy as 10 exhibit an appre-
citation OF the condition OF the treasury
and sympathy with the straitened cir
cumstances OF our fellow citizens. The
duty OF public economy is also OF i'm
mense Importance in its intimate and
necessary relation to the task now in
hand OF providing revenue 10 meet gov
ernment expenditures aud yet reducing
tho peoples burden OF federal taxation.
After hard struggle tariff reform is
directly before US. Nothing so import
ant claims our attention, and nothing
so clearly presents itself us both an OPP
portunlty and n duty-Rn opportunity
to deserve the gratitude OF our fellow
citizens and duty imposed upon us by
our oit-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-
plishments to the hands OF those who
are solemnly pledged 10 it.
Ii there is anything in the theory of
a representation in public places OF the
people and their desires; ii public off
GERS are really the servants of the
people, aud If political promises and
professions have any binding force, our
failure to give the relief SO long awaited
will be sheer recreancy. Nothing