Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1894-12-06
which play upon demagogic fears and make
sport OF the patriotic people.
Agricultural mani

which play upon demagogic fears and make
sport OF the patriotic people
Agricultural Department.
Tho secretary OF agriculture In his report
reviews the operations OF his department for
the last fiscal year and make, Recommending
tfons for the further extension OF its useful
ness The recommendations OF the senate
are concurred in The prohibition Of free dis
tribution OF seed by the department is again
urged.
The work done by the department of agr-
culture is very specifically dealt with in this
communication and commend the report OF
the secretary and the very important inter-
ests with which it deals to the careful atten-
tion OF the congress
An exceedingly important recommendation
OF the secretary relates to the manner in
which contests and litigated cases growing
out OF Efforts to obtain government land are
determined The entire testimony upon
which these controversies depend in all their
stages Is taken before the local registers
and receivers and yet these officers have no
power to subpoena witnesses or to enforce
their attendance to testify. These cases,
numbering three or four thousand annually
are sent by the officers to the commissioner
OF the general land office for his action. The
exegencies OF his other duties obi lie him to
act upon decisions OF the registers and re-
ceivers without an opportunity OF thorough
personal examination Nearly 20)) OF these
cases are appealed annually from the commits.
sioner TO the secretary OF the INTERIOR Burden
ed with other important administrative duties,
his determination OF these appeals must be
almost perfunctionary andibased upon the ex-
animation OF others Through this determine
tion OF the secretary operates as final adjudica-
tion upon rights OF very Importance. l concur
In the opinion that the commissioner Of the
general land Office should be relieved from
this duty OF deciding litigated land cases that
non partisan court should be entreated to
pass on such cases and that the decisions OF
this court should be final ut least so far as
the decisions OF the department are final
Civil Service Reform.
The advantages to the public service OF an
adherence to the principles of civil service
reform o u constantly more apparent and
nothing Is so encouraging to those In Official
life who honestly desire good government as
the increasing appreciation by our people OF
these advantages vast majority OF the
voters OF the land are ready to insist
that the time and the attention OF
those they select to perform for
them important public duties should not be
distributed by doing out minor offices and
they are growing 10 be unanimous In regard
ing party or 'anizations as something that
should be used IN establishing pm ty principle,
instead OF debating the distribution of public
places as rewards OF partisan activity
Numerous additional Offices and places have
been brought within civil service rules and
regulations and some others will probably
soon be included The report OF the commits
sioners will be submitted to the congress and
invite careful attention to the re:ommen.
dations 1t contains.
National Board of Health.
am entirely convinced that we ought OF
to be longer without national board of
health or national health officer CHARGED with
no other duties than such as pertain to the
protection OF our country from the Invasion
Of pestilence and disease l earnestly recon-
mend that the Inauguration OF national
board OF health or similar national instru-
mentality believing the same to be u needed
precaution against contagious diseases and in
the interast of safety and hea tn OF poor
people.
Strike Commission.
BY virtue of n statute OF the United States
passed in lsSS l appointed In July last Hon.
j. d Keen of the state OF New YORK and
Hon. Nicholas Il Worthin ,ton of the state
OF Illinois, to form with Hon. Carroll d.
Wright, commissioner OF labor who was des.
ignated by said statute q commiss Toner for the
purpose of making careful inquiry into the
causes OF the controversies between certain
railroads and their employees which had re-
suited in an extensive and destructive
Ssrlhe, accompanied D nuCn violence ana
dangerous disturbance with considerable loss
of life and great destruction of property. The
report OF the commissioner; has been sub.
mtted to me and will be transmitted to con-
gress with the evidence taken upon their in.
vestiGation Their work has been well done
and their standing and intelligence give as.
surance that the report and sug 20 stions they
make are worthy of careful consideration.
Tariff Amendments Urged.
The tariff act passed at the last session OF
congress needs important amendments II 1t is
executed effectively and with certainty in ad-
dition to such necessary amendments as will
not change rates OF duty l am still very de-
cidedly in favor Of putting coal and iron ON the
free list So far us the sugar schedule Is con.
cerned, would be glad under the exstin az
CARNATIONS to soc every particle of dcferential
duty in favor OF refined sugar stricken out OF
our tariff law II with all the favor accorded
the sugar refining interest in our tariff laws it
still languishes to the extent OF closed re-
fineries and thousands Of dischar led work
men II would seem to present hopeless case
for reasonable legislative aid
Whatever else is done or omitted / earnestly
repeat here the recommendation l have made
in another portion OF this communication that
the additional duty OF one tenth of n cent per
pound laid upon sugar imported from coun.
tries paying bounty on its export be abro.
gated II seems to me that exceedingly i'm.
portant considerations point to the propriety
OF this amendment With the advent of o new
tariff policy not only contemplated to relieve
the consumers OF our land In the cost OF their
daily life but to invite better development
OF American thrift and create for us closer
and more profitable commercial relations
with the rest OF the world il follows as u loyi.
cal and imperative necessity that we should
OF once remove the chief IL not only obstacle
which has so Ion; prevented onr participa-
ton in the forei, IN carrying trade OF the sea
A tariff built upon ths theory that II is well to
check imports and that home market hould
bound the industry and effort OF American
producers, was htly supplemented by a re.
fusal TO allow American registry vessels
built abroad thong owned and navigated by
our people. thus exhibiting n willingness to
abandon all contest for the advantages of
American trans oceanic carriaye, Our new
tariff policy bill uoon the theory that 1t is
well to encourage such importations US
our people need and hat our products and
manufactures should find market in every
part OF the 'habitable q lobe is consistently
supplemented by the greatest possible liberty
to our citizens in the ownership and navi,a-
ton OF ships in which our products and man.
ufactures may be transported The million'
now paid to foreigners for carrying American
passengers and products across the sea
should be turned into American hands Ship
buildinp which has been protected 10