The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-03-29

Congress. Weed ExtermiRa tor,
Should Tackle Old Pests First.
I'hlIadeIphia MINES

Senator Hansbrough, of North Dakota,
wants the government of the United States
to go into the weed-kiling business and has
introduced a bill in the Senate making an
appropriation of one million dollars for the
determination of the newly-imported Russian
thistle. Senator Hansbrough cannot point
the United States empowering Congress 70
engage in the determination of weeds, but
being a new Senator from a wild Western
State something may be forgiven him on this
score. The Constitution of the United States
Is century Old and the Senators and Con-
gressmen representing the States of yester-
day have not had time to read up on consti-
tutions and other literature dating from the
last century.
Overlooking entirely the constitutional
features of the case, however, there seem to
be some practical difficulties in the way Of
besinan$ the process or weed
many different kinds Of weeds that annoy
the American farmer present the first obsta-
determination of the Russian thistle. with a
prospect that indefinite millions will be re-
quired to complete the job. how many mill
lions will be required to eradicate the rag
weed, pgWeed. sWartweed, chickweed, poke
weed, nliikweed. mullen, knotgrass corn
plantain Canada thistle, bull-thistle COM
mon thistle, meadow moss, pennyroyal,
cookie burr and the thousand other weeds
and wild growths imported or to the manor
born? If the treasury is bankrupt now
what will be the extent of the financial
vacuum that will mark the place where the
treasury Was NucL all Tie HSSuS nave DCcl
eXternlnated?
There is another feature of the case for
other Senators besides Hansbrough to con-
slider. If Congress Is to relieve the farmers
of the trouble of eXterminating their own
weeds why should the first million be APP
proDriated for the destruction of a new
weed in two three of the newest States?
Haven't the oldest States and the old
fashioned weeds the first claim? Surely if
the weed business is to become a congress
sional industry the original thirteen States,
with their many weeds Of ancient ancestry
and persistent vitality. should have the
first pull at the treasury. After these let
Maine Vermont, Ohio, Indiana, illinois,
Michigan and all the States east of the Mis-
sissiDri be cleared of their weeds and fol-
lowing these the States further West in
the order of their admission into the Union
be given precedence of the new States with
their brand new weed in this matter
OF course the Times doesn't insist that
the treasury vacuum shall be expanded into
an unreasonable void in order that the
weed-infested acres of the country may be
kept clean at the public expense. II does
not believe that Congress has the power or
that it is one of the duties of Congress to
do anything of the kind. But If, regard
less of the Constitution and common sense
Congress is to become the national weed
exterminator it, files Sere and row the
claims of priority. Let the old States be
given the first weed "diyvy" and the old
weeds be first externinated. Senator Hans
brOugh and his new Russian thistle should
be modest and wait until their elders have
been served.