Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-03

commission. This has led him to call for
such examination of candidates for the po-
sition of assistant stausticians, and also
Of candidates for chiefs Of sections In that
division.
The work done by the Department OF
Agriculture is very specifically dealt with
In this communication, and commend the
report of the Secretary. and the very I'M
portant interests with which 1t deals, TO the
careful attention Of the Congress.
Sttll "a Champion of Civil Service Re-
form.
The advantages to the public service OF
an adherence to the principles of civil serv-
ice reform are constantly more apparent,
and nothing is SO encouraging to those In
official life who honestly desire good gov
eminent 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 and attention
Of those they select to perform for them
important public duties should not be dis
tracted by doing out minor offices. and
they are growing to be unanimous In re-
garding party organization as something
that should be used in establishing party
principles instead OF debating the distri-
button of public places as rewards Of par
tisan activity.
Numerous additional offices and places
have lately been brought within civil serv-
ice rules and regulations, and some others
will probably soon be included.
The report of the commissioners will be
submitted to the Congress, and l invite
careful attention to the recommendations
it contains.
\There Should BE IL National Board of
Health.
I 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 pestilence and disease. This
would Involve the establishment, by such
board OF officer, of proper quarantine pre-
cautions, or the necessary aid and counsel
to local authorities on the subject. prompt
advice and assistance to 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 suppression,
constant and authentic information con-
corning the health Of foreign countries
and all parts of our own country as re-
lated to conte gious diseases; and consid-
GRAFTON Of regulations to be enforced in
foreign ports TO prevent the introduction
Of contagton into our cities and the meas
ures which should be adopted to secure
their enforcement.
There seems to be at this time decided
inclination to discuss measures of protec-
ton against contagious diseases in inter-
national conference with view Of adopt
ing means of mutual assistance.
The creation of such national health
establishment would greatly aid our stand
ing In such conferences and improve Our
opportunities to avail ourselves of their
benefits.
/ earnestly recommend the Inauguration
of a national board of health or similar
national instrumentaiity, believing the
same to be a needed precaution against
contagious disease and in the interest of
the safety and health of our people.
The Strike COmmIssfon's Work Well
Done.
By virtue of statute of the United
States, passed in 1883. Irappointed in July
last Hon. Jno. d. Herman Of tho state of
New York and Hon. Nicholas E. Worth
1ngton Of the state Of Illinois to form. with
Hon. Carroll d. Wright commissioner of
labor, who was desiSnatad by said statute,
careful inquiry into the causes of the con-
troversies between certain railroads and
their employees which had 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
report of the commission has been sub
mitted to me and will be transmitted to
Congress with the evidence taken upon
their investigation. Their work has been
veil done and their standing and inteln-
gerce give assurance that the report and
suggestions they make are worthy of care
full consideration.
FRvOrs the POpEun Bills.
The tariff act passed at the last session
of the Congress needs important amend
ments II 1T is to be executed effectively and
with certainty. In addition to sgch neces-
sary amendments ss will not change rates
of duty, / am still very decidedly In favor of
putting coal and iron upon the free list.
A Blow ut the Sugar Trust.
So far as the sugar schedule is concerned
/ would be glad, under existing assrava-
items. 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 1t still languishes to the ex-
tent ,f closed refineries and thousands of
discharged workn,en, 1t would seem to pre-
sent a hopeless case for reasonable iegisla-
tive aid.
Whatever else is done OF omitted, l ear
nestly repeat here the recommendation i
rave made in lnothcr portion Of this COM
munication, that the additional duty of lilo
IF a cent per pound laid upon sugar i'm
ported from countries paying bounty on
the export be abrogated. 1t seems to me
that exceedingly important considerations
point to the propriety of this amendment
Would Encourage Commerce.
With the advent of new tariff policy
not only calculated to relieve the con-
sumers of our land in the cost of their
daily life but to invite a better develop
ment of American thrift and create for us
closer and more profitable commercial re-
lations with the'rest OF the world, it fol-
lows as a logical and imperative necessity
that we should at orce remove the chief,
if not the only obstacle, which has so long
prevented our participation in the foreign
carving trade of the sea. A tariff built
upon the theory that it is well to check
imports and that O home market should
bound the industry and effort of American