Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-04

The secretary also again recommends that the gratuitous distribution of seeds cease, and that no money be appropriated for that purpose. except to experiment. sta iions. He reitefates the reasons given in his report for 1893 for discontinuing this unjustifiable gratuity, and fully concur in the conclusions which he has reached.
 A further important utility in egricul- tural statistics is found in their elucidation of the relation of the supply of farm products to the demand for them in markets of the United States and of the world. It is deemed possible that an agri- cultural census may be taken each year through the agents of the statistical divi. sion of the department. Such course is commended for trial by the chief of that division. It's scope would be CD the area under each of the more important crops; t2) the aggregate product of each ot such crops; (3) the quantity of wheat and corn in the hands of farmers at date after the spring sowings and plantings and before the beginning of harvest, and also the quantity of cotton and tobacco in the hands of planters either at the same date or at some other designated time. The cost of the work is estimated at $500 GOO
 Owing to the peculiar quality Of the statistician's work and the natural and &C., quired fl mess necessary to it's successful prosecution, the secretary of agriculture expresses the opinion that every person employed in gathering statistics under the chief of that division should be admitted to that service only after thorough, eX- haustive and successful eX animation at the hands of the United States civil service commission This has led him to call for such examination of candidates for the position of assistant statislicans and also of candidates for chiefs oi sections iu that division,
 The work done by the department oi az riculture IS very superfically dealt with m this communication, and l commend the report of the secretary and the very impor- tant interests with which 1t denls to the careful atIeation of the congress. The ad- vantage to the public services of an adher- ence to the principles of civil service re- form are constantly more apparent, and nothing is so encouraging 10 those in oth- cial life who honestly desire good govern ment as the increasing appreciation by our people of these advantages. A vast majority of the voters of the land are ready to insist that the time aud attention of those they select to perform for them these i'm porlant public duties should not be distracted by doling out minor offices, and they are growing to be unanimous in regarding party organization as something that sh ould be used in ishing party principle instead of dictsiion of distribu. ton of public places as reward of partisan activity. Numerous additional o ffices and places have lately been brought within civil service rules and regulations, and some oth CTS wi probably soon be included. The report of the commissioners will be submitted 10 the congress, and l invite careful attention to the recommendations it contains.
 NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
 am entirely convinced that we ought not 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 pestileuce anu disease. This would involve the establish ment, by such Ax~ar r(fsa @f cautions, or the necessary ald and counsel to local authorities on the subject, prompt advice and assistance 10 local boards of health or health officers in the suppression of contagious disease and in cases where there are no such local boards or officers the immediate direction by the national board or officer of measures of suppress sion, constant and authentic in formation concerning the health of foreign countries and all matters of our own country, as re- lated 10 contagious diseases, and consider alton of regulation to be enforced against foreign ports To prevent the introduction of contagion into our cities and the meas ures which should be adopted 10 secure their enforcement.
 There seems to be al this time e decided inclination to discuss measures of protec- ton against contagious diseases in interna- tional con ference with view of adopting means of mutual assistance. The creation of such national health establishment
 
 conferences and improve our opportunities to avail ourselves Of their benefits. l earnestly recommend the inauguration of national board of health or similar national instrumentality, believing the same to be needed precautiou against contagious dis eases and in the interest of the safety and health of our people.
 STRIKE COMMISSION.
 By virtue of q statute Of the United States passed in 1888, 1 appointed in July last Hou. John D. Kurnan of the state of New Yotk and Hon. Nicholas E. Worthington of the state of Illinois to form with Hon. Carroll D. Wright commissioner Of labor, a commission for the purpose of making careful inquiry into the causes of the con troversies between certain railroads and their employees, which have resulted in an extensive and destructive strike, accom- panied by much violence and dangerous disturbance, with considerable loss of life and great destruction of property. The re- port of this commission has been sub mitted to me and will be transmitted to congress with the evidence taken upon their investigation. Their work has been well done, and their standing and inteili- gence gives assurance that the report and suggestions they make are worthy of care tul consideration.
 TARIFF REFORM.
 The tariff act passed at the last session of the congress needs important amendments
 
 certainty. In addition to such necessary amendments as will not change rates oi duty am still very decidedly in favor of putting coal and iron upon the free list. So far as the sugar schedule is concerned 1 would be glad, under existing aggrava. tions, to see every particle of differential duty in favor of refined sugar stricken out of our tariff law. If with all the favor now accorded the sugar refining interest in our tariff laws it still languishes to the extent of closed refineries and thousands of dis charged workmen, it would seem 10 prese nt hopeless case for reasonable legislative aid.
 Whatever else is done or omitted ear nestly repeat here the recommendation 1 bave made in another portion Of this con- munication, that the additional duty of l-10 of q cent per pound laid upon sugar imported from countries paying bounty on its export be abrogated. l. Sc ,ns to me thatex ceedingly important considera- tions point to the proprie of this amend ment. With the advent of new tariff policy not only calculated to relieve the consumers of our land in the cos; of their daily life, but to invite better develop meut of American thrift and create for us closer and more profit a ble com tuercial re la-