Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1894-12-07

ture to investigate an | report upol the nu-
trltive value % the various articles and com
nodities used for human food, with special
suggestion OF full, wholesome and edible
rations less wlsteiul and more economical
than those in common usa.
Under this appropriation the department
has prepared and now has nearly ready Tor
distribution an elementary discussion OF the
nutritive value and pecunlary economy OF
fool. When We consider that fully one
half Of all the money earned by the wage
e1rners otthe civilized world is expended by
them for food. the Importance ard utility
OF sucH an investigation Is apparent.
The department expended In the fiscal
year 1892, %, 1854, ,S09. Sc ; and out OF that sum
the total amount expended IN scientific re-
search was 456 per cent. But in the year
ending June 80, 1894, out OF a total expendi-
ture OF 81, 94s, 98S. 9S, the department ap-
piled 81. per cent. OF that sum TO scientific
work and investigation. Il is, therefore,
very plainly observable that the economies
which have been practiced in the admins
tration OF the department have not been at
the expense OF scientific research.
The recommendation contained 10 the re-
port OF the Secretary for l893 that the
vicious system OF free distribution OF its de-
partment documents be abandoned Is again
urged. These publications. may well be fur
nisned without cost TO public lihr Iries, e1u-
cational institutions and til, officers and IL
hraries OF States AMI of the Federal Govern
ment. But from all individuals applying
for them n prics covering ihe cost OF the
document asked for should be required.
Thus the publications and doc
umenis would be secured by those
who really desire them for proper purposes.
Half million OF copies OF the report OF the
Secretary OF Agriculture are printe for dis
tribution at an annual cost OF about $780,
600. Large numbers OF them 1rs cum
hering store rooms at the Capitol and the
shelves OF secondhand book stores through
out the country. All this labor aud waste
might be avoided IL the recommendations OF
the Secretary were adopted.
The Secretary also again recommends that
the gratuitous distribution OF seeds cease
and that no money be appropriated for that
purpose, except to experiment stations. He
reterates the reasons given in his report for
1898 for disseminating this unjuslinable gra-
tutty, and | fully concur in the conclusions
which he has reached
A further important utility in agricultural
statistics is found in their elucldatlon OF the
relation OF the supply OF farm products to
the demand for them in the markets OF the
United States and OF the world.
II Is deemed possible that an agricu tural
census may be taken each year through the
agents OF the statistical division OF the de-
partment. Such course is commended for
trial by the chief OF that division. Its scope
would be:
Q) The area under each OF the more i'm.
portant crops.
(2) The aggregate products OF each of
such crops.
(3) The quantity OF wheat and corn in the
hands OF farmers at a date after the spring
sowings and paintings an before the begin
ming OF harvest and also the quantity OF
cotton and tobacco remaining In the hands
OF planters, either at tho same date or at
some other designated time.
The cost OF the work is estimated at $500,
000.
Owing to the peculiar quality OF the statis-
tcian's work and the natural and acquired
fitness necessary to its successful prosecu-
tion, 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, exhaustive and sue
cessful examination at the hands OF the
United States OWL Service Commission.
This has LED him to call for such examina-
tion OF candidates for the position OF assist
ant statisticians and also OF candidates for
chief OF sections in that division.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The advantages to the public service OF an
adherence to the principles OF civil service
reform are constantly more apparent, and
nothing is so encouraging to those In offi-
cial life who honestly desire good govern-
ment as the increasing appreciation by our
people Of these advantages. A vast majori-
ty 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 distracted by
doling out minor offices, and they are grow
ing to be unanimous In regarding party Or
Ganization as something that should be
used in establishing party principles instead
OF debating the distribution OF public places
as rewards OF partisan activity
Numerous additional offices and places
have lately been brought within CivllServics
rules and regulations, and some others will
probably soon be included.
The report Of the Commissioners will be
submitted to the Congress, and I invite
careful attention to the recommendations 1t
contains.
NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
lam entirely convinced that we ought not
to be longer without National Board Of
Health, or National Health 0ficer, charged
with no other duties than such as pertain
to the protection OF our country from the In.
vasion OF pestilence and disease This would
involve the establishment, by such board OF
the necessary aid and counsel to local au.
thorities on the subject, prompt advice and
assistance to local boards of health
or health officers In the suppression o.
contagious disease, and In cases
where there are no such local boards or Off.
GERS, the immediate direction by the Ma
tional Board or officer OF measures OF sup
preston, constant and authentic informa-
ton concerning the health OF foreign coun-
entna mi all nAr rho of NtfH nfru ua
related to contagious Diseases and constd-
Grafton OF regulations to be enforced In for
eign ports TO prevent the Introduction OF
contagion Into our cities, and the measures
which should be adopted to secure their en-
| forcement.
There seems to be at this time decided
| inclination to discuss measures Of protection
| against contagious disease In International
| conference. with view OF adopting means
OF mutual assistance. The creation OF such
National health establishment would
greatly aid our standing in such conferences
and improve our opportunities to avail our
selves OF their benefits.
earnestly recommend the Inauguration
| OF National Board OF Health, or similar
National linstrunentality, believing tho same
to be needed precaution against conta-
gious disease and In the interest Of the safety
and health OF our people.
RAILROADS AND THEIR EMP.oYEs.
By virtue OF O statue OF the United States,
passed In 1883, appointed In July last Hon
John d. Herman. OF the State Of New York
and Hon. Nicholas e. Worthington, of tn,
State OF Illinois, to form with with Hon. Oar
roll d. Wright, Commissioner Of Labor, wht
was designated by seid statute, a commission
for the purpose OF making careful inquir,
into the causes OF the controversies between
certain railroads and their employees, whicl
had resulted In an extensive and destructiv,
strike. accompanied by much violence ant
dangerous disturbance, with considerable
loss OF life and great destruction OF property
The report OF the commissioners has beeI
submitted to mo and will be transmitted K
the Congress with the evidence saken upoI
their investigation.
Their work has been we'll done and thei
standing and intelligence give assurance tha
the report and suggestions they make or
| unrfhy nf an raful oopc barrtfon