Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-04

itating applicants from the perform
ance of manual labor to such a degree
as to render them unable to earn a sup
port" The discovery having be-
made that many names had been pu
upon the pension roll by means o
wholesale and gigantic frauds, ths
Commissioner suspended payment:
upon a number of pensions which
seemed to be fraudulent or unauthor
lied pending complete examination
l am unable to understand why
frauds in the pension rolls should moi
be exposed and corrected with
thoroughness and vigor. Every name
fraudulently put upon these rolls is
wicked imposition upon the kindly
sentiments in which pensions have
their origin every fraudulent pension
er has become bad citizen every false
oath in support of pension has made
perjury more common, and false and
understanding pensioners rob the peo'
pie not only of their money, but OF the
patriotic sentiment which the survivors
of q war, fought for the preservation q
the Union, ought to inspire. Thous'
ands of neighborhoods have their we'll
known fraudulent pensioners, and re.
cent developments by the Bureau es-
tablish appalling conspiracies to &C,
complish pension frauds. By no means
the least wrong done is to brave and de-
serving pensioners, who certainly ought
not to be condemned to such associa-
ton. Those who attempted in the line
of duty to rectify these wrongs should
not be accused of enmity or indifference
to the claims Of honest veterans.
The condition of the Indians and
their ultimate fate are subjects which
are related to sacred duty of the
Government, and which strongly ap,
peal to the sense of justice aud the
sympathy of our people.
am sure that secular education and
moral religious teaching must be i'm
portant factors in any effort to save the
Indian and lead him to civilization.
believe, too, that the REIMBURSEMENT Of
tribal relations and the holding Of land
in severalty may, in favorable condi,
tions, aid this consummation.
l especially commend to the atten-
ton of Congress the statements con-
tanned in the report of the Secretary OF
the Interior concerning forestry. The
time has como when efficient measures
should be taken for the preservation Of
our forests from indiscriminate and
remedies destruction.
The report of the Secretary of Agri-
culture will be found exceedingly in
teresting to that large part of our cit
liens intimately concerned in agricul,
tural occupations.
In view of q depleted public treasury
and the imperative demand of the PEG
pie for economy in the administration
of their government, the Secretary has
entered upon the task of nationally re.
ducing expenditures by the elimination
from the pay rolls of all persons not
needed for an efficient conduct Of the
affairs of the department. | join the
Secretary in recommending that here
after each applicant for the position OF
inspector or assistant inspector i'll the
Bureau of Animal Industry be required
TO exhibit his diploma from ar estab,
lished, regular and reputable veterinary
college, and that this be supplemented
by such an examination in veterinary
science as the commission may prescribe.
In each State and Territory an aeri-
cultural experiment station has been es-
tablished. These stations are the proper
agencies 10 experiment with and test
new varieties OF seeds; and yet the in
discriminate and wasteful distribution
by legislation and legislators continues.
answering no purpose unless it be tor
mind constituents that their represent
atives are willing to remember them
with gratuities at public cost.
| am, if possible, more than ever con-
WINGED of the incalcuIable benefits con-
ERRED by the civil service law, not
only in its effect upon the public SER
vice, but also, what is even more i'm
portant, in its effect in elevating the
tone OF political life generally. 1t
s,ems to be entirely inconsistent with
the character of this reform, as well as
with its best enforcement, to oblige the
commission to rely for clerical assist
ance upon clerks detailed from other
departments. 1t does not accord with
sensible view of civil service reform
that persons should bo employed on the
theory that their labor is necessary in
one department when in point of fact
their services are devoted to entirely
different work in another department.
earnestly urge that the clerks neces-
sary to carry on the work of the COM
mission be regularly put upon its ros-
ter, and that the system of obliging the
commissioners to rely upon the services
of clerks belonging to other depart
m ,nts be discontinued.
After hard struggle tariff reform
is directly before us. Nothing
so important claims our at
tentlon and nothing so clear
ly presents itself as both an OPP
portunity and duty. After full dis
oussion our countrymen have spoken
in favor Of this reform, and they have
confided the work of its accomplish.
ment to the hands Of those who are
solemnly pledged to it. Nothing
should interveneto distract our atten-
ton or disturb our effort until this re-
form is accomplished by wise and care
full legislation. If we are to aid the
people directly through tariff reform.
one of its most obvious features should
be reduction in present tariff charges
upon the necessaries oflife. The benefits
Of such a reduction would be palpable
and substantial, seen and felt by thous-
ands who would be better fed and bet
ter clothed and better sheltered. Not
less closely related TO our peoples pros.
perity and wel-being is the removal of
AIn