The herald., 1893-12-05

tailed as Indian agents, 1t Is hoped Will
prove successful experiment. There
is danger of great abuses creeping into
the prosecution ot claims for Indian
depredations, and l recommend that
every possible safeguard be provided
against the enforcement OF unjust and
fictitious claima OF this description. The
appropriations on account OF Indian
claims before the wear ending June 80,
1894. amount to 81 954 1862 SO, decrease
as compared with the year preceding it
OF 1897. ISL 95
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
The vast area OF land which but
short time ago constituted the public
domain is rapidly falling into private
hands. 1t is certain that in that trans
fer the benefcent intention OF the gov
eminent to supply from its domain
homes to the industrious and worthy
homesteaders is often frustrated. The
speculator who stands with an extor-
tionate purpose between the land office
and those who, with their families, are
invited by the government to settle on
the public lands, 10 q despisable charac-
ter who ought not to be tolerated, yet it
is difficult to thwart his schemes.
The recent opening to settlement of
the lands in the Cherokee outlet, en-
bracing an area OF 100000 acres, not
withdrawing the utmost care in framing
the regulations governing the selection
OF locatione, and notwithstanding the
presence of United States troops, fur
nished an exhibition. though perhaps
on modified degree, OF the mad scram-
BILE, the violence and the fraudulent oc-
cupation which have accompanied pre-
vious openings of public lands. | con-
cur with the secretary in the belief that
these outrageous incidents cannot be
entirely prevented without change in
the laws on the subject, and l hope his
recommendations in that direction will
be favorably considered.
especially commend to the attention
OF congress The statements contained IN
the secreiary's report concerning foree-
try. The time has come when efficient
measures should be taken for the pres
ervation OF our forests from indiscrimi-
nate and remediless destruction.
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT..
The report of the secretary ef agri-
culture will be found exceedingly inter-
esting, and especially to that large part
OF our citizens intimately concerned in
agricultural occupation. On the 7th
day of March. 1898, there were upon it's
payrolls 2430 employees. This num-
Der has been reduced to 1850
persons. In view OF a depleted public
treasury and the imperative demand of
the people for economy in the admins
tration of their government, the secre-
tary has entered on the task of ration
ally reducing expenditures by the elm
ination from the pay roll of all persons
not needed for an efficient conduct of
the affairs of the department. Durin,
the fret quarter of the present year the
expenses of the department ago Qregated
$345, 5,976.76, as against 5000 AZ for
the corresponding period of the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1893. The secre-
tary makes apparent his intention to
continue this rate of reduction by SUBJ
mitting estimates for the next fiscal
year, less by 1894, ,280 than those of the
present year.
Among the heads of Divisions in these
departments the changes have been ex-
ceedingly few. Three vacancies occur
ing from death and designations have
been filled by the promotion OF assist
ants in the same divisions. These
promotions of experienced and faithful
hnblSb6ntb hhNO AOb Ouly Doon III Ll6
interest OF efficient work, but have sug-
gested to those in the departments who
! look for retention and promotion that
merit and devotion TO duty are their
best reliance.
The amount of appropriation for the
bureau of annual industry for the cur
rent fiscal year lie $850,000. The esti-
mate for the ensuing year is $700, 900.
The regulations of 1892 concerning
Texas fever have been enforced during
the last year, and the largest stockyards
of the country have been kept free from
infection. Occasionally local outbreaks
have been largely effectually guarded
against by the owners Of the affected
cattle.
While contagious pleuro-pnenmonia
in cattle has been eradicated, an animal
tuberculosis, widespread and more dan
gerous to human life than pleuro-pneu-
monia, ia still prevalent. Investigations
have been made during the past year as
to the means of it's communication and
the method of its correct diagnosis.
Much progress has been made in this
direction by the studies of the division
Of animal pathology, but the work
ought to be extended in cooperation
with the local authorities until the
danger to human life arising from this
cause is reduced to minimum.
The number of animals arriving from
Canada during the year and inspected
by bureau officers, was 462 002. and the
number from the trans Atlantic coun-
tries was 1897. No contagious diseases
were found among the imported ami
malls. The total number of inspections
of cattle for EXPORT during the past
fiscal year was Gil .542. aia
The ex ports show falling eff of about
% per cent from the preceding year.
The decrease occurs entirely in the
last half of tbs year. This suggests
that the falling off may have been
largely due to an increase in the price
of American export cattle.
During the year ending June 80, 1898,
exports OF inspected pork aggregated
32o, 677 ,410 pounds as against $50, 1872
374 pounds for the preceding year.. The
falling off in this export was not CON-
fined, however, to inspected pork. The
total quantity in 1892 being 665, 400 GIG
pounds, while in 1898 it was only 527,-
30S 695 pounds.
join the secretary in recommending
that hereafter each applicant for the
position of inspector or assistant in
epector in the bureau of animal industry
be required as condition precedent to
his appointment, to exhibit to the
United States civil service commission
diploma from an established regular
and reputable veterinary college, and
%kal Ia han Il al l.