The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1893-12-08
AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.
Secretary Morton. Economic Policy.

Secretary Norton Economic Policy.
lure will be found exceedingly interesting
especially to that large part of orr citi-
zens intimately concerned in agricultural
occupations. =.
On the 18th day of March, 1899, there
were upon its pay rolls, 2.430 employees.
This number has been reduced to $50
persons. In view Of a depleted public
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 nationally
reducing expenditures by the elimination
from the pay roll of all persons not
needed for an efficient conduct of the
affairs of the department. During the
first quarter of the present year the ex-
penses of the department aggregated $780,
BIG. rs, as against S402, 02l.42 for the cor
responding period of the fiscal year II Il
ing June 30, 1898. The secretary makes
apparent mis- intention to continue this
rate of reduction by submitting estimates
for the next fiscal year less by S994,2 8)
than those of the present year.
The regulations of 1892 concerning Texas
fever have been enforced during the last
year, and the largest stock yards of the
country have been kept free from infec-
ton. Occasional local outbreaks have
been largely such as could have been
effectually guarded against by the owners
OF the affected cattle.
While contagious pleuro-pne@@ mona in
cattle has been eradicated, animal tuber-
culosis, a disease corresponding and more
dangerous to hun IN life than pleuro-
pneumonia. is still prevalent. Investiga-
lions have been made during the past year
as to the means of its communication and
the method of its correct diagnosis.
The exports of agricultural products
from the United States for the fiscal year
ending Jun 80, 1892, attaired the enor-
nous figure OF $500, 600, 900 in round mum =
bers, being 1871 per cent of our total ex-
ports. Of pork products the total exports
were sS4, 000, 900, of which Great Britain
took S53, 000, 000. In breadstutfs, cotton
and minor products, like proportions sent
to the same destinations are shown.
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 Ire
land absorbs by far the largest proportion.
Of cattle the total exports aggregated in
1898, SIG, DOC, 900, of which Great Britain
took considerably over $25, Coz, 900; of beef
products of all kinds, our tottl exports
were S2S, 100, 900, of which Great Britain
took S24, 600, 000.
From a small beginning, the seed di-
vision of the department of agriculture
has grown to its present unwieldiy and
unJustifiably extravagant proportions.
During the last fiscal year the cost OF
seeds purchased was SIC, 54S.6 81. The re
mainder of an appropriation of S135, 900
was expended in pulling them up and dis
tributlng them. 1t surely never could
have entered the minds of those who first
sanctioned appropriations of public money
for the purchase of new and improved
varieties Of seeds for gratuitous distribu-
ton, that from this would grow large ap-
preparations for the purchase and distribu-
ton by members of congress of ordinary
seeds, bulbs and cuttings which are com
mon in all the states and territories and
everywhere easily obtainable ut low prices.
Under the sanction of existing legisla-
ton there TaS sent out from the agricul-
tural department during the last fiscal
year enough of cabbage seed to plant 49,
200 acres of land, a sufficient quantity of
beans to plant 1000 acres, beet seed
enough to plant $500 acres, sweet corn
enough to pant 1880 acres sufficient GU
cumber seed to cover 2,025 acres with vines
and enough muskmelon and watermelon
seeds to plant 2,675 acres. The total guam
tity of flower and vegetable seeds thus dis
tribute i was contained in more than 9,00O,-
600 packages and they were sufficient if
planted to cover 80, 500 acres of land.
LII VI IlCSo Uhlo Cl1oIH lOu GA
penditure without legitimate returns of
benefit ought to be abolished. Anticipat-
ing a contamination $ manifestly in tie
interests of good administration, more
than 100000 has been stricken from the
estimate made to cover this object for the
year ending June 80, 1894; and the secre-
tary recommends that the remaining $685.
900 of the estimate be confined strictly to
the purchase of new n improved varie-
ties of seeds, n these be distributed
through experiment stations. Thus the
seed will be tested, and after the test has
been completed by the experiment station
the propagation of the useful varieties
n tne.rejection of the valueless may safe
ly be left to the common sense of the peo-
pie.
The Civil Service Law.
The continued intelligent execution of
the civil service law and the increasing APP
prevail by the people of its operation are
most gratifying. The recent extension of
it's limitations and regulations to the en-
ployes at free delivery postofffces, which
has been honestly and promptly accom-
plished by the commission, with the
hearty cooperation of the postmaster gen
eral, is an immensely important advance
in the usefulness of the system. am, if
possible, more than ever convinced of the
i~ncalculable benefits conferred by the civil
service law not only in its effect upon the
public service, but also that it is even
more important in it's effect in elevating
the tone of political life generally.
The course of civil service reform in this
country instructively and interestin.lt
illustrates how strong a hold a movement
gains upon our people, which has under
lying it Il sentiment of justice and right
and which at the same time promises bet
ter administration of their government.
The law embodying this reform found it,
way into our statute book more from feaI
of the popular sentiment e~xistingin its ia
vor than from any love for the reform itself
on .la part of legislators, and j.
has led and grown and flourish il
in spite Of the covert and open kostiI
ity of specimen and. Notwithstanding tie
querulous ,..!practicability of many self
constituted Guardians, beneath all the
vagaries and sublimated theories which
are attracted 10 IL. there underIies this re-
form a sturdy principle,
not only suited to this sphere, but who's
application our people are more and more
recognizing to be absolutely essential to
the most successful operation of their gov
eminent, if not to its perpetuity. 1t
seems to HE to be entirely inconsistent with
the character of this reform, as well as
with its best enforcement, to oolige the
commission to rely for clerical assistance
Upon clerks detailed from other depart